The New York herald., 1922-08-18
COHALAN MAY RUN
AS AN INDEPENDENT
Murphy Said to Have Made
Deal With Koenig to Balk
denomination.
HAD FEUD FOR 8 YEARS
Old Time go to Hellr From
Surrogate Reported Pun
ished Now.
HAD FEUD FOR 8 YEARS

Surrogate John I. Cohalan, whose
failure to get redesignation for that
office from Tammany Hall is alleged
to have been due to the settling Of an
old grudge. may be entered by his
friends in both the Democratic and
Republican primaries. Coming to his
office In steady stream yesterday
they urged him to permit them to take
this action. He has reserved decision.
Forces connected with the Bar As
ISOLATION. who in the interest Of a nom
partisan judiciary had indorsed the
Surrogate for denomination by both
parties. displeased at the failure of the
Republican party to name him. were
directed to see what might be done.
There is much grumblng in both par
ties over the judicial arrangement that
came out OF the box on Wednesday.
Charles F. Murphy had returned to his
golf at Good Ground. and Samuel s..
Koenig had gone to his summer home
in Bradley Beach.
Allege Old Insult.
Friends OF Surrogate Cohalan were
asking II 1t paid to tell boss to go to
hell" They were asserting that the
friction Of which this strong language
was the symbol was responsible for the
turning down of Cohalan. II happened
nine years ago, but. they say. Charles
+. Murphy was so anxious to See that
Cohalan by no possibility was returned
tn ha npat ia fhaf rafa faA
the Republicans to reject him also.
According to the Cohalan friends the
designation for the Court Of General
Sessions by the Democrats of Judge
Morris Koenig, brother OF Samuel s..
Koenig. the Republican leader. was con-
ditioned upon the failure of the Repub-
licans to accept the recommendation Of
the Bar Association and designate Sur
rogate Cohalan. The Republican execu-
tive committee met in the afternoon
and named Frank ]. Coleman, Jr, for
Surrogate ard Judges Koenig and Rob-
ert S. Johnstone for General Sessions
Mr.. Murphy met his Tammany Han
leaders in the evening. put J. p. O'Brien
UP for Surrogate and designated Judge
Koenig and Justice c. F. Collins for
General Sessions.
Surrogate Cohalan would not discuss
his treatment for publication. Neither
would Judge Robert S. Johnstone. turned
down for redesignation by his own
party but selected by the Republicans
Judge Johnstone was also considering
running In the Democratic primaries at
the request OF his personal friends.
The Clash.
This is the story that explains. 1t is
stated. why Surrogate Cohalan had not
la, - TIA n fnr
nine years and why he was slated for
retirement by Murphy: In 1911 during
the Dix administration Cohalan. who
had been a State Senator. secured the
passage of bill at Albany taking away
from the State Comptroller the right to
name transfer tax appraisers In the set
tlement of estates and placing II In the
hands of the respective county Surro-
gates. Surrogate Cohalan was taken
sick and could not follow the bill. Wher
he recovered he found II had been vetoed
by Gov. Dix.
William Sohmer. good Tammany man.
was state Comptroller that year, as he
was In February. 1913, when Surrogate
Cohalan secured the introduction OF a
similar bill. Sulzer was Governor then
and the Democrats in control Of the
Legislature. Surrogate Cohalan found
his bill tied up In committee. by orders
Of Boss Murphy. he was told.
The next day Cohaian walked into
Tammany Hall and asked Murphy why
he had chloroformed the bill. The
Boss looked at him intently for mo-
ment and said What concern OF yours
Is that" Then he slowly turned his
back and started to walk away.
'1'll tell you what concern of mine II
IN In the next nine years" said Sur
rogate Cohalan. referring to the time he
had to serve on the bench.
And. moreover" added Cohalan. you
may go to hell Mr.. Murphy" |"
The Surrogate walked out and never
returned. When he had gone the Boss
Is said to have remarked that he would
have something TO say when that nine
years was up. Cohalan heard OF the
Continued on Pare Seven.
When Won thinK az writing