New Britain herald., 1925-09-15
Not Only Is State Democratic Leader- ship At Stake, But Also Presidential Nomination Is In Of- fling.
Governor Smith and Pub. fisher Hearst Real COm- batants Representing Walker and Hylan Re- spectively.
By The Associated Press.

By The Associated Press.
 New York, Sept 15 P)-The tu- mutt and the shouting died today as New York city's electorate went to the polls to end with its ballots one of the most stirring and far-reaching primary campaigns ever staged in an American city.
 On the surface, today's balloting Is merely the expression of repub- lican and democratic voters in choosing their respective mayoralty and local candidates for the general elections November 3. Underneath, however, in the minds of many Is a struggle between two powerful fig ures, one a governor and one pub fisher. for the leadership of New York's state democracy, with a fight fer a presidential nomination in the offlng.
 General Dissension
 Although internal dissension In the republican camp has added to the general melee, interest centers on the democratic internecine war far for the mayoralty nomination. Long before the fight actually got under way. circumstances steadily accumulated a background and a stageful of figures which could but cuIminate in a great political drama. Today marks climax in that drama.
 Mayor For Eight Years
 For eight years John r. Hylan, democratic protege of William Ran dolph Hearst, has been the chief executive of the largest city in the United States. Under his guidance the city, has been confronted with [ many pressing problems of interest to the entire country. Subway con- struction. relief of traffic congestion, housing, suppression of crime, grade crossing removal and garbage dis pcsal have been some of the most vital questions.
 During six of those eight years. the mayor had a nominally united party behind him, held within the ~'f,rm grasp of Charles F. Murphy. the leader of Tammany Hall.
 Split Follows Death
 Early in 1924 MT. Murphy died, and with his relaxing grip came the split that he had Combatted suc- cessfully for many years. His death marked the starting point of two doI,,ocro+in Po ptiopu opa }],ot IooIyod d toward Mayor Hylan and Mr. Hearst for leadership in city affairs, and the other that turned to Governor Smith. This latter group more and more showed dissatisfaction with inc mayors accomplishments in solving New York's problems and In dis, playing it's intention that he should be supplanted.
 There was no open break until the democratic leaders of the five bor- oughs of New York gathered togcth- CT 10 select their slate for today's primaries and the general elections. Tammanv Hall, under its new leader, George ", Olvany, and the Bronx county committee. broke definitely with the mayor and selected State Senator James I. Walker, minority senate leader and long a political CO., worker with Governor Smith, Brook lyn, Richmond and Queens threw thoir support to renomination for the mayor.
 Smith Makes Decision r. was then that all New Yorl;'s l political eyes were turned toward 4 Governor Smith, Whom would he support with his great personal ! popularity, attested by his three ! terms as chief executive of the state and the determined fight made by
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