The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1921-08-03
la ACUARD|A GUSTS
2G.O.P. .CH|EFSF0R
STAND ON.PR|MARY
Oppikofer and Rathfelder Boil,
Say Aldermanic President
Demanded Support.
ARE DISTRICT LEADERS.
Stormy Interviews Preceded
Action by Aspirant to
Mayoralty.

Two Republican district leaders
were violently separated from their
jobs n the Office Of Aldernanic Presi .
dent F. H. La Guardia to-day be-
cause they would not promise to sup
port she Major in his primary contest
for the Republican nomination for
Mayor.
Frederick Oppikofer of No. 27o1
First Street, Brooklyn, leader Of the
Sixteenth District. which embraces
Coney Island, resigned his $1,000 tot,
as assistant to the President when he
was informed THAT his presence
around the Office would be enubar-
RAISING If he could not promise the
support of his organization to his
superior.
Charles Rathfelder of No. $40
East 156th Street, the Bronx, leader
of the 1st Assembly District in that
borough and an examiner in the
office of the President of the Board
of Aldermen, at salary of $4,000 a
year, was dismissed "for being ap-
sent without satisfactory reasons
and for making statements to news
paper men which were not war
ranted by the facts" according TO
his letter of dismissal. Rathfelder
also resigned, but his letter of resig-
nation reached La Guardia after he
had been fired.
Mr.. Oppikofer said, after quitting
his JOB, that La Guardia sent for him
this morning and asked him where he
stood in the matter of support of the
candidates for Mayor in the primary.
The Coney Island leader said lie
hadn't made up his mind. Aidermanic
President La Guardia, he said, in
sisted on getting a pledge from him
and he finally told his boss:
IF my continuation in your office
depends on my promise to support
you / resign.
Forthwith he prepared letter oi
resignation. He has been IN office
little over fifteen months.
Mr.. Rathfelder declares that Mayor
La Guardia send for him at 10 O'Clock
to-day and said, where do you
stand in this primary fiSht" Rath-
felder replied, he says, that he had
not made up his mind what action
he would take regarding the quar-
tettl of nominees in the coming Re
publican primaries.
La Guardia then asked MIN Rath
fielder said. "Well, whom are you
going to support? | want TO know
/ Rathfelder said he hadn't decided and
La Guardia, he asserts. gave MIN Tel
minutes TO decide. Al ten minutes
I past 10, Rathfelder was sent for again
| he declares and the Alderman
| President repeated the question, tc
which Rathieidcr replied: Il WI
! leave that matter to my district or
| ganization.'
What" calculated the ex-aviator
your organization. Why that's yel
! low"---
Il owe some allegiance to my or
ganization," Rathfelder rejoined, u
which La Guardia replied, according
to Rathfciuer: What has the or
ganization go: 10 do with this; don
you know the primary law" Rath
fielder said he did, and he bowed HI!
way out. RSthfelder immediatel,
prepared his resignation.
La Guardia this afternoon said Mr.
Rathfelder was dismissed for th'
reasons stated in the letter. lie de
clined to discuss the matter further
He did say, however, that he woulC
run even with Henry II. Curran in th'
primaries in Manhattan, carry rh'
Bronx, Queens and Richmond anS
Haskell will chew Curran up IL
Brooklyn"
He said he had received assur
anccs from quite a few Republican
district leaders, particularly Mrs
Olive Scott Gabriel, leader Of the dis
trict in which Curran resides.
Fred Oppikofer of No. 275 Wes
First street, Brooklyn, assistant T.
President La Guardia, sent in his res
ignation to-day. He Is Rcpublici,
ieadtr IN the l6tn \ scInD!y Dis
trict, Kings County.