Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-12
The Political Mill
By C. Could Lincoln.

Tammany's answer to 1.-THE sweeping
investigation conducted by that grand
old Democrat, Judge Samuel Seabury,
and the revelations of graft running
into hundreds of thousands of dollars
collected by Tammany leaders, Is a
huge registration Of voters for the
election OF AssemblyEnen in November
and for Offices in New York City. It Is
the old strategy Of defense through a
counter attack. If Tammany, in the
face Of the scandals which have been
and are being shown up, can elect its
own and perhaps pick up an office here
and there, what will the organization
care really for the black picture Of
its operations which go out to the
public? There is even talk among
Tammany leaders of carrying the
Assembly. In the coming elections, SO
as to put an end to the investigation
by the Legislative Committee into New
York City affairs. Once the organiza-
ton can pass safely through the politi-
cal test which the present Investigation
Is bringing in its wake, once 1t can
run the gauntlet, there will be no limit
to the activities to which its leaders
may aspire in the future.
II
Some Of the Tammany leaders are
referring to the present Investigation by
the Legislative Committee, dominated
by the Republicans, as an effort to
provide a smoke screen behind which
the sins" Of the national Republican
administration may be hidden. The
chief Sin" according to these Demo-
cratic leaders, lies in permitting the
present business depression to happen.
In this way they are seeking to turn
the attention Of the people Of New York
City and State away from the graft
which has been uncovered.
The picture Of graft in New York
City and the fortunes which Tammany
leaderS-holding Offices under the city
government-now unfolded is a black
page in Tammany history and in the
history OF city government in this coun-
try. The sheriff, Thomas M. Farley, has
SO far given no good explanation for his
$3.50, 600 bank deposits in a period of
six years, nor has James A. McQuade,
register Of Kings County and Demo-
cratic nominee for sheriff who banked
100000. Other city officials with big
bank accounts and small salaries have
made no better explanations Of their
gains than Farley and McQuade. High
police officers have testified to the
gambling which has gone on in the clubs
headed by some of the Tammany lead
ers, and crimes Of various kinds, even
murder, that have gone on In these
clubs without any one being brought to
justice and punishment.
But Mr. Seabury plans to give an
even more complete picture of the way
in which the Tammany-ruled city gov
eminent has been conducted. He is
reaching out now to learn what the
bank accounts of John F. Curry Tam
many's head. and Mayor Jimmy"
Walker and other organization leaders
will show on examination. Many Of
these men apparently have big in
comes, although the reason Tor the big
incomes Is more obscure.
Tammany went through the elections
Of 1880 successfully in the face OF
charges Of corruption and following the
disclosures OF rottenness in municipal
courts presided over by Tammany ap-
pointees. 1t successfully put Mayor
Walker back into Office and carried
the city overwhelmingly for Gov.
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Some Of these
Tammany Democrats have about
reached the conclusion that corruption
as an issue in New York politics
amounts to little or nothing as
handicap. So they are lining up the
faithful. They have registered an I'M
usually large number of voters for an
of year-when there is no city-wide
election. Charges have been made that
they are using repeaters. But these
charges are denied.
X X
This Tammany expose may or may
not have national repercussions. The
Governor Of New York State, Franklin
D. Roosevelt. Is the leading candidate
right now for the Democratic nomi-
nation for President If he is to be-
nominated and to have a chance for
election next year, Gov. Roosevelt must
make 1t very clear to the rest of the
country outside of New York City that
none Of the Tammany mud is clinging
to his boots. Corruption may be no
issue in New York City, but it will
not sit so well on the stomachs Of the
rest Of the country. Gov. Roosevelt
up to the present time has handled the
situation with great deal of skill.
He has given the impression-and I'M
doubtedly 1t Is correct impression
that he is not Tammany's man and
that he has no intention of shielding
corrupt Tanmany leaders. 1t has been
suggested that if he keeps this up
he may find the claws of the Tammany
Tiger sticking in his back next year.
But Tammany. If Judge Seabury has
his way. is likely not to be an i'm
portant factor in deciding what candi-
date the New York delegation to the
Democratic National Convention shall
support.
Whether the power interests are
really carrying on an undercover cam
paign against Roosevelt or not, they
are getting the credit for such an at
tack today. Roosevelt's attitude on the
power and public utilities problem is
too radical to suit the power people. 1t
is declared. But in certain quarters 1t
has been reported that these power in
terests have really little hope of being
able to stop" Roosevelt in the COM
ing Democratic National Convention.
X X X
Out in Arkansas the House Of Rep
resentatives has just put through res
olution unanimously indorsing Gov.
Roosevelt for the Democratic presiden-
tial nomination. This action is partic-
ularly remarkable in view OF the TACT
that for years Arkansas has been send
ing delegations to the Democratic Ma
tional Conventions instructed to vote
for Senator Joseph T. Robinson for the
presidential nomination. In 1928 Sem
ator Robinson was the party selection
for Vice President, and today he is the
Democratic leader of the Senate. Sen
ator Caraway, his colleague from Ar
kansas. has publicly expressed the opin-
ion that Roosevelt would be the nomi-
nee for President next year, and now
this action by the Arkansas House OF
Representatives urging the State dele
CATION to back Roosevelt seems pretty
we'll to have eliminated one "favorite
son" candidate from the field next year.
X X >.
Vice President Curtis still Is keeping
his own council regarding his future
political plans. He may make an an
nouncement in November. So far he
has the vice presidential nomination
in his vest pocket If he elects to make