The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-03
ALBANY HEARS OF
DEMOCRATIC SPLIT
McAdOO and Palmer Factions
Seek Delegation Control,
Report.
COUNTY CHAIRMEN MEET
Governor and Brady Interests
Said to Favor Attorney
General.

Special Despatch TO THE Sun.
ALBANY, Oct 2-According to a story
In circulation here to-day a contest over
the control Of the New York State dele
CATION to the next Democratic national
convention already Is in progress and a
serious split in the State organization is
pending.
The fight. 1t is said, Is between the
friends Of William @. McAdoo. former
Secretary of the Treasury, and Of At
torney-deneral A Mitchell Palmer
This interesting piece of gossip, which
was passed around the corridors of the
Ten Eyck Hotel, where a meeting of the
Democratic county chairmen and State
committeeman was in progress, was to
the effect that Gov. Smith and w. w.
Farley. chairman OF the State commit
tee. had lined up behind the candidacy
of Attorney-General Palmer. 1t was
stated the Attorney General would have
the backing of the wealthy Brady inter-
ests. which are connected with many
public service corporations not only in
this State, but in others parts of the
country as well.
To offset the influence of Gov. Smith
and the State chairman, the story ran.
committee of 100 to work in the in
terests of former Secretary McAdoo
would be organized within two weeks.
Much quiet work already had been done
for Mr.. McAdoo among the Democratic
leaders throughout the State, and the
fact that only a meagre number of them
appeared at the meeting to-day was
asserted to be due to the fact that they
are not in sympathy with the interest
that Gov. Smith and Chairman Farley
have shown in the boom of Attorney
General Palmer.
Name McAdOO Backers.
The story, which was told in much de-
tall was to the effect that the move
ment for Mr.. McAdoo would have the
backing of Franklin d. Roosevelt. AS
sistant Secretary of the Navy former
Gov. Martin H Glynn and OF course the
active cooperation of Byron d. Newton,
Collector of the Port and a former AS
sistant Secretary Of the Treasury.
No name was mentioned for chairman
of the McAdoo committee, but 1t was
said that Joseph J. Wallace of Rome
would be secretary and John Boyd
Thatcher, Jr., son of former Mayor Of
Albany, would be treasurer.
Among others to whom invitations to
serve on the McAdoo executive commit
tee will be sent, 1t was stated, were
Norman E. Mack. former chairman Of
the national committee; William H.
Kelly OF Syracuse, who was one of the
active supporters of Gov. Smith for
nomination to that office, but has since
broken with him: William II. Fitzpatrick,
the Buffalo boss; Mayor Cornelius r.
Burns of Troy, Mayor John Fitzgibbons
of Oswego, former Public Service Com
missioner Winfield s. Huppuch OF Hud-
son Falls. John K. Sague OF Poughkeepsie
and former Representative George r.
Lunn of Schenectady.
Charles F. Murphy. the Big Boss who
rules the destinies Of Tammany Hall,
and John H. McCooey, his lieutenant in
charge of the Kings county post, would
not be sighted. II was said, in passing
around the complimentary tickets for
the McAdoo band wagon.
Back Murphy for Judge.
In connection with the moves on the
Democratic political chessboard 1t was
said that Gov. Smith and Chairman
Farley were backing Edward Murphy
I'd, brother of Joseph ]. Murphy, the
Troy leader, for appointment by Attor-
ney-General Palmer as Federal Judge
to succeed Judge George w. Ray of
Norwich, who Is to retire soon. This Is
locked upon as a move to placate Joe"
Murphy, who fell out with Gov. Smith
for bringing about the retirement of one
of Murphy's lieutenants from the fat
office OF Superintendent of Public
Buildings Joe" Murphy had as much
to do with the movement that brought
about the nomination of Gov. Smith as
any leader in the State and he wields
a deal of influence not only in his own
county but in others.
The meeting of the county chairmen
and State committeeman was called by
Chairman Farley at the suggestion OF
Gov. Smith ostensibly to consider pro-
gramme of social welfare legislation to
be offered at the next session OF the
Legislature. Many women leaders were
present, but the prominent men leaders
were most conspicuous by their absence
Following an afternoon session there
was a reception at the Executive Man.
sion. Tonight Gov. Smith made an adj
dress In which he said a special effort
must be made to get Democratic AS
sembly this fall. II they hoped to have
any success with the Democratic legis
lative programme next winter.
A resolution expressing regret at tho
illness OF President Wilson and hoping
he would soon be able to resume his
work was passed. The ratification of
the peace treaty without reservations
was advocated.
As a final thought some one suggested
that some financial assistance be given
to Miss Mary Dickinson, the Democratic
candidate for the Assembly against
Speaker Thaddeus C. Sweet in Oswego
county. When the hat had been passed
all around It was found that as much
as $125 had been contributed.