The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-07-09
Member of Audit Bureau OF
Circulation
Roosevelt and Tammany

Even II ne were not CaIluludte Aol
the presidency, no other governor OF
a state would be as much in the pub
lie eye just now as Franklin D. Roo
sevelt of New York for it is he who
must decide whether the mayor OF
the nations largest city is to be re-
moved from office or retained IN
power.
It Is an important decision and one
which the nation hopes will be de-
cided on its merits in the interest OF
simple Justice. Nevertheless, there is
no escaping the fact that the deci-
sion, whatever it may be, will cause
heavy political reactions.
If Walker is removed, the governor
will incur the active displeasure OF
the Tammany organization, which
rules New York city. AS matter OF
practical politics he would be almost
FORGETTING his chances of carrying
New York state and its huge electoral
vote. A possible alternative. of
course. is that the enemies of Tam
many might rally to him if he re-
moved Mayor Walker, but that pros
pect is rather dim.
On the other hand, he will be con-
siderably weakened in the west and
south if he gives the mayor a clean
bill of health after the evidence un-
covered by Judge Samuel Seabury's
Investigation. At the same time, it
would not insure Roosevelt's carry
ing New York state, for Tammany
works better in deciding municipal is
sues than in supporting national can
didates.
AS a result of this situation, it
would appear that the Democratic as
we'll as the Republican candidates are
in tough spots with respect to pend
ing issues. President Hoover has had
q lot of hot" subjects to handle. The
Democratic candidate has, in the
Walker case, one which is just as
fraught with political consequences
as those which have beset the admin
istration. Upon the manner in which
he decides it will depend part OF
the nations judgment of him.
1t is only natural, therefore, that
Roosevelt should attempt to heal the
breach between himself on the one
hand and Tammany and Al Smith or
the other, by sending a conciliatorI
message after the nomination. Re.
publicans made much of it as be-
traying a Roosevelt weakness ant
Tammany was cool toward it, pend
ing the decision of the fate of one o
it's darlings, the dapper mayor.
Politically, it would seem to be t.
Roosevelt's advantage to give Wake
the boot, even though the New Yor
electoral vote is large indeed. 1t wa
the West and South which nominate
him over Tammany opposition-an
the New York political bosses are M
in favor in those sections.
Tammany, espousing the candidac
Of Alfred E. Smith, fought him ever
inch of the way and Mayor Wake
was one of the most active partic
pants in the fight. During the cor
vention pictures were sent out show
ing the mayor casting his bale
against the Roosevelt nomination.
One got the impression, as the ba
tie ragged, that Roosevelt might ha'
won those New York votes by prom
Using to "be good" on the Walk
case. The fact that they stood o
against him to the last proves tn
he made no such promise, and tt
is to be considered in his favor.
It seems a little early, therefore, I
the Republican leaders to assal Ro
sevelt on the strength Of his MESA
to Tammany. He clearly Is not a
never has been Tau1many man.
fact, his first important act as pu
lie man was to help defeat Tai
many's choice for United States sen
tor, elected by the legislature In the
days, Only through Smith has
ever maintained much contact wi
Tammany-and now that contact q
pears to be broken.
The Republicans. who were pl
testing year ago against an alleg
attempt to smear" Hoover should
careful not to employ the same t.
tics against Hoovers opponent.
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