New-York tribune., 1919-08-19
Snniith-E1ylan
" ar Ibblazes
/ rom Strike
Open Conflict Now On
Between the Governor,
Backed by Murphy, and
Mayor, Aided by Hearst

Wsr between Governor Smith and
Mayor Hylan, which has been brew
ing for some time, vas declared yes
tcrday. Behind tho Governor stands
Charles T. Murphy and most of the
rank and file Of Tammany Hall. Will
lam R. Hearst is Hylans ally.
Governor Smitl, took the step which
constituted tacit declaration OF hos
tilitics He went to the Offices of the
Public Service Commission yesterday
and conferred With Commissioner Lewis
Nixon on some way TO- bring about
settlement Of the lnterborough strike
He did not ask Mayor Ilylan. or any
of his associates who have been striv-
ing to bring about a solution OF the
traction problem. to attend
Those conversant with state and city
politics interpret this action of the
Governor as deliberate afTront a
throwing down of tho gantlet to Hears
and Hylan
"The var is on, members Of Tam
MANY Hall assert
Quarrel Gradual, Grows
Democratic party here has been 81
gradn.l growth no love has ever been
lost between Smith and iiyian. Il has
been no secret that while Smith was at
City Tall as President Of the Board
OF Aldermen he hoid the Mayor in lit
tic esteem. For some time now cnl-
thcr has spoken willingly to the otheY.
Tammany b5 yesterdays open break
has been placed in 2 somewhat delicate
position scores Of the momhers of
tho wigNam are holding Office under
tho Nylar admin'strafion The var
is gong to make things decidedly un-
comfortable for them.
Smiths chief ally Murphy, ha~ been
unwilling. it j. understood, 20 bring
matters to an opon break Younger
men in Tammanv Hall, who sec IN Che
Governor the future leader OF the OF
ganizaton. have been eager Tor some
tire 10 begin hostilities against i'ylan
and Hearst Now that these have start
cd. Murphy viii urquestionably sup
port smith Nears' VIII. as rndoubt-
eddy ally himself with the Mayor.
Hearst Suppor, Lulscwafm
During Smiths carlpaign for Cover
nor the Hearst organ were only lnte-
warm in their support of him. They
actually Joined his banner only after a
Hearst representative had obtained a
mild Endorsement from Smith of the
Hearst plan for the municipal owner
ship cf all public utilities.
The Legislature completed It's first
session without any displar Of enthu
siaem oil the part Of tho Governor for
Hearst's pet idea. Meanwhile the
Hearst papers we're outspoi,en IN their
approval Of the liylan administration.
and the Mayor and The publisher we're
on intimate terms.
The clouds bean 10 gather when
Governor Smith, dlsregardlNg the pro
tests Of Hearst, appointed Robert E.
Luce 10 the Supreme Court bench. Int
mcdiately the Hearst papers opened
fire on the Governor with editorial and
cartoon, oersuring him for the aP-
pointment Of d former attornc! Tor
the New York Central, and following
up this attack b. lampooniNg HIM as a
friend OF the MIX Trust and the
slayer Of the babies Of the poor who
had been denrlved Of their milk.
ramnany Ipi,olds Smith
A few days ago. when Tammany de-
cided on its city and county slate. II
was Flcarst's expressed wish that jus
tice Luce be kept off the country ticket.
Tammany's reply, probably inspired by
Smith. was to name him.
In the mean time Commissioner
Nixon had advocated an increased fare
for the Interborough. This brought
forth more hostile editorials and car
toons in the Hearst papers. Mayor
Hylan. backed by Hearst, opposed an
increase.
At the meeting to avert the strike
held in the City Hall Saturday repre-
sentative of Hearst WAS on hand. and
during the proceedings held a whis-
pered conference with Hylan. Al its
conclusion the Navor asked Fran:
Hedley. general manager of the Inter
borough. II he would turn his lines
over to the city, since he had testfie ed
they were financially "busted.' Hcdley
said he would not
Since then Hylan and Hearst have
been charg ing that the strike was a
conspiracy between employees and en-
ployers of the lnterborough to get ar
increased fare.