Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-31
Politics at Large
By C. Could Lincoln.

CdIlQlUdte 1OT mayor Oh LIE 0TedteT ClIy
with whom they can defeat Tammany.
troubles as they have had them in the
past. Defeating Tammany is no easy
| job. Mayor Jimmy" Walker apparently
| Is to be the selection Of Tammany and
the Democratic organizations in the
counties which 60 to make up the big
city outside Of New York County, where
Tammany is supreme. Walker was
Hylan, another Democrat and former
mayor, and the Republican nominee,
Waterman. Hylan was backed by Will
,, liam Randolph Hearst and Walker by
Al Smith, then governor. Hylan is seek
ing to stage comeback this year.
Representative La Guardia, who has
been elected in the past to the House as
Socialist, but who is now listed as
Republican, Is an active candidate for
the Republican nomination for mayor.
Mrs. Ruth Pratt, elected to the House
on the Republican ticket last Fall for
the first time, Is said to be receptive
candidate. Supreme Court Justice
Harry z. Lewis of Brooklyn is a possible
nominee, provided he can be prevailed
upon to make the race, it Is now re-
ported from New York.
y y
In some Republican quarters the sug-
gestion has been made that it would be
advisable to back a Democratic Demo-
crat who does not wear the Tanmany
collar, be it well understood-for the
mayoralty in the hope of uniting Re-
publicanS and anti-Tammany Demo-
Gratis and Independents. In several of
the large cities of the country partisan
politics are laid aside when 1t comes
to municipal elections and candidates
are put forward on their merits rather
than because they belong to this or that
National or State political party. But
that day has not yet been reached in
New York, nor--does it appear likely
to be reached as long as Tammany re-
mains the controlling factor in the
Democratic party Of the State and a
controlling factor in the Greater City.
There Is one man in New York so well
qualified for the Office of mayor of the
Greater City that his selection would
seem obvious. Possibly he would de-
cline-or has already declined-to be
considered for the Office. That man is
Alfred E. Smith. He Is Democrat, but
it does appear that, in the interests of
good city government, New Workers
might insist upon his taking the job
irrespective OF party. The former gov
ernor has been recognized as one of
the most capable executive officers ever
developed In the State. And New York
City needs an executive. He was the
candidate Of the Democratic party for
President year ago and for that rea-
son 1t might be said that for him to
aspire to become mayor now would be in
sense step down the political ladder
But New York City is the greatest city
in the world today and 1t requires man
Of the greatest ability to carry on its
government and to meet the problems
which constantly confront the munich
pality. incidentally 1t might be pointed
out that the Lord Mayor of London is a
parsonage Of very great prestige, and
there Is no reason to believe that the
first Importance in this country. A
boom for the nomination OF Gov. Smith
or mayor was launched by one Of the
New York newspapers months ago, but
1t did not receive announcement from
Mr.. Smith. There has been a new deal
in Tammany and 1t is possible that the
Democratic organization would look
aSkance at having Smith in the City
Hall. But however that may be, it
seems misfortune that New York City
should not have the advantage of his
leadership for the next four years.
Il
It has been suggested that perhaps
Gov. Smith and his friends have other
fish to fry-that they consider his
campaign for the presidency a year ago
merely a warming-up gallop and that
he will be presidential candidate in
1882. Several publications have taken
this view Of the matter and Gov.
Smiths autobiography, now starting in
the Saturday Evening Post, Is pointed
to here and there as an evidence of
a readiness to get into the political
arena again. However, there is apother
distinguished American citizen now re-
tired to private life who is writing his
life history in the magazines-Calvin
Coolidge. Possibly the same inference
might be drawn with regard to the
are convinced that Mr.. Coolidge will
occupy a position Of watchful waiting
during the next three years and, If
events should so shape themselves, be
ready to throw his hat. or permit |
some one else to throw it, into the pres |
idential ring Of 1882.
Up in Boston there is to be an cleo
ton Of mayor this Fall, too. Mayor |
He was elected largely because the |
Democrats Of Boston fell out. Former |
Mayor James E. Curley, Democrat, who |
aSpired to be governor, but failed, is |
reported to be out for the job of mayor |
again, and the Good Government As |
ISOLATION Is looking around to see whom |
they can find to beat him. This asso- |
citation, 1t Is reported, has sought to |
have former Mayor Andrew J. Peters, |
the rumor runs that Mr.. Peters at one |
time not long ago entered into kind |
of agreement with Mr.. Curley and with |
former Mayor John F. Fitzgerald to |
pool the Democratic strength Of Boston |
and the State to win for each OF them |
an important ONCE. Curley, the story |
had it, was to become mayor OF Bos- |
ton, Peters governor of the State and |
Fitzgerald was to be sent to the Senate |
an ambitious program. But the Bay |
State Democrats have been greatly en- |
couraged by the success of Senator |
David T. Walsh last year and the vic |
tory Of Al Smith, the Democratic nomt- |
nee for President a year ago, in the |
State. The plan to put the three for |
mer mayors Of Boston into these i'm
portant Offices, however, has not been |
entirely satisfactory to the Democrats
of the western part of the State, it Is |
said. They would like to have one OF |
these Offices If 1t is possible.
Although Senator Gillett has made no
public announcement of his plans re-
garding the Senate race next year, there
Is q growing impression in Massachu-
sets that he will not seek to succeed
himself in the Upper House Of Congress.
It has been suggested that he may be |
given a diplomatic appointment Of i'm
portance to round out his public career.
Many OF the Republicans of the State
would like very much to know If former
Gov. Avian T. Fuller is to make bid
for the senatorial nomination. If he
does. it is believed he will win the Re-
publican nomination. This would not
particularly please the State organiza-
ton, to say the least. Mr.. Fuller, how
ever, was an ardent supporter OF Pres
ident Hoover long before Mr.. Hoover