New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-11
7 ak Of
City Hall

II Mr.. Murphy could read the answer
behind Justice Cropsey's sphinx-like
silence he could tell whether to NOM
mate a highbrow or Al Smith Tor
Mayor, whether to defy or conciliate
Mr.. Hearst-he could, in fine, play
better game of golf at Good Ground
The Big Chief is something OF
sphinx himself, as everybody knows,
but he seems to have met his match.
Mr.. Cropsey, on the other hand, is
reasonably certain of what is transpir-
ing in Mr.. Murphy's mind, but he would
like to know how long the boss can hold
out against the pressure TO name MS
candidate. There is the embarrassing
activity of the committee on nomlna-
tons of the Democratic Fusion Com
mittee, for example. This committee
was constituted originally as a mask
for the Tigers grinning countenanee'
and yet it came dangerously near rune
tioning on its own account Ihursday
evening when William B. Ellison's name
came up. Only the timely interposition
of United States Marshal Mccarthy
prevented disaster. Are Murphy's
nerves good for much more Of that sort
of punishment before he comes out un-
equvocally for the man he wants, re-
CARELESS of uncertainties
The Brooklyn justice would much
prefer to have the Wigwam name its
candidate for Mayor before he an
nounces whether or not he will oppose
Mayor Mitchell. He is waiting on Muir
ply, and Murphy is waiting on him, and
both are keeping their own counsel.
But Cropsey has just shade the better
of his opponent. No one can pretend 70
read his mind as they have Murphy's.
He has never given the remotest public
intimation that he would or would not
run for Mayor. His past performances
shed little light on the enigma. And II
he never makes any public announce
ment of his decision the only losers
will be in the Tammany camp. He can
afford to wait, but Murphy sooner or
later must act.
II is not only County Clerk Schne'-
der's pestiferous fusion COMMITTEES
that is giving Charlie Murphy prickly
heat. Mr.. Hearst has begun reverting
to type in disquieting manner, An
emisssry of the editor let Mr.. Schnol-
der's committee know that If 1t per-
sisted in its threat to nominate Mr..
Ellison, Mr.. Hearst would support
Cropsey Any ones guess is interest
ing as TO the motive for such mes
sage.
Of course, Ellison, as Mayor Nc
Clellan's counsel in the recount hight,
would naturally be associated in
Hearst's mind with bitter memories.
There are some who think this suf-
ficient ground for the editors threat
But opportunists do not as rule fos-
ter ancient grudges. Does Mr.. Hesrst
yearn for the nomination himself, now
that it begins TO look as if it might be
a walk-over for the Tammany candl-
date? Or has he some one else in
mind for the Job, who would prove
more tractable than Mr.. Ellison?
1t is an interesting situation as be-
tween Hearst and Murphy. With Crop
sey in the field. Hearst has an alterna-
tive to Tammany as an instrument
with which to defeat Mitchell. Perhaps
he feels that he can play one off
against the other in driving a hard
bargain. But with Cropsey running
Murphy becomes less dependent on
Hearst's help. If only he could know
for sure that the justice would run!
Hearst can trade on the mere prospect
of CropsCy ticket, but Murphy de-
mands a certainty. Meanwhile, the
justice simply smiles and waits.