The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-15
SURROGATE IS TYPICAL OF NEW ERA Murphy's Successor Uni-
 versity Man And
 Lawyer HAS LONG RECORD
 IN STATE POLITICS Workmen's Compensation, Home Rule And Water
 power His Hobbies IS STEPSON-IN-LAW
 OF PREDECESSOR  To Resign $15,000 Judgeship In
 Few Days To Take Up Leadership
HAS LONG RECORD
 IN STATE POLITICS
IS STEPSON-IN-LAW
 OF PREDECESSOR

NEW YORK; May 14.- Surro- gate James A. Foley tonight was elected successor to the late Charles F. Murphay, as leader of Tammany Hall. Only two of the 70 members of Tammany's executive committee voted against him.
 |. Tammany men say Surrogate Foley is a model of the thew era" type of politician, which the Hall has been moulding in recent years.
 His predecessors were mostly men of humble percentage and lowly environ ment; men born in the city's teeming tenement and water front districts who by sheer force of physical prowess and inherent political acumen, fought their way to place and power.
 University Man
 The new chieftain si 42 years old, a graduate of the local public schools and, with honors, of the college of the City of New York and the New York Law school. At the age of 9 he entered poli- tics and straightway vas elected to the assembly. Six years later he was eieS vRted to the state senate, where he re- mained until, in 1919, he was elected to the surrogate's bench by a plurality of 15,000 when every democratic ticket went down to defeat.
 In the assembly, where he was floor leader, and in the senate Foley was considered one of the most nimble- minded and gliB-tongued orators of either party. In the constitutional con vention, he, Governor Smith and Stu preme Court Justice Robert F. Wag- ner, scored forensic victories over the best legal talent of the state.
 Has Long Record
 His record of legislative achievements cover a wide field. He sponsored in the senate, the first competitive bill providing living wage for women. He fathered the workmen's compensation law, the eight-hour bill for women. the teachers salary increase bill, munich pal ownership bill, and q waterpower development bill giving the state control of all hydroelectric development He was the prime mover in legislation which saved New Workers an estimated $7,500,000 annually in telephone rate reductions. Always he has been lead. CT in the fight for home rule" for this city.
 Foley's reputation for reform followed him into the surrogate's office, where one of his first acts was to obtain legis- lation increasing the fees revenue of the county by $6O,000 a year.
 The new chieftain is step-son-in- law of the late Charles F. Murphy. He is an ardent collector of rare volumes. has noted library and is a great reader.
 Surrogate Foley will resign from the bench within few days. His present office carries a salary of $15,00O a year.
 While Governor Smith, in New York because of the illness of his mother. did not participate actively in the efforts that were made to persuade Foley to accept, it was known generally that he was much in favor of the committees choice.
 Surrogate Foley has .reIinauished his salary as surrogate. To date the leader of Tammany never has been paid sal ary but there was unofficial talk today of changing this custom. It vas point ed out that the surrogate probably would resume the private practice of law. which he can do and still be leader of Tammany.