New Britain herald., 1929-03-16
OLVANY, TAMMANY
LEADER, resigns
Gives Poor Health as Reason But
Newspapers Speculate

New York, March 16 P-George
W. Olvany. leader of Tammany Hall
since the death of Charles +. Muir
ply. five years ago, has resigned.
While i'll health was given as the
reason. there was much speculation
today about the matter.
The resignation was submitted
yesterday by letter at a meeting OF
the executive committee of the New
York county democratic committee.
or Tammany Hall. as more general
ly known. A member Of the COM
mittee is designated leader of Tam
many Hall. Neither the letter nor
any direct explanation by Olvany
was given out.
The Times said the letter read
substantially as follows: because
of i'll health and on the advice Of
my physicians l resign as leader OF
Tammany Hail." The committee
deferred action on the resignation
till next Friday. Olvany was at the
meeting. He urged increased mem
was read.
The Times said today a neurolo-
gist had insisted that Olvany take q
long vacation.
Newspaper Theories
New York newspapers had various
theories to offer. Some said that
in some quarters the resignation was
regarded as a gesture intended to
inspire vote of confidence on the
part Of the executive committee.
Some suggested it was the outcome
of dissatisfaction on the part of
democratic leaders with the poor
showing made by Alfred F. Smith
in the presidential election in the
Tammany districts.
The papers went on to say that
Olvany was known to be far from
popular with many of the district
leaders and was said to have quar-
relied with Mayor Walker recently
about patronage.
OlVany's action. coming without
warning on the eve OF a municipal
campaign, threw leaders of the To-
cal democratic organization into
confusion and gave rise to specula-
ton on Its effect on the candidacy
Of Mayor Walker for reelection.
The consensus seemed to be that
while Olvany's action was bound to
affect the mayors chances OF re-
nomination, the real effect would be
determined by the successor chosen
Al Smith Mentioned
Discussion Of persons available to
take over the leadership Immediate
ly brought former Governor Smiths
name to the fore, although political
observers said district leaders felt
that the new chief should be chosen
from among them.
Olvany. whose leadership OF Tam
many Hall has conceded with sue
cessful efforts to obtain the demo-
cratic presidential nomination for
Smith. was an ardent champion Of
the so-called new Tammany. In No
vember he wrote: To-day Tammany
is Stronger. moro respected ana
trusted in the community In which
it has its activities than ever in its
history. Political muck raking in
vestigations have strengthened Tam
many and reacted against the Sian.
derers and muck rakers."
Olvany has been a member Of
Tammany Hall for 80 years.
After serving as a deputy assistant
in the corporation counsel's Office,
he was elected alderman and later
made first deputy fire commissioner
under Mayor Gaynor.
He succeeded Murphy az lea der
Of Tammany Hall after long asso-
citation with the chiettain In the
capacity Of chairman OF the Tam
many law committee. He was serv-
ing as an appointed general SEES
sions Judge in 1924 when he was
made head of the Tammany organ
iZation.