New-York tribune., 1922-04-07
nithWon'tRul,
For Governor:
May for Senate
Reaffirms His Decision TO
Remain in the Trucking
Business After Holding
Conference With Murphy
Party Might Draft Him
Could Not Operate Firm
From Albany, but Could
Do So in Federal Post

Former Governor Alfred T. Smith,
following a conference with Charles F.
Murphy at Tammany Hall yesterday
afternoon, virtually took himself out Of
the Governorship race this year by de-
claring that he had decided to remain
in the trucking business.
Mr.. Smiths declaration is accepted
by the Tammany men as clear init
nation that while he will not be a
candidate for Governor he might be
willing to be drafted for the United
States Senatorship, il the state conven-
tion so decides.
A Tribune reporter talked with the
former Governor as he was leaving
the Wigwam. where he shook hands
with many long time friends.
Will Stay in Trucking Business
az am going to stay in the trucking
business. That's what I've been saying
right along and I haven't changed my
mind said Mr.. Smith.
"You may be drafted by the state
convcntion,' it was suggested.
~ am not setting myself up as reg
ulating the party or the affairs of the
nation" said the Ex-Governor. but l
am regulating the affairs OF Al Smith,"
1t is generally conceded that the for
mer Governor could not remain as head
of the United States Trucking Corpo-
ration, which yields him an income Of
about $4,000 year, and be a candi-
date for Governor, for the reason that
as Governor, if elected, his official acts
would clash with the corporation. Mr..
Smith has other corporation connec-
tions, all of which he would have to
drop if he became candidate for Gov
ernor.
Likely To Be Nominated for Senator
AS for the Senatorship, the consensus
Of judgment at Tammany Hall yester-
day was that while Mr.. Smith is not
likely to be nominated for Governor,
he isemore than likely to be named for
United States Senator
The conditions that would impel him
to drop his corporation connections as
a candidate for Governor do not obtain
with the Senatorship. 1t is generally
admitted that the former Governor
would not lose votes as candidate
for Senator if he retained his connec-
tion with the United States Trucking
Corporation.
His elimination from the gov
ernorship situation, if it should turn
out that way, leaves the field open
for other aspirants. 1t is understood
that Mayor George R. Lunn of Sche-
HcCtduS, IOfIUcT Governor MalIln II.
Glynn, of Albany, and Commissioner
of Public Welfare Bird s. Coer are
avowed candidates, with the former
Governor out of the race
There is a possibility. also, that
Charles F. Murphy and Mayor Hylan
will undertake the payment Of politi-
cal debts incurred in the mayoralty
election by giving the governorship
nomination to William R. Hearst.
The announcement of the settlement
Of the transit mudtlle with the reten-
tion of the five-cent fare. all accord
ing to the plan laid down by Governor
Miller last year, is counted upon by
the Republicans to re-elect Governor
Miller by a very large vote, as his
only weakness was in New York, where
Hearst Hylan Tammany men used the
hve-cent fare as political issue last
year.
Fear to Run Against Miller
Former Governor Smith made his
statement about remaining in the
trucking business before the plan for
the reorganization of the Interborough-
ton of fivecent fare was made pub
lie. Even if he had been "stamped-
able under pressure from an en-
tnuslastic and unanimous convention,
1t is believed that neither he nor any
other really formidable Democrat will
90 out of his way to obtain the nomi-
/ nation against Governor Miller next
fall.