Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-19
Tammany's Window Dresser

Ten formal charges have been flled
with Gov. Roosevelt against Mayor
Walker of Greater New York by the
city Affairs Committee" recently
formed for the purpose of bringing
about an investigation into the manner
in which the municipality has been
conducted. 1t is rather remarkable that
mayor any specific or general venality.
HIS personal honesty is not impugned.
He is not accused of participating in
any of the graft and corruption that is
charged against the administration, Of
which he is the head. Failure to re-
move from office subordinate officials
who it is alleged have themselves prac-
ticed or permitted illicit enterprise,
failure to eradicate evils in the admin
istration, liberation of indecent condi-
tons" in certain branches of the city
government, indifference to elementary
standards of public office" in failure to
GUST VIGOROUSLY unfit officials, failure
to display interest In the scandals
affecting the magistrates courts and
incompetence. indifference and mac
ton" regarding open and sordid cor
ruption" In the Police Department
these are, in outline, the offenses of
which the mayor is accused and for
which his removal is demanded.
Walker was elected mayor Of Greater
New York first in 1925, serving four
years and being reelected in 1929. He
has therefore been in ONCE now for
five and quarter years. In that time
there has been no breath Of suspicion
regarding his own integrity. He has
wise-cracked and jollied the public re-
garding his responsibilities, has at times
acclaimed against m:sbehavior in public
Office, has promised vigorous action in
inquiry and punishment, has frequently
and freely conferred with complaining
citizens and has invited them to assist
him In cleaning up any foulness that
may be found. But the community has
never taken him seriously. 1t has never
indeed regarded him as other than a
window dressing" for Tammany, and
has consistently continued to regard
Tammany as sponsor for him and for
the practical pursuit Of gain through
the channels of municipal Office.
Truth to say. New York, however it
has been graveled by the n1isbehavior
and greed and incompetence of grating
Office holders, has liked Mayor Jimmy"
Walker. His suavity, his wit, his bland
refusal to become excited, his impec-
cable sartorial display at all times, have
endeared him to the multitude And 1t
may be that there has been a conf
dence that whatever he may have been
aware of and whatever he may have
tolerated in the way Of municipal graft
and profitable incompetence, he has
been himself honest and incorruptible.
Maybe he has been. Certainly he is not
now charged with anything worse than
permissive participation in the scandals.
But this excellent personal standing
Of the mayor with the community will
probably not lessen the chances of his
removal by the Governor, If the latter
is impressed with the charges that have
just been placed in his reluctant hand.
If all that the city Affairs Committee"
says is true, or any material part Of It,
Mayor Jimmy must walk the plank,
honest as he may be, untainted though
he remains after his long service in
Tammany and Tammany's gift of Of
fee. That is to say, if the Governor
does his duty, which those who know
Franklin Roosevelt believe he will, with
out fear or favor.