The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-07-23
CITY WILL Be
SPECTATOR IN
STATE CONTEST
Edgar Will Vote for Roberts,
Johnson for Crabtree While
Mayor and Two Commits
SionerS Are Neutral.

Coy. Roberts and w. r. Crabtree,
Candidates for the Democratic nomina-
tlon for governor in the August cleo
ton, will have an even break in the
support of the city administration
John q. Edgar commissioner Of fire
and police, will vote for Gov. Roberts
horace Johnson, commissioner of public
utilities, will vote for Crabtree Mayor
PANE and Commissioners Shannon and
Allen are not committing themselves
1t is understood that the mayor and
the two commissioners who decline TO
be quoted are fearful of the effect
statement from them relative to their
preference, would have on the employees
OF the city. They are apprehensive that
an inkling of their inclination would
cause the employees of the city to fall
S Ssts themselves nf .h, to support the candi-
lay them open to the charge of taking
part in politics. The entire city adj
ministration since it's advent into the
city's affairs has maintained an atti-
tude Of complete aloofness from any
thing savoring of politics They went
into office on pledge of that kind
and propose to abide by it.
Commissioner Edgar is in the same
boat with the mayor and the other two
commissioners He notified the police
and others under the jurisdiction of his
department that they are to take no
part in politics, and the fact that he
viii vote for Gov. Roberts is to be
than his personal preference. Commits
sioner johnson has taken the same at
titude.
Not only will the city, employees be
left to their individual preference, but
they must not exceed that right and
must not, according TO intructions that
have been issued attempt to use their
influence with others.
Times Have Changed.
In other days 1t was considered not
only good politics but good business for
the city administration to be on friendly
terms with the state administration.
The legislature never meets that the
shelby delegation does not go to Nash
vile with a trunk full of legislation
and IT is not unusual for some dissen.
sion to arise IN the delegation itself
over some Of tEa proposed matters. In
such cases the powers IN authority
usually have the support of a friendly
executive and his friends in office and
in the legislature. II was a good stroke
Of policy for the city authorities and
the state authorities to be on the best
OF terms with the governor unuer OBJ
legation to the city.
The mayor and commissioners Will
resort to none of the accustomed tao
ties of'former administrations, They
viii consider carefully the legislation
they contemplate and have the. legal
department prepare measures for intro
duGbioH py tine members OI lile leBlH-
lative delegation, and then as digpi-
suit. 9#
There is less prospect of dissenson
on the legislative delegation this year
than formerly Practically all of the
nominees are of the same faction and
have gone down the line on local fights
together, Four of them served before
in the legislature and have creditable
records
The attitude of the administration In
adhering strictly to its expressed pol
icy of remaining nonpolitical makes 1t
necessary for the friends of Gov. Rob
erts outside of city circles to perfect
some Kind OF organization in Memphis.
The visit of Senator Fisher, campaign
manager for Gov. Roberts, and John
3. Thomason, state comptroller, in be-
half Of Gov Roberts. is said to have
awakened some interest among the
voters of the county and 1t is possible
that within the next week something
.may be done to perfect ait orgariza-
ton.
Labor for Crabtree.
on the other hand. the union labor
vote, according to expressions from To-
cal leaders, will be cast practically SOL
idly for Crabtree The strike of the
city firemen and the sympathy eX-
pressed for them by other labor Or
CARNATIONS has resulted in establish
"
of union labor
The labor leaders are confident that
they can carry the county Tor Crabtree
and thus demonstrate that the senti-
pent of the community Is opposed to
the policy Gov Roberts has followed
in putting down labor disturbances In
Industrial centers. The success OF
Crabtree in Shelby county would, they
believe, go even farther toward notify
ing the city that the sentiment Of the
lie wifi ha a mr.
the city government.
The attitude of the city in not adyo-
eating Gov. Roberts Is taken by la
Dor men to indicate that the city does
not accept the challenge to make the
fight test between the city and the
on the other hand the city stands
by its former announcement not to be-
come involved in politics just as II
stands on it's determination not TO have
a unionized fire department. The city
regards the firemen's strike as beaten
- and is so well satisfied with express
Sons of approval that 1t sees no al
vantage in recognizing any issue IN
which, the question Of unionism might
The pfesence of troops in Memphis,
diverted here on their way to encamp-
ment, caused the feeling among union
men to flare up against the governor
after the city authorities explained that
they knew nothing about the purpose
in sending them here. However, Gen
Sweeney, acknowledgement of the state,
was in the city some days before the
two companies were sent to Memphis,
and unsil 1t was determined to send
the troops away there was talk of en-.
PERTAINING them at the Chamber oil
Commerce.
Gov. Roberts knew nothing about the
troops coming TO Memphis until they
were here. Gen. Sweeney sent the
troops here on his own responsibility