The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-19
COTHAM'S new
MAYOR CUTTING
CITY EXPENSES
Mckee Loses No Time in
Swinging Into Action;
Prestige Grows.
BY OTIS PEABODY SWIFT
United Press stan Correspondent

NEW YORK, Sept. 19.-Square-
jawed Joseph V. Mckee has made
political history in the fifteen days
he has. been mayor of New York.
Up to Sept. 2 he had been known
only as a self effacing, efficient
young fellow who occasionally pinch
hit for an absent mayor, Jimmy
Walker, in receiving some celebrity,
and made a smooth, pleasant job
of the reception.
But since that date, with Walk
ers resignation, he has become a
national figure, not only as mayor
of New York but as potential
Democratic force.
Mckee took Office on a Friday,
rode to work Saturday in the sub
way started that work in his shirt
sleeves, pledged budget cut and
a general economy program.
Announced Survey
Over the first week end he an
nounced a city-wide survey on I'M
employment relief, and by midweek
had gained his full stride.
He cut his own salary from $40,000
to $4,000 annually, similarly slash
ing the pay of his aids a total Of
$4,000 900, arranged for a new city
loan of from $10,000,000 to $15,000,-
900 from bankers at a lowered inter
est rate, and abolished what he
called the printing monopoly by
awarding ballot contract at $780,
900 less than alderman had favored
He started the second weekend
by astounding 1000 Communists
who marched on city hall, first by
receiving their delegates almost
eagerly, and second by answering
their arguments so logically and
devastatingly that they were left
almost speeches..
Then Ex-Mayor Walker sailed +or
Italy, and it was widely reported
that Tammany leaders had urged
him not to attempt to run for Office
this fall.
Mckee began his second week in
Office by dlscharging Thomas ".
Dryer, commissioner of public mar
kets. Dwyer, he said, had failed to
present plan to make the Bronx
terminal market, colossal munich
pal white elephant, self supporting
The Inflated market now is to be
closed on McKee's order.
McCooey Drops in
BY Wednesday of last week, John
H. McCooey, Democratic boss Of
Brooklyn, had dropped in at city
hall for, friendly visit" with the
determined Scotsman. Mckee later
admitted cheerfully that the ques-
ton of patronage had been discussed
The next move came in his survey
of the 1900 automobiles owned by
the city, and an order for the elm
ination of all pleasure vehicles
(six limousines were attached to his
own Office alone)-at an estimated
annual saving of $1,000,000. Among
the cars to be retired was the $4,000
Duesenberg town car which Mayor
Walker used on state occasions.
Public doubts were raised when
Mckee attacked the slot machine
racket, sponsoring a series of raids.
arrests and confscations of the Sc
Guctive gambling paraphernalia.
Many though those defiance of
closely organized racketeers would
injure his growing political strength.
But the raids have continued, and
McKee's prestige grows.
Visiting celebrities receive short
shrift nova warm, courteous but
brief greeting, with neither a pa
rade nor a pompous reception.
Still riding the subway, still work.
ing in shirt sleeves, and still plan
ming new budgets cuts, Mayor Nc
Kee is too busy for such elaborate
affairs.