Evening star., 1934-01-30
BRIDE RESIGNATION
|SDEN|ED BY ALLEN
Names of Al Smith and Tu-
muIty Drawn Into Contro.
versy Over lob.

Commissioner George E. Allen indi-
Gated today no decision had been
reached as to whether Corporation
Counsel W. w. Bride would be retained
Indefinitely in his present post, as a re-
suit Of the change in the District ad-
ministration.
1t also became apparent that de-
termined fight for the custer of Bride,
which was started more or less openly
LAST March, was still underway and the
names of high-ranking Democrats has
been brought prominently into the ar
gument.
A report published today that Bride
would resign, or be asked TO resign dur.
ing March was dismissed by Commis-
sioner Allen with the statement: THAT
looks like some newspaper talk"
Bride said he had no comment to
make. He added he was too busy with
the work of his Office to engage in the
speculation
Submitted to Farley.
lItIG IS Sdlu W nave pttIl COllSlOcl
able controversy over the matter, how
ever and the question has been before
Postmaster General Farley, although it
has been stated that the administra,
tion's chief patronage dispenser had
made no commitments in the case.
Joseph P. Tumulty, who was secre-
tary to President Wilson, Is opposing
Bride, and Alfred E. Smith is repre-
sented as supporting the corporation
counsel at the instance of Smiths long
time friend William F. Kenney, New
York millionaire. The Bride and
Kenney families are connected by mar
riage.
Mr.. Tumulty, in a formal statement
today, admitted he opposes Bride, but
disclaimed the reasons for this oppo--
sition attributed in a published report
appearing today.
Explains Opposition.
He said:
Il was asked by warm personal
friend to urge Mr.. Brides reappolnt-
ment as an official entitled to Demo-
cratic recognition because of his loyalty
to the Democratic party. I refused to
Postmaster General or opposed Mr.
grounds as those indicated in the
article.
"Mr. Bride knows the grounds Of my
opposition to him. I have made plain
to Gov. Smith in certain letters ad-
dressed to him how feel about this
matter. I am willing to discuss this
matter publicly or privately with Mr.
Bride, or with anyone interested in his
personally conducted candidacy. I am
not, as the article indicated, the spear
head of the opposition to Mr.. Bride
nor am opposing him on the grouno
that he is & dry; nor is there ANYTHING
personal to Mr.. Bride in my attitude.
Cite Democratic Record.
Friends of Bride insist he has a long
record of activity as Democrat ano
they are said to have gathered evidence
of his affiliations with the Democratic
party over many years. At the same
time, there have been protests thai
Bride contributed to the Republican
campaign fund in recent year, but
friends of Bride counter with the dec.
laration that at the same time the cor
poration counsel voted for Smith FOL
President.
Some years ago Bride was under con.
sideration for appointment as justice
of the District Supreme Court. His op-
ponents are said to have produced g
record showing his candidacy for thai
post had the Endorsement Of F. Scott
Mcbride, dry leader, who opposed the
election of Smith.
Friends of Bride say the Mcbride in.
dorsement came about without the
knowledge of Bride and merely was q
response to a question put to the leader
of the Anti-Saloon League as to the
position of that organization on candi-
dates for numerous positions, in keeping
with the then existing policy Of the ad-
ministration.