Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
Outstanding Man Favorable
to District Heads and Rank
and File Sought.
McCUE FAV0RITE, CURRY
AND AHEARN ALSO IN RACE
Population Shift Changes Vote
Situation-0pposition to Smith
as Leader Is Seen.
BY G.. GOULD LINCOLN.
StaH Carracnnpda,t of Tha Efar


NEW YORK, March 23.-When
Judge George w. Olvany handed in
mis- resignation as leader of Tammany
ne created situation in the New
York County Democratic organization
out of which may grow far-reaching
consequences for Tammany Hall,
Greater New York, the State and ma
tional Democratic politics.
The immediate crisis has come in
Tsmmany Hall itself. For the selection
of new leader is likely to determine
in no little measure what part the or
ganization is to continue for the pres
ent to play in city and State affairs.
The demand by those who are look
ing beyond assembly district politics
is for a leader strong enough and suf-
flciently widely known to maintain
Tammany Hall, which is the Demo-
cratic organization of New York
County, or the borough of Manhattan,
in the ascendency in New York City
and State Democratic politics. 1t is
that demand, according to men vino
are Ct the inner circles, which has
halted temporarily the election of
new Tammany leader and forced the
appointment of a committee of seven
to consult with former Gov. Alfred z.
Smith, the titular head Of the Demo-
cratic national party because of his re-
cent candidacy tor President; Senator
Wagner, Mayor Walker and Surrogate
James A. Foley.
Ambitions Of Leaders Soar.
AS soon as Judge Olvany stepped out
of the picture as Tammany leader. tile
ambitions cf number of the Tam
many district Leaders scared The fact
that Judge Olvsny's resignation came
as complete surprise and there had
been no chance for any deliberations
among the leaders as to his successor
is believed To have been responsible
FOR the immediace scramble among the
'iistEict leaders for the Leadership Of
the organization.
Now Tammany is seeking harmoni-
Gus solution of its problem, and has
turned to the big four for advice.
What Is wanted is leader who will
satisfy the district leaders and the rank
and file and also the outstanding fig-
ures in the Democratic party here. The
district leaders have been utterly un-
able to agree among themselves on
leader. But they are still insisting that
the new Tammany chieftain must be
selected from one of their number and
from the membership of the executive
committee. The outstanding candidates
in the struggle among the district lead
ers for the job have been Martin G.
TAL, z rA r
Ahearn. McCue, who is clerk Of the
Surrogate Court. is the most likely, 1t
is said. to be elected leader of Tam
many Hall if the office goes to one of
the district leaders. Indeed, it is said
that if at Fridays meeting of the execu-
tive committee, the matter had gone to
a showdown, McCue would likely have
won the leadership. 1t is possible that
the big four will give its approval 10
McCue's candidacy. and if it does, he
will be elected.
Situation Changed.
Tammany Halls leadership in the
Democratic party in Greater New York
has not been successfully challenged for
years. 1t has been a cohesive dorf1i-
mating force. And Tammany Hall does
not wish to relinquish this leadership.
From a voting point of view, however.
the situation has changed. In the old
days Manhattan, where the bulk of the
votes was cast and where >Tammanv
holds control, controlled absolutely the
elections. But shifts in population with
a tremendous growth in Brooklyn, the
Bronx and Queens has given a different
aspect. The registration in New York
City. given by boroughs. for 1928 tells
the tale. Manhattan's registration was
SAC, ,448, Brooklyn's was .7i0,775, the
Bronx 8,207 and Queens 356.183.
Richmond, the fifth and smallest of the
boroughs, registered 55.988.
Brooklyn's big population and strong
Democratic organization under Nc
Cooey is a force to be reckoned with.
1t is clear that the new leader of Tam
many Hall must not be overshadowed
by McCooey and must be a man with
whom the Brooklyn leader is willing
to cooperate when 1t comes to city
elections The question Is whether any
one OF the present Tammany district
leaders is of such caliber. But when it
comes to going outside the district
leaders to pick Tammany's new leader,
no one here yet voices an opinion. Sur
rogate Foley, it is insisted, could have
the job in a minute If he would take
it, But he has consistently declined.
No one is talking about Gov. Smith.
himself, for leader OF Tammany. and
right there hangs tale.
Smiths Future in Doubt.
No one has yet been able to fathom
Just what Gov. Smith has in the
back of his head with regard to his
own future in politics. He, himself, is
saying nothing. Some of his friends
are anxious that he have another try
vt the presidency in 1882. Some Of the
Democratic leaders here venture the
suggestion that he Is out of that pic
,ure because of the defeat he sustained
asst November when the country went
against him and when
ne lost his own State. although New
York elected Democratic governor and
e-elected Democratic Senator of the
United States in the same election.
But Just suggest to them that Gov.
Smith might take the Tanmany leader
hip and these same leaders throw I'D
heir hands. 1t would be unthinkable,
hey say, for it would put an end to
my chance he might have in the fu-
ure of being the party's candidate for
President. 1t is clear, therefore. that
ONE of them believe that Gov. Smith
las by no means abandoned the idea
hat he may be nominated again for
President. although they discount the
dea- Time. and. circumstances alone
Fill show Just what the governor will
10. He has been in public ONCE for
ears. He has been power in the
Democratic party of the State and of
he Nation. 1t is difficult for any man