New-York tribune., 1920-01-02
Republicans Welcome Them
at City Hall as Mayor
Denounces *sEnemies'' in
New Years Day Speech
Masses of Floral Gifts
Moran Fails to Appear to
Welcome Man Who De-
feated Him atFall Election


ing to congratulate the new President
of the Board of Aldermen, Major F. H.
La Guardia, and the new President of
the Borough of Manhattan, Major
Henry H. Curran. Both spent upward
of four hours, from II o'clock in the
morning, when they were formally in
Quoted into office, until in the after
noon, when they closed their offices
for the day, shaking hands with we'll
wishers.
Mr.. Curran held his reception in his
office in the Municipal Building, while
Mr.. La Guardia, after being sworn in
by his old friend, Supreme Court JUS
tice. Phillip ]. McCook-also a major
in the war and one of the Republicans
swept into office in the recent anti
Tammany wave, kept open house on
the main floor of the City Hall, where
his office will be for the next two
years.
Mayor Renews Attacks
At the other end of the City Hall, in
the Mayors office, Mayor Hylan read
q speech to large number Of his Of
fee holders and relatives, many of
whom he placed On the city payroll. In
his address the Mayor renewed his at
tacks on all those who disagreed with
him as he did in his "Christmas Greet
ings to the People of the City of New
York; and on other occasions.
After he delivered this address the
Mayor with Mrs. Hylan called on Mr..
La Guardia to pay his respects. 1t hap
pened at that moment that Mr.. Curran
happened to be present bent on the
same errand, and so the Mayor and
Mrs. Eylan also extended a welcome to
i, Mr.. and Mrs. Curran. After the Mayor
ana Mrs. Hylan returned to the other
end of the corridor Mr.. La Guardia,
with Mrs. La Guardia and Mr.. and Mrs
Curran returned the call.
When Mr.. La Guardia reached the
City Hall to take possession of his Of
hce, there was considerable comment
caused by the failure of the retiring
President. Robert L. Moran, whom La
Guardia defeated last November, to be
on hand to greet him. In fact, ex-Presi-
dent Moran did not put in an appear
ance at ali, nor did he send word ex-
planning his absence.
AT the Municipal Building the retir-
Ing President of the Borough of Man
haitian, Michael F. Loughman, was on
hand to welcome his successor and turn
over the Office to him. In wishing Mr..
Curran success, Mr. Loughman referred
to the administration of the late Frank
L. Bowling, whose death made the con-
test for the Manhattan Borough Pres-
dency, as one of sympathy and eff
cheney.
Mr.. Curran's Reply
ut is strange turn Of the political
cards that should succeed one of nv
nearest and dearest friends, Frank
DOV-lInpS - ID &c
fairer, squarer man, never lived than
he. 1t is indeed an honor to succeed
him. My department will work as a
team 10 guarantee efficiency. The one
object of my administration will be
to serve the people Of the City of New
After Mr.. Curran had taken Office he
announced three more appointments
including William Goldstecker as sec
retary to the Superintendent Of BuiIJ-
ings- Mr.. Goldstecker was an Assistant
Corporation Counsel in the Mitchell Ad-
mlnlstration; William j. Lyons, brother
OF John j. Lyons, ,Curran campaign
manager, as confidential inspector, and
Harry j: Stanton as stenographer.
The Offices of Presidents Curran and
La Guardia were literally filled with
floral tributes, including tokens from
the firemen and the. police, who we're
promised square deal By both men
after Mayor Hylan and his Tammany
associates on the Board of Estimate re-
fused to give them increases that we're
characterized as fair, just and reason
able
A big horseshoe of American Beauty
roses in Mr.. La Guardia's chambers
bore the legend: "Success-from the
unlformed Firemcn's Association of
Almost evarv Italter uo~;a4,. c
IN the city and envi~ops sent floral
offerings to Mr.. La Guardia. And mem
bers OF the numerous Italian colonies
in the metropolitan district trooped in
and out all during the reception Thev
were OF all walks of life. and they
came in couples and in squads. A dele
cation of more than a score OF Italian
physicians and surgeons, headed by Dr.
group to felicitate Mr. La Guardia.
. Cs. TAvorini and his delegation
we're entering Mr.. La Guardia's Office
tney stopped stock still as a tremend-
ous burst Of applause came from the
other end OF the corridor. For a mo-
ment they were undecided il they were
entering the right room, but continued
on their way when told that it was the
Mayors party applauding the Mayors
speech.
Mayor Is Ingenious
In his speech, which the Mayor read
he made an ingenious reply to the
criticisms which have been levelled al
him Tor the removal of "Honest Dam
Costiyan from head Of the vics Squad
and for causing other changes in the
Poiice Department, which his critics
nave charged have brought about a
generalization OF the force, resulting
tn an unprecedented crime wave.
In past administrations" said the
saayor, ''prominent men, hiding behind
corporate names. connected with So
called reform societies. certain hotel
proprietors, gambling clubs and fra
ternities, have been proftinp by deal
inss with tho underworld. They find
1t necessary TO keep in very close
touch with the policy Of the Police De-
partment and the high police officials,
70 that disorderIy hotels, gambling
dens and the underworld generally
may know more about what |s going
on at police headquarters than some OF
the high police officials. It was
formerly common occurrence for men
connected with some Of the leading pa
pers and on most friendly terms with
gamblers and keepers Of disorderiy ho-
tells TO be seen in very close communion
with high officials Of the Police De-
partment at luncheon and places of
amusement
@1n fact police headquarters was tho
rendezvous of the agents of the under
world WIN fnnnA ~ nxraHinr< tn knv.