Evening star., 1932-02-11
TAMMANY SPLIT
INTO THREE CAMPS
Elements Supporting Smith,
Roosevelt and Walker Give
Rise to Speculation. :

(Cot wright. 1882, by the Associated Press).
NEW YORK, February 11.-Tam-
many Hall, which traditionally goes
into political battles with a united
front, is at present split three ways
as the Democratic National Convention
approaches,
New York State will cast "a votes
when the balloting for a presidential
nominee begins in Chicago, and AZ OF
these delegates will be from New YORK
City.
Normally Tammany controls most OF
these 48, but the political observers
believe as things now stand, that no
one candidate can count on even a
majority of this bloc on the first ballot.
Roosevelt Has Following.
Gov Franklin D. Roosevelt has
aroused the ire of many Tammany
leaders by not squelching the Hof-
stadter Legislative Committees nvestl-
cation into the Tammany municipal
government. Nevertheless, he has
stable following in the organization.
His campaign manager, James A.
Farley, chairman Of the Democratic
State Committee, Is Tammany man
and his his own supporters within the
organization.
John F. Curry, Tammany leader, Is
personal friend of the Governor, but
he has not yet indicated whether ne
will support Roosevelt.
Alfred e. Smith, Tammany's happy
warrior, has his following. too, but
it is not an organized bloc. So far
not a Tammany chieftain has publicly
commented upon Smiths announce
ment.
The third bloc is the one which
swears allegiance to Mayor James j.
Walker.
Mayor Looms Large.
The mayor looms large on the Tam.
many horizon. He heads an army OF
100000 city employees and controls ex-
tensive Tammany patronage. He will
have much to say about which presi-
dental aspirant is to get large per-
centage of New York City's votes In the
convention.
Walker and Roosevelt have been at
swords points since the investigation
OF the Walker government began. Some
indication of the feeling between them
was seen in the mayors failure to greet
the Governor as he filed past him at
the funeral of John r. Voorhis, Tam
lidlly 81 dllo SdSIleIl, MOludy. LING
wise it is no secret that Walker and
Smith are no longer close political
friends. 1t Is considered unlikely that
Walker will throw the support of his
Tammany followers to Smith.
The mayor refused to comment yes
terday on a report that in the event
of Smith Roosevelt deadlock at the
convention, the Tammany delegates
would advance him as vice presiden-
tial candidate, to run with presiden-
tial aspirant from the West or South
The speculation was given little
credence in political circles here
Another report was that John W
Davis might be put up as a compromise
New York candidate if the convention
should become deadlocked.
Wants to Keep Grip.
1t was said the real significance oi
the Walker report was that he is at.
temptinug to keep as firm a grip as
possible on the New York City dele
gates, with the idea Of not pledgine
their support to any candidate until
the convention-or shortly before.
Tammany Hall exists officially only
in the Borough of Manhattan and tech.
nically controls only % of the 48 New
Va n SAOJ 0ClCSdIC-o, DuI AL tllc pdSG Liz
leaders in the four other boroughs gen.
orally have followed Tammany's lead.
This time, however, the Democratic
leader in the Bronx is Edward ]. Flynn
Roosevelt's secretary of State. and it i,
considered likely the six Bronx vote.
will go to the Governor on the frs,
ballot, regardless of Tammany's posi-
ton.
In Brooklyn, which has 18 delegates
John H. Mccoy. who has been a wit.
ness before the Hofstadter Committee
is the Democratic leader He has moi
committed himself.
Tammany's attitude on the nomina.
ton question is likely to be influenced
to some extent by whether the Gov.
ernor SUNNI arily orders the removal oi
Sheriff James M. Farley. a Tamman,
leader, in accordance with the demanc
of the Hofstadter Committee. Roose.
velt's decision is expected within a few
days.
Meanwhile, Tammany is in the un.
usual position of being divided house
but the Tammany Tiger is an astute
political animal and old-time observer.
have said that while its fur may bristls
now June may find 1t purring.