New-York tribune., 1921-08-04
[ Politiics Forces
Out Assistants
OF La (1uardia
o"sted City Employees De-
clare They Refused to
Keep Jobs at Cost of Los
ing independence atPolls
Called Yellow They Say
Rathfelder Is Accused of
Neglecting Duty; $4,000
a Year Lost to Oprikofer

Two assistants of +. II. La Guarda,
President Of the Board of Aldermen.
resigned yesterday because Of alleged
political differences with their chief.
Both contended that they were forced
to resign because they refused to
pledge Mr.. La Guardia their support
at the primaries in his candidacy for
Mayor Each is a member of Repub-
lican organization. They say that
when they told Mr.. La Guardia that
they could not deliver the support of
the organizations rs the price for keep
ing their jobs they were told that they
we're "yellow" and summarily asked
to hand in their designations.
Charles Rathfelder, a Republican
leader in the Bronx, who was charged
by Mr.. La Guardia with neglect OF
1uty, is one of the men.
The other is Frederick Oppikofer. n
Republican leader in the 10Th Assembly
District, who handed in his resignation
after a conversation in which Mr., La
Guardia, according to Mr. Oppikofer,
told him it would be embarrassing to
have him as an assistant and not have
his organizations support in the
primaries.
Set Down in Writing
Mr., Oppikofer, whose salary was
$4,000 year, wrote letter in which
he said:
"a little over fifteen months ago YOU
were kind enough to honor me by ap-
pointing me as your assistant During
all that time our associations have
been most cordial and l have enjoyed
my affiliations with one who has SC
conscientiously and efficiently per
formed his official duties as you have
as President of the Board of Aldermen
and as member of the Board of Esti~
mate, the Sinking Fund Commission
and of the Armory Board
'lt is very much regretted by me
| that difference of opinion on a po-
litical question makes me feel that nv
continuance in the position to which
you so kindly designated me will be
embarrassing to you, and I herewith
respectfully tender my resignation as
assistant to the President of the Board
of Aldermen"
Decision Reached Quickly
Rathfelder said Mr. La Guardia called
him into his Office and asked him how
he stood on the primaries. He said he
replied that he would leave the ques-
tion of the primaries to the members
Of his organization.
"Why, that's yellow on your part"
said Mr.. La Guardia, according to
Rathfelder
Rathfeder said he was then given
ten minutes to make up his mind. He
made up his mind to let his organiza-
ton act Independently. he said, and
was then invited to resign.
He told me it would be very en-
barrassing to keep me in Office" said
Mr.. Rathfelder
Mr.. Rathfelder's salary was $500 a
year.
81 absolutely deny that asked either
of these men to swing their organiza-
tions to me-" said Mr. La Guardia last
night THE primary vote will show
that their districts are for me. Both
held confidential places. 1t would be
. extremely embarrassing for these men
as well IS for myself to continue in
that relationship"
Henry f. 'Curran, Republican choice
for Mayor, attacked Mr.. La Guardia' s
action.
Mr.. La Guardia has done the city's
service an injury in dismissing COM
petent employees because they would
not agree to support him as candi-
date for Mayor" said Mr., Curran. IF
city officials are to put their personal
political ambitions ahead Of the good
of the service, we are in a bad way in
deed, Least of all should such a thing
be the work of one who spends most
OF his time denouncing the bosses 1t
looks as though there were a boss in
the office of the President of the Board
OF Aldermen.
"In view of what has happened 7
want to make it perfectly plain that
none of the $500 men and women who
do the work OF my department need
worry for a moment as to whether their
political opinions and mine agree or
not Whatever they think, or however
they vote. they will be sure of their
places. All l ask Of them is that they
show their loyalty TO their city by the
excellence of their work"