Evening star., 1933-10-09

One of the most surprising turns In
American political history, as viewed
by the press, Is the candidacy of Joseph
V. Mckee. as an independent Democrat,
for mayor of New York According to
all political experience he stands good
chance Of contributing to Tammany
success by creating triangular race
and destroying the prospects of the
fusion ticket headed by La Gardia sup
porters in both parties. Yet there are
practical observers of public events who
believe Mckee has chance to win,
largely on his record as acting mayor
Even If Tammany had won every
three -cornered election in the past" ac-
cording to the New York Sun, lit would
be no indication that 1t can win this
year. Times have changed. The en-
franchising of women, the use Of voting
machines and the growing independence
of the electorate have all had their
influence. The vote cast for Mckee
last year. the whaling which Prial gave
the bosses this year-such events show
the drift of the voters minds"
1T is by no means sure that he will
lose the election" thinks the Hartford
Times, remarking that "his outset cam
paign statement was powerful, probably
he has more familiarity with the fiscal
problems of the municipality than
Mayor OBrien and Maj. La Guardia
added together, and he enjoys an i'm
mense personal popularity" The Asbury
Park Evening Press feels that the
average New York voter, having tasted
of his efficiency, Is likely to prefer him
to either Mayor O'Brien or his untried
rival in the fusion camp" The Omaha
World-Herald states that "New Yorks
distressing problems are worthy the un-
offonfinr, of Io yr-ico Il ",
the country, and McKee's is one of the
wisest'
Quoting McKee'S words in criticism of
Tammany leadership as incompetent
and stupid" the Baltimore Evening Sun
concludes: This year practically every
city in the United States has at least
made some gesture in the direction of
public economy. Only Tammany has
been stupid enough to continue to spend
recklessly. If this point is continually
stressed, it is bound to have its effect.
Mckee has unerringly picked out his
opponents weakest spot and is pressing
the attack there. If he can keep it up,
his chances-admittedly poor at present
may improve greatly before the end
Of the campaign"
"McKee's entrance into the race" in
the judgment of the Youngstown
Vindicator, will lift the campaign to a
high level, and there is no doubt that
If he wins, honesty and intelligence will,
in his own words, replace corruption
and stupidity" The Morgantown
Dominion-News calls the independent
candidate "the logical leader in the war
on bossism." The Providence journal
makes the favorable comment 1--WE
may reasonably assume that Mr.. Nc
KEGS prestige in his own community
has not materially faded in the past
year with the great body of voters who
found reason to esteem him while he
was acting mayor The man himself, it
is safe to say, has undergone no change
in character or ability. His pre-eminent
qualifications for the Office which he
now seeks are quite as strong as ever
they were"
Mckee is an anti -Tammany Demo-
crat, a member of the Bronx organiza-
tion," says the Roanoke World-News,
land is supposed to have the support of
Postmaster General Farley, who, among
his other duties, holds the post of
Democratic State chairman Of New
York State. The situation Is unusual,
and points to an exceedingly hot CAM
paign in the next five or six weeks. But
1t may be remarked that in the last
40 years, while Tammany has several
times lost to reform candidates, it has
never lost an election when the opposi-
ton forces were divided"
while McKee's denunciatiof G.
Tammany," as viewed by the Newark
Evening News, "is accurate, it comes
late in the day from one who sat In the