New-York tribune., 1919-09-28
Moran Is Attacked as Mavor
Hyian's Rubber Stamp
in a Manifesto Naming
Big Campaign Committee
Judge Smith Indorsed
Civic Leaders Will Wage
Battle to Keep judiciary
From Control of Bosses

manifesto detailing its position in
the approaching municipal political
campaign was issued Yesterday by the
Citizens Union and announced the per
sonHcl Of non-partIsan committee
which Will direct its fight PRINCIPALLY
egalnst IRWIN Untermeyer, Tammany
nominee for the : Ssrrcme Court and
against Robert l.. Moran. candidate for
President OF the Bard OF Aldermen
who IS classified as a "Hyian rubber
stamp"
The committee comprises men and
women Of both major parties, includ-
ing William G.. Wilcox. Leonard +.
Wallstein. Mrs. James Lees LaidIaw
Mrs. Henry 2. Davisou, George Haven
Putnam Ogden J.. Mills and Mrs. Helen
n. Leavitt.
Predicts Real Campaign
Much has happened during the sum
mer months 20 make the coming cam
pslgn = real one" saws the announce
ment. political events of the last few
months have injected into the situa-
tion ISSUES tha, are froupht with por-
ten fcr the future Of the city. On
these issues, rather than on the per
sona-ity Of candidates or the political
precepts Of any political party, the
fghf is being vaged
In the judiciary contest these issues
are the old ones of hossism and dema-
eogism. The boss OF Tammany Hall
decreed the retlremut Of Joseph +.
Newpurger from the Supreme Court.
Justice Newburger has served on the
General Sessions and Supreme Court
benches for generation. Originally
nominated primarily because he was q
good Dmocrat. he has made a good
judge. If reelected he would still have
fo~f years TO serve before reaching
the age Of retirement. The Tammanv
boss needed his place for some one
else and turned him down in favor of
Irwin Untermeyer, thirty-three years
old, the sop Of Samuel Untermeyer.
"The Tammany boss gave as his
reason for refusing a reorganization to
Justice Newburger that he was too
old and that he had served long
enough The real reason vas that he
wanted the place for another. Why he
wanted 1t. and Why ne wanted it for
the particular man he chose. will be
fully disclosed before the campaign is
over.
Daly's Defeat Recalled
"Once before IammanY turned down
{ tried Judge for political reasons
The boss managed to get away with it
in the case oe Judge DAILY, but the po-
'itica result was felt by the organi-
latlp0 for several years.
In a lesser degree the Tammany
action on Justice Ncwburger was re-
peatec IN connection with Judge
Richard u. Smith of the City Court In
neither case is the personality Of the
candidate Of paramount Importance. 1t
IS the principle that must be defended
If iudFcshlpS are TO cease to be CON
sidercd as political spoils, and it is
on that basis that's the Citizens Union
is Undertaking to carry on an active
campaign this fall.
The issue of demagogism is in
volved in the election Of a new Presi-
deni os Board Of Aldermen to fiji
Al4red f.. Smith to the GOvernorship
a Year ago The Democrats have
nor '0ated alderman Robert L. Moran,
Of The Bronx, who, as vice-chairman,
became actiug pre- ident of the board
iast January. Moran had displayed
considerable energy and some ability
as an alderman. He has made a fair
and impartial presto ng officer.
tioran Called Rubber Stamp"
But as member OF the Board of
Estimate and Apportionment, With
three votes. he has disclosed neither
independence nor that degree of capac-
ity for his duties that should be de
manded of such an important public
Official. he has in fact been little
more than a Hyan rubber stamp.
He failed wholly to rise to the oc-
rasion and perform a high public ser
vice when he siGestepped the demand
.or an nQuiry into conditions in the
Police Department. He stood with the