The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-23
HYLAN-TIGER SPLIT
LOOMS ON HORIZON
Hearst Anxious to Foster 1t,
but Tammany Seeks to
Delay Break.
1T FEARS FOR ELECTION
McCooey, with $4,000 Job in
Jeopardy, Also Essays
to Be Peacemaker.

Experienced prognosticators Of local
political weather conditions are watching
critically several storm clouds that have
gathered on the municipal horizon. Some
say that they are the forerunners Of the
storm that all believe will come sooner
or later In the relations between Mayor
Hylan and Tammany Hall. which much
to It's present regret put HIN in the City
Hall. Others believe thst this area OF
low pressure will blow away and that
any disturoAnxs OF great proportions
will not come yet.
Many elements in the situation must
be taken into consideration.
William Randolph Hearst has a grudge
to pay OF against Tammany Hall and
Charles F. Murphy for opposing Hearst's
ambition to become the Democratic can
didate for Governor last fall.
While Hearst in his newspapers by
attacking Gov. Whitman assisted in the
election OF Gov. Smith. he has now
broken sharply with Smith.
The Hearst influence Is now para
mount with Mayor Hylsn, and the pub
Usher undoubtedly would desire nothing
better than to bring about an open
break between the Mayor and Tam
many Hall
But while Tammany and Mr.. Murphy
have for many months had no Illusions
about the Mayor, and privately the
Tammany braves express themselves in
no equivocal terms about him, they have
no desire TO break Off diplomatic rela-
tons with the Mayor at this time. There
IA an election coming this fall. where a
Surrogate and Supreme Court Justices
and Justices of the City Court are to
be chosen. They are particularly anx-
ious not to get into a fight in which
Mayor Hylan. with the powerful backing
OF Hesrst and his newspapers. would be
arrayed against Tammany Hall. even
with the Governor OF the State or their
side.
McCooey Peacemaker Too.
For even stronger reasons John II.
McCooey, the Democratic leader OF Kings
county, is doing everything in his power
as a skilful political diplomat to pre-
vent any warfare in the Democratic
ranks at this time. He has a complete
county ticket to put through. including
two county Judges. as well as a Justice
OF the Supreme Court. And IL self-pres-
ervation is one of the strongest guides
to action, that instinct teaches him that
he cannot AFFORD to have divided party
in Brooklyn before Election Day For
Mr.. McCooey holds a $4,000 position as
chief clerk In the Surrogate's Office and
his term expires in a year or two.
From the day that Gov. Smith was
Mr.. Hearst watched every
movement for a chance to line UP against
him. He found his first excuse in the
appointment OF Judge ]. Augustus KEEL
logg as Public Service Commissioner for
the Second district. an appointment
which he criticised because the Judge
had acted as counsel for railroad in
terests
The next came when Justice Clarence
J. Shearn. who prior to his appointment
and subsequent election to the Supre me
Court bench had been known as Hearst
man, resigned. MI Hearst has asserted
that he made no suggestions for this
vacancy Be that as II may. II is be-
lieved that persons close TO him repre-
scented to the Governor that a Hearst
man should have this place. II went TO
Justice Robert L. Luce. an out and out
Tammany man. who at one time repre-
scented the New York Central interests.
Since then Mr.. Hearst has not ceased to
pound the Governor. both In his news
and editorial columns and by cartoons.
Those who know the Governor believe
there can Re no reconciliation. that the
Governor will resent these attacks at the
first opportunity, and they say he has
expressed himself as glad that Mr..
Hearst has seen ut TO bring about the
inevitable break SO soon.
How far Mayor Hylan is willing 10
go In difference to the wishes OF Mr..
Hearst and how far out OF his way he
will go to please the publisher has been
II, l..
actions and letters from time TO time.
| That Mr.. Hearst has been playing on his
political ambitions and trying to make
him believe that by cutting away from
Tammany Hall he could build UP A per-
sonal machine that would be invincibie
there seems 20 be little reason to doubt.
He Remembers Mcclellan.
But the Mayor. whatever may be said
OF him. has a native political shrewd-
ress. His present exalted position, con-
sidering his humble beginning. is evil
dencc enough of this. He does not for
get tho failure that Mayor Mcclellan
made OF his attempt to cut loose from
Tsmmany and build up a personal ma
chine. For a time Mcclellan was rea-
sorably successful, but in the end the
system" got him.
Early In the administration Mayor
Hylan tried TO run things without the
cooperation of Comptroller Craig. The
latter soon jolted him into the realiza-
ton that the Finance Department is the
heart and lungs OF any administration
and that without the Comptroller's favor
the Mayor can hope to accomplish little
constructively. Since then the two have
been playing the game together. But
the Comptrollers interests are more with
Tammany and the Mayor has little that
he can give the Comptroller.
So, while the Mayor undoubtedly will
! continue TO snipe at the Governor, as he
did In criticislng the latter's signature
OF the teachers salary bill. II may be
that he will not come TO an open battle
with Tammany at present. II he does.
Tammany will accept the hattie and
there will be a political row such as ha.
not been seen in many years.