The sun., 1918-08-09
LEWIS KEEPS GUNS
ON WHITMAN CAMP
Acknowledgement Asks Why
Governor Is Not Openly Sup
porting Schoeneck.
SERVICE BOARD
Failure of Shuttle System in
Subway Laid to Governors
Appointees.

THE Governor has long had a repu-
tation for ability to play the good lord
and the good devil" declared Attorney
General Merton E. Lewis yesterday in
criticising Gov. Whitman for not openly
coming out In support Of Lieut.. Gov.
Schoeneck for reconciliation to that Of
fice as against Seth G. Heacock.
Before returning to Albany late in
the afternoon the Governor In discuss
ing the reflections that have been cast
upon the Lieutenan,-3ov said he
did not have the slightest doubt as to
the loyalty OF Mr.. Schoeneck.
The Attorney-General said:
ION the subject OF the candidacy Of
former Senator Heacock the Governor
says: I shall not take sides. Both the
Lieutenant-Governor and Mr.. Heacock
have declared for me- This Is the
thought-they have declared for me
That Is all the Governor cares about
the matter. No question OF gratitude
for loyal support on the part OF the
Lieutenart-Governor during the past
four years enters into the matter. The
Lieutenant-G has declared for
me- No question about the former
Senator butting in and attempting to
smash the Governors slate. That
makes no difference. He has declared
for me-.
Lewis "Impartial Onlooker.o
Neither Is there any question about
what Is best for the party. The Gov
ernor is the party. and what Is best
for me- must be best for the parity
This clearly Is the Governors view.
k.t -. - anA
dasa county may think about the mat
ter remains to be seen. 1t may be that
the Lieutenant Governors friends will
feel that reciprocity Is to be expected
They may think that the Governor
should declare for the LIeutenant-Gov-
ernor and order the former Senator out
OF the race. Such an order doubtless
would abrogate any agreement that
may have been made between the Gov
ernors managers and former Senator
Heacock. but four years OF loyal sup
port from the Northumberland may
be thought to be sufficient to compel
the Governor TO override his campaign
managers.
The Governor has long had a repu-
tation for ability to play the good lord
and the good devil II looks TO me as
though his capacity in this direction will
be tested in this campaign. Heacock
may insist upon the support OF the Gov
ernor's jobholders' organization.
Interesting developments are more
than likely within the next few days.
so far as I am concerned l am an i'm
partial onlooker.
Returning to an attack upon the Pub
lie Service Commission Mr.. Lewis waxed
sarcastic over the transit difficulties that
resulted from the opening OF the III"
Broadside for r. n. Bowers.
The Public Service Commission has
for some time had as the chief OF its
transit bureau Mr.. Frank X. Bowers.
leader Of the Thirtieth Manhattan dis
trict." he said. Mr.. Bowers was doubt
less regarded as entirely competent for
the important and highly technical work
of this position because o. tho fact that
he made a very remarkable. although
unsuccessful, attempt to defeat Alfred
f. Smith for Sheriff. Prior 70 his as
sumption OF the position OF chief OF the
transit bureau he held various lucrative
political positions. No one OF them. so
far as the public knows. has any rela-
ton to transportation problems. hut as
district leader he was a valuable man
and as such was regarded by the Public
Service Commission as competent for
the position.
Perhaps Commissioner Kracke may feel
like shifting the respon visibility for the fail
ure OF the shuttle service to Mr.. Bowers
Possibly. too. the CHIEF assistant OF the
chief OF the transit bureau. former Jail
Warden Wright Of Greenpoint. may be
called upon to assume some share OF the
responsibility for the deplorable condi-
tons that prevail between the Grand
Central Station and Times Square. Mr.
Wrisht's experience as Jail warden.
coupled with his experience as the leader
Of the Greenpoint district. should have
qualified him to discover the defects OF
the shuttle plan.
Clearly 1t is up to the Commissioner
to shift the responsibility from himself
TO one or the other Of these technical
experts and faithful district leaders and
relieve himself as far as possible from
the censure which is now directed upon
him"