New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-03
Craig May Run
For Mayor as;
Foe of Hylan
Encounters Between Two
at Estimate Board Meet
ing Viewed as Campaign
for Favor With Voters
Both Sides Rally Forces
Comptroller's Friends Hope
for Break That Will
Gain Support of Hearst

for Break That Will
Gain Support of Hearst
While the Board Of Estimate has
usually been the city governments
chief forum for acrimonious debate
and political pickering, the belligerent
alignment of IT'S members has never
been more acute than under the pres
ent Hylan administration. The almost
weekly encounters between the Mayor
and Comptroller Charles L. Craig have
increased in bitterness to a point where
local politicians are beginning to
wonder whether it is due merely to
personal antipathy or a subtle CAM
paign for preference with the voters
Cor the mayoralty candidacy next year.
The Mayors adherents in the board
improve every opportunity to initiate
attacks as we'll as to rush to the sup
port of Hylan's onslaughts directed
against the head of the Finance De-
partment. The two Republican mem
bers of the board, Borough President
Curran and Major La Guardia, presi-
dent of the Board of Aldermen, have
been known to take the Mayors side
1t has looked at times as if the Comp
troller did not have a friend on the
board.
He never fails, however, to put up
snappy fight and frequently carries
his point. Eventually some poll
ticians believe, he may be able to ac-
quire degree of public sympathy for
the treatment he receives at the hands
OF none too popular administration
and thereby increase his political
potentiality in the next city campaign.
The, idea persists in local political
circles that the Comptroller aspires to
be a candidate for the mayoralty
against Mayor Hylan next year.
Hope for Hearst Influence
Some of his friends point to the fact
Hearst in the successful fight Mr.. Craig
waged against the proposal of the
mitchell administration for the West
Side improvement in Riverside Park,
and are hopeful that break may &C.
cur between the Mayor and the editor
which might throw the Hearst influence
to- Craig in another municipal CAM
paign. Under present conditions, how
ever, political leaders opposed to the
X,
NO politician would venture the sug-
gestion that Tammany would indorse
Craig IN preference to Hylan.
The Mayors friends declare that he
IS due for denomination at the hands of
Tanmany. They point out that he has
taken good care Of the Murphy organi-
cation men and been guided to a salts
factory extent by the dictates of the
Democratic leaders. The same is true
Of al
Mr.. Hearst and Mr.. Hylan, the proteges
OF the former having received lucrative
appointments from the Mayor. But the
Hearst support is not considered as re-
liable as that Of the Fourteenth Street
organization, although it is more ap-
parent. That has been the experience
OF Hearst favorites in the past
=, The politicians believe that the
Mayor would seek to strengthen his po-
sition in Tammany Hall and sacrifice
the political friendship of Mr.. Hearst,
Il the situation demanded choice.
Most Of the Tammany leaders did not
want Mayor Hylan nominated in 1917.
There is no doubt about that, as there
ts no doubt now that the popularity of
the Mayor has greatly Increased in
fammany circles since he took Office.
Combination To Be Fought
Those who credit the Mayor with an
ambition to be renominated declare
that his chief concern is to bring Tam
many Hall and Mr. Hearst together
prior to the next municipal campaign,
and combine their support for his can.
didacy. There have been many In
stances during the last few months OF
the Mayors efforts in this direction
but they have been crowned with little
success SO far as the politicians can
see at this time. Comptroller Craig's
friends are ready to put any obstacles
in the way, of the accomplishment OF
such combination. They realize that
the Craig chances would fade into OBJ.
livion.
Meanwhile, it is a question. whether
the Comptroller is gaining either sym
pathy or popularity in his attitude of
"hold-up" man in the Board of EST
mate. While he blames the Mayor and
other members of the board for delays
and dilatory tactics on city government
matters, similar charges are hurled
back at the Comptroller with the force
OF a majority which seems to carry
associates accuse him Of going to ex.
tremes which tend to obstruct the
proper functioning Of the city govern
ment.
Complaints do not all come from
members Of the Board Of Estimate. The
Comptroller has incurred the displeas.
ure of city employees for holding up
been pay for school teachers, the teach
ers' sick funds, as well as money due
city employees in other departments
or per diem or short contract labo,
hired by the witty outside Of its regula,
employees.
Borough Heads Charge Hold.Ups
The Borough Presidents Of Manhat.
tan and Queens. although Of opposite
political faiths, are persistent in thei.
charges of "hold-ups" and unwasranted
delays because Of the action Of the
Comptroller. Upon such occasions they
are usually in accord with the Mayor
who has onanlv asaertad at tha rnank