Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-20
Politics at Large
By G.. Could Lincoln.

The resignation of Judge George
Washington Olvany from the leadership
of Tammany has stirred up the ami
mails" 1t appears there are lots of pos
sibilities in the Tammany situation
New York City is to elect a mayor this
year, and next year it elects governor
The political fortunes of Mayor
Jimmy" Walker and of Gov. Franklin
D. Roosevelt may be bound up in the
course which is now pursued by Tam
many in the selection of new leader
Unless all signs point in the wrong
direction, Mayor Walker does choose
to run" to succeed himself, and there
are indications he Is doing his best tc
bring about the selection of a Tam
many leader who will be favorable to
his continuing as mayor. The mayor
was pitchforked into the office he holds
now largely by foRmer Gov Alfred E
Smith, who four years ago turned
thumbs down on former Mayor John
Hylan. Hylan had the backing of Will
liam Randolph Hearst. He had been in
office for a number of years and had
the advantage of the popular side of the
five-cent street car fare. although
Mayor Walker did not align himself
against the five-cent fare. But Hylar
had been fighting the battle of the
lower fare for long time.
X X X X
The 1925 mayoralty campaign was
one of the greatest little mudslinging
affairs that has been staged in a long
time. with Gov. Smith and Mr.. Hearst
playing the principal parts. Walker
and Hylan were cast for the principal
parts, but the center of the stage was
grabbed by their hackers. The fact
that Gov. Smith, with Tammany, gen.
| orally speaking, entirely on his side
cleaned up Mr.. Hearst and Mr.. Hylan
is an old story.
But now Gov. Smith has become Mr.
Smith. He's out Of Office. No one
knows just what his political plans are
for the future. He has never said he
would not be a candidate for Office
President or any other office. in the
future. He has undertaken to help pay
off the campaign debt of the Demo
cratic national committee with his
book of campaign speeches, and he has
thought a barrel organ that plays 1.-THE
Sidewalks of New York; But what
else he is doing or has done in recent
months. except visit Florida, has not
been given wide publicity.
| X Y X
There is no doubt that Gov. Smith
Is a power and personality to be
reckoned with. He has been widely
popular in his own State and out of it
He went down to defeat once before
back in 1920 when the Harding landslide
brought victory to Smiths Republican
! opponent for governor. But two years
| later he was triumphantly replaced In
the governors mansion at Albany
There has been some suggestion that
Gov. Smith should be elected mayor OF
New York. Americas greatest city, this
year. But Gov Smith has given nc
| indication that he wishes to hold the
office. Indeed, the governor for several
years has urged time and again that
he wished to be permitted to retire to
private life. But now he's been enjoy
! ing private life, he may have a desire
to return to public office 1t sometimes
| happens. The governor has returned to
New York City to do little work of his
own in the matter of selection of a
new Tammany leader Reports indicate
| that he is inclined to the selection OF
an outstanding Democrat for the Job OF
leader, rather than for the selection OF
one of the Tammany district heads
The district leaders, however, are figur-
! ing on picking one of their own num-
Der. If they can agree on one of them
| The whole matter is to be referred to
the executive committee of Tammany
which meets Friday afternoon.
! James A. Foley, surrogate and SON.
of Tammany fame. could have the
Tammany leadership in walk If he
would, it is reported here. But Mr..
Foley has not been inclined to accept.
| There Is some suggestion that Gov.
Smith may be able to prevail upon him
to do so.
Tammany's situation in New York
City Democratic politics, still dominant
| is somewhat different. however. The
huge increases in population outside OF
Manhattan and the Bronx. in Brooklyn
for example, which is outside the strict
| Tammany jurisdiction. are responsible
for the change since all have been in
cluded in Greater New York and must
be considered when 1t comes to city
elections. John H. McCooey. the Demo.
cratic boss of Brooklyn, must be con-
sidered in these elections. Already there
Is evidence that the powers that be de-
sire the selection of Tammany lead
er with whom McCooey can travel
along peacefully.
| Gov. Roosevelt had Tammany's sup
port in the recent elections. But he won
the governorship also with upstate
support. He has 1oomed as possible
Democratic national leader in 1882. That
hinges, however on his ability to be
reelected governor in 1880. The Dem
ocrats have won in these State cleo
lions largely because Of the failure OF
the Republicans to form a cohesive,
working organization in the entire
State and particularly In New York
City. The Democrats have been able
to count on a huge majority In the
city for years.
| y X *
Just now. when there is turmoil In
| Tammany Hall, the Republicans are
seeking to do something about their
State organization. The big three
| Chairman Machold of the Republican
State committee; Charles d. Hilles, Re-
publican national committeeman, and
| william E. Hill. Hoover leader in New
York-dined with President Hoover at
the White House last night and went
over New York'S political situation.
Representative James S. Parker was
present to represent the New York Re-
publican congressman, who have been
aroused over the suggestion that all
patronage in the Empire State was to
pass through the hands Of the big
three. 1t appears that out OF the White
House conference has come harmony
and working understanding with re-
gard to patronage and leadership IN
New York.
! The New York leaders have left here
believing that something may be done"
which will result in the election OF a
Republican mayor this year and Re-
publican governor of the State next
year. When the Republicans begin talk
ing about electing mayor of New York
City, however. it is something like a
vision of castles in Spain. Four years
ago, when the Democracy was split two
ways over Mayor Walker and John
Hylan, the Republicans put up bust
ness man, Waterman. the head Of big
| industry. But he might just as we'll not
have been running for the effect he