New-York tribune., 1918-05-12
Wilson Men Suggest Ex-
Envoy as Democratic Nom
inee for Governor
Admit Editor Can
Head State Ticket
But He May Pass 1t Up in
Deal to Get Presidential
Nomination

Democrats opposed to the ambition
of William Randolph Hearst to be their
party's candidate for Governor this fall
are bossa >iug to lose hope. Hearst
con*rols the situation. If he wants the
nomination he can have it.
This is the belief of Democratic lead
ers Of all shades, and with very few ex-
ceptions they are opposed to Hearst.
But the two big leaders Of the party in
the state, Charles F. Murphy, of Tam
many, and "Fingey" Corners, his vice
regent in Buffalo, are with Hearst, and
between them they control enough lead
ers to nominate any candidate.
Administration Alarmed
Washington is perturbed over the
situation, The members of the Presi-
dents official family, who have keen
interest in the success of the ticket
here next fall, are doing their bit to
spike Hearst's guns.
But they are doing it by stealth
They have not come out in the open.
They dare not give outward expression
to their opinions for fear of Hearsts
vtriolic pen. And they fear that if
ne is nominated-as all believe he will
be if he goes into the primaries-he
will destroy whatever chance the Demo-
cratic party has in the state and
through the attacks that are certain to
be made on him on his war record will
bring odium on the party the country
over.
This is how the Wilson Administra-
ton views the situation here" said
Democratic leader who attended the
conference at the National Democratic
Club on Friday. ut believes that it
has good fighting chance of keeping
The Senate Democratic if Hearst is not
knows that as things stand now the
House is certain to go Republican. But
it believes that Hearst's candidacy
would mean that the Republicans would
use his war record as an argument why
voters of other states should not give
their suffrage to the candidates of
party which would stand for man
with Hearst's war record And while
the argument would not be exactly fair
it would be made, and it would carry
weight. The eyes of the country are
always centred on New York State
during an election, and charges made
here by either side find publication in
newspapers throughout the land. And
the things which would be said about
Hearst would not help the fight out
any"
Many Favor Gerard
The Tribune's informant declared
that Washington had no candidate, but
would lend its support to any anti
Hearst candidate. Some of the anti
Hearst men in this state are now look
ing to James W. Gerard, former Am
bassador to the Kaser's Court, as one
of several who may save the situation.
1T was learned yesterday that, at the
Democratic conference here on Friday
the availability of Judge Gerard was
discussed.
Joseph Murphy, the Democratic lead
er OF Rensselaer,, and an avowed anti
Hearst man, is said to be one of the
upstate leaders who want to see
Gerard nominated.
Judge Gerard" said close friend
Of his yesterday, ais the one man in
the state available to the Democrats
who has any of the war glamour
around him. l believe he is the one
man IN the Democratic party who could
give Whitman, who is going to run
u.
Gerard is 100 per cent American, and
the film dramatization of his book, NV
Four Years in Germany, will be
familiar, we expect, to at least 75 per
cent of the people of the state before
August l. This will help him consider
ably"
Asked his opinion of Hearst's
chances, the Gerard advocate said:
Hearst can get the nomination if
he wants it. He made a bargain last
year with the Chief (Charles F. Muir
phy) and he kept his part. He with
drew in favor of Hylan and helped elect
him and the whole city ticket. And the
Chief is good man to work with. His
word is as good as his bond. But
Hearst hasn't Chinaman's chance of
beating Whitman. and Hearst knows
At. But he is like the dog in the
manger: he can't eat the oats and
won't let the horse eat them.
Hearst Agents Busy
Hearst is getting his organization
INTO lighting trim. His agents are
touring the State and keeping in active
touch with leaders and near leaders in
every county. Hearst has always been
a good spender. If Hearst does not