New-York tribune., 1922-08-18
Collalan Urged
To Make Race
Az Independent
Leaders Want Surrogate
Turned Down by Murphy
and koenig to Oppose
the Machine Candidate
Tamrnany Fesld Revealed
Friends Compare Position
With That of Neuberger,
Who Won at Such Odds

Surrogate John p. Cohalan. who was
| rejected for denomination by the Exec
utive Committee of Tammany Hall
and the New York County Republican
Committee, of which Charles F.. MUIR
ply and Samuel S. Koenig are the con-
trolling factors, was urged yesterday
by prominent Republican and Demo-
cratic lawyers to enter the primaries
against the machine candidates.
The rejection of Cohalan wag due To
nine year old row between Murphy
and the Surrogate. At that time Co
haian attempted to learn the reason for
Murphy's opposition TO q bill simed at
correcting abuses in the administration
of the estates of the dead.
What business is it of yours ?s'
snapped Murphy at the Surrogate, turn
Ing on his heel.
You'll find out before get out of
Office" replied Surrogate Cohalan, and
you can go straight to hell
Never Spoke Again
Cohalan never spoke after that. 1t
was Cohaian's efforts to stop the sys-
tenn of having the State Comptroller
name the transfer tax appraisers Of the
estates of the dead that caused the
break. Surrogate Cohalan, who had
been state Senator, knew of corrup-
tion which existed in the State Comp
troller's Office, This was brought to
light later.
In 1911 Cohalan had bill intro
duced in the Legislature giving the
naming of transfer tax appraisers 90
the Surrogates of the various counties.
who could keep a check on their work.
I ~ - ,Ny.
Dix, Democrat, for signing. At that
time Cohalan became i'll. During this
illness the bill was vetoed.
In 1913 Surrogate Cohalan again in
troduced the measure, which was in
dorssd by practically all the Surrogates
| in the state. Friends in Albany told
him that Murphy had sent instructions
| that the bill be killed in committee.
Cohalan then went to Murphy and in
CURED the reason. Then the break
occurred which led to his rejection
Wednesday for denomination,
May Run as Republican
Prominent Republican leaders whose
| influence Is statewide declared yester-
| day that Koenig in not nominating Co.
halan after he had baen indorsed by
the Bar Association had let slip an
| opportunity to repeat the victory of
three years ago when the Republicans
nominated Supreme Court Justice Neu-
berger, also Tammany man, after
Murphy turned him down for renomi-
| nation under somewhat similar condi-
tions. Not only was Judge Neuberger
elected, but the Republicans, for the
first time in the history of the Greater
| City, elected straight ticket. This
was when F. H. La Guardia was elected
President of the Board of Aldermen
and Henry II. Curran was chosen Bor-
ough PRECEDENT.
! Some Republicans yesterday ex-
pressed the belief that Surrogate CO.
halan might yet be named on the Re-
publican ticket, This could be done by
Frank j. Coleman declining TO run, in
which event the committee of vacancies
could name Cohalan. These Republi-
cans believe such move would add
/ considerable strength to the Republi-
can ticket throughout the state
In Tammany circles yesterday it was
reported that after Corporation Coun-
sci 0'Brien retires from his present
job William Randolph Hearst will
have the naming Of his successor. II
was rumored that the place might &c
to William A. De Ford, Mr.. Hearst's
personal counsel and one Of his polit-
ical advisers.