Evening star., 1932-06-09
SRoosevelt and the Walker Case.

Samuel Seabury, counsel for the
Legislative Committee investigating af-
fairs in Greater New York. has filed
with Gov. Roosevelt the evidence
taken by that committee in respect
to the conduct of Mayor Walker. with
fifteen virtual, though not formal.
charges Of malfeasance and non
feasance. He specifically states that
he acts In his individual capacity as
citizen and not as a representative
OF or as counsel to the committee
He places the record before the Gov
ernor, as he did in the case of Sheriff
Farley, for the information of the
State executive for such action as he
may deem just and proper in the
premises.
This presentation of the case is at
the implied invitation of the Coy
ernor, who recently in a statement
challenged the counsel of the COM
mittee TO stop talking and do some
thing" In his letter to the Governor
Judge Seabury recites IN brief the
substance of the testimony. which in
dicates, as he expresses it, that the
mayor has conducted himself in a
manner so far unbecoming the high
office which he holds as to render
himself unfit to continue in the office
of mayor
In the orderly procedure in this case
the Governor will probably first ac-
quaint himself with the nature of the
testimony. He may then, without fur
ther hearing, decide that there is no
evidence OF improper conduct on the
part OF the mayor and dismiss the
case. Or, as is more likely, he may
Cite the mayor to present his defense
and then require the accuSer to appear
at hearing to justify his charges,
with opportunity for the mayor to re-
fute his arguments.
Public interest outside of New York
as well Is within the State centers upon
the effect that the disposal of this case
may have upon the Governors political
fortunes. He is the outstanding candi-
date for the Democratic nomination for
President. The convention of the party
will be held in Chicago June 81. two
weeks from next Monday. In ordinary
circumstances there would be no haste in
reaching a decision. The question of
moment now is whether the Governor
will rush the proceedings. To do so
would be an acknowledgment that his
consideration of the case is coupled
with his candidacy. To allow the mat
ter to take the usual course, with ade-
quate time allowed for a full perusal of
the testimony and a proper period
granted to the accused mayor for reply
and for a chance to meet his accuser
at the final hearing, would postpone ac-
ton until after the convention has ad-
journed. If Gov. Roosevelt is nomi-
mated at Chicago and this case remains
for action afterWard it will figure in
the national campaign. There is no
escaping a political effect unless the
Chicago convention chooses another
candidate than Franklin D. Roosevelt
So widely exploited is the Walker
case as a matter of national interest
that it is inescapably connected with
the Roosevelt candidacy-for the nomi-
nation and for election in the event of
nomination, Dismissal of the mayor is
certain to create an intense hostility to
the Governor on the part of the domi-
nant political party in New York City,
possibly to the end of costing him the
electoral votes of his own State in No
vember. On the other hand, such action
would perhaps win him support else
where. Just as failure to dismiss the
n "or would cost the Governor votes
in the country at large, without surely
balancing this loss in New York itself.
1t is, indeed, Pandoras S box that has
been placed upon the desk of the Cover
nor of New York
congressman are frankly puzzled about