Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-01
SMITH ASKS DELAY
IN NAMING LEADER
Power of Former. Governor
Grows in Quest of Tam
.s-s..:- many Chief. /. so
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, April 1.-The fate Of
the new leadership of Tammany Hall,
succeeding the resigned George w. Oh
vany, appears to have passed definitely
into the hands of the big four-former
Gov Alfred E. Smith, Surrogate James
A. Foley. Mayor Walker and Senator
Robert F. Wagner-in view Of develop
ments yesterday and the prospects for
today and Tuesday. The decision prob
ably will be another week away. Mr..
Smith, In Atlantic City yesterday, in
dicated he hoped it would be possible
to postpone action until after his return
to New York, which Is expected to be
next Sunday.
Mr.. Cosgrove is expected to return to
New York today. He will transmit the
results of his conference with Mr.. Smith
to Senator Wagner, and Judge Foley
and Mayor Walker also will be appriSed.
Foley May See Roosevelt.
Judge Foley, who has been passing
the last week at his country place on
Long Island, is expected to return to the
city today. AS soon as he learns OF
the reactions OF Mr. Smith, Senator
Wagner and Mayor Walker. 1t is under
stood he will 60 to Albany for talk
with Gov. Roosevelt.
Gov. Roosevelt has not been called
formally into the councils Of Tammany
on the selection of q new leader. 1t
was regarded that in view of his preSi-
Dental potentialitieS four years hence
it would be better politics not to involve
him too intimately in the Wigwam's
affairs. In the meantime, however. it
is anticipated he will run to succeed
himself at Albany and that matters of
patronage will be in his hands. For
that reason he has come to be looked
upon almost as an ex ofllcio member
of the big four.
The conferences leading up to the
final determination Of Tammany's
muddle began yesterday with the pros
poets of lasting several days before
contact Is established with the embat-
tied district leaders, who are. with
more timidity than temerity, asserting
their determination to have one. Of
their own ranks succeed Mr.. Olvany.
Dock Commissioner Michael Cosgrove,
q leader of the sixteenth assembly dis
trict, conferred with Mr.. Smith at
f1Lldk1b4C S4Iy 4CSSCI0dy oAAN3 Hoo ca
pected to talk with him again this
morning at Absecon regarding the
situation here. Mr.. CoSgrove, who is
understood to be unpledged to any
district leader as a successor to Mr..
Olvany, was regarded as having gone to
the jersey shore as the spokesman Of
Senator Wagner.
Regardless of the Democratic presi-
Dental nomination four years hence,
Roosevelt'S position as governor makes
his immediate political Importance, so
far as Tammany's decision upon new
chief Is concerned, as imminent as that
of Mayor Walker, who Is member OF
the big four.
Governors Views Held Powerful.
Not until Gov. Roosevelt's views are
fully consulted is it believed 1t will be
advisable to move definitely toward the
selections of q new chief. It will prob
ably require until Wednesday or Thurs
Gay to obtain his views and observe
the reaction. Therefore, there seemed
ample activities to occupy the time of
those guiding Tammany's destinies for
at least one more week, which would
comply with Mr.. Smiths wishes.
When the big four have arrived at
their best judgment it is expected Peter
j. DOOllng, chairman OF Cne lamInany
executive committee and also chair
man of the halls committee of seven
which is to confer with the big four,
will call meeting of the subcommit-
tee for a conference. While that call
may come the latter part Of this week
the meeting probably will not be held
until early next week.
McCue's Advantage Seen.
None of the three leading contenders
from among the district leaders-John
F. Curry, Martin G. McCue and Edward
J. Ahearn-seemed to have gained in
voting strength over the week end. 1t
appeared, however, that Mr.. McCue had
a slight advantage in the favor Of the
big four, because Of his long experience
here and in Albany, his courage and
frankneSS, his executive ability in such
a campaign as may develop in the elec-
ton of a mayor this Fall and in his
general popularity.
Failing to select q district leader, it
was understood the big four were still
at loss to find suitable outsider who
possessed desired requisites and would
be willing to accept the job.