Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-28

Corruption and crime In great cities,
viewed as . national problem, intensiies
interest in the current New York in
vestigation, as Taxnmany Hall once
more faces the grill. From all parts of
conditions IN the metropolis and there
are calls TO- action. Mayor walkers
wise cracking'' on the subject creates
poor impression, chiefly because It is
taken as voicfng indifference 10 seri-
GUS matter.
''Tammany in Tuxedo, we are all
seeing" according to the New York
Herald Tribune. is as shockingly rot
ten as in the Tedder and rougher ways
Of Croker. In the public mind the un-
happy Jimmie eYokes sympathy, we sus-
pect, as well as censure. Too gay q
butterfly to be broken on so ruthless a
wheel. But he may, conceivably, have
taught New York that the ONCE of
mayor calls for Sterner stun than q fell
low Of infinite Jest"
Chicago and New York are linked
each fighting q gigantic crime ring, "
AYERS the Champaign News Gazette,
while the Akron Beacon Journal holds
that effective action against the idea
that public treasures exist only to be
plundered" will be IAN inspiration to
every other city to do the things neces-
sary for protection" The Detroit Free
Press advises that "crime and corrup-
ton will continue to raise their ugly
heads until human nature undergoes a
radical change" and that they will
dominate the government Of any city
whose good citizens go fishing on cleo
ton day"
THE Tanrnany chiefs" according to
the Charleston Is. CD Evening Post,
have been disposed rather to let the
Hood waste itself over a wide area, but
they seem to have realized at last that
they must repair the bikes which have
been opening great assures, and they are
preparing for o real contest" The
Springfield (MaSs) Union recalls the
days before the campaign Of 1928 and
refers to the fiction that Tammany is
a reformed and now quite immaculate
institution" with the comment that "it
Is possible to assume that II Gov. Smith
had been its supreme dictator, disposed
to remove grating district heads and
municipal officials, it could have been
made different Tammany for time"
X 4 X
with graft revelations Of its own"
suggests the Oakland Tribune, New
York Is no longer speaking scornfully
Of Chicago. Jokes in the Eastern city
now omit the once-favored references
to the iniquities of the Middle Western
metropolis. Yet New York may say,
with some justice, it has at present q
larger and more vigorous group of
public-spirited men who refuse to sub
NIT to the dictatiou Of gang politics
and corrupt officials, Against obsta-
cles which might discourage some
municipalities these determined men
are carrying on the inquiries which
have exposed corruption in courts and
official life"
Appraising Tammany's history as.
zone of bosSisrn, outraRes, corruption,
high-handed intrigue and contempti-
BILE selfiShness in administering gov
ernmental affairs" the Charlotte News
reviews the leadership Of the organiza-
ton, concluding with the statement
that finally John F.. Curry, anti
Smith, succeeded to the leadership
and Immediately established a working
alliance with Mayor Walker" The
Charleston CIV. Va.1 Daily Mail, how
ever, feels that, In the present emer-
gency, lit Is not question of Mayor
Walkers personal acts, but as to his
failure to exert his influence and ex-
ercise his powers in stopping graf"
quipS and catchy uuirps are not seemly
under alleged conditions
~ =
"The mayors attempt to laugh on
the situation, in view Of the rotten
conditions that have already been ex-
posed in New York, didn't set well
with the public" in the opinion Of the
Jersey City journal, which thinks that
it created widespread resentment and
cost him at least the sympathy Of
many people whose disposition toward
him has heretofore been friendly The
Buffalo Evening News suggests that he
resume his old profession as g song
at thmt@~nAch better than he has ever
been at the Wglrk of ruling q CITY,"
The Lexington leader sees him as
Hsimply flippant."
"All along his route" states the
Rochester Times Unioris "he gave the
impression to those wlia reeted him
that he vas on : lark. Be was. It