The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-11-26


he could enforce it.
For the first time since election,
excepting for a brief vacation in
Virginia and a trip to Chicago for
meeting with United States may
ors, Judge Kern found himself alb
sorbed in a busy civil calendar.
The Mayor elect has found Indi-
annapolis a very unpleasant place
since election, though he hardly
could or would admit so for publica-
ton.
Used to the comparative quiet of
superior court before the excitement
of the campaign, Judge Kern, since
the minute the first reporting pre-
cincts indicated his election, has
been in what politicians say is the
toughest spot in which any mayor
elect ever has found himself.
Besieged by applicants for jobs
and by their political sponsors, he
has been forced to flee his home in
despair and to go into hiding in a
local club, there to figure out a
workable cabinet and to talk con-
tinuously with an apparently endless
stream of visitors on one subject
jobs.
Veteran politicians fail to recall
when any candidate made the race
for mayor under exactly the same
conditions as did Judge Kern.
Last spring, members of the Dem
ocratic party split up into several
factions, each with its own candi-
date for mayor. Party leaders be-
gan looking for a man who could
smooth those factional disturbances
and bring about success in the cleo
ton.
John w. Kern was chosen. The
figures Of the election proved that
he smoothed the differences-but,
that was before the election.
Rival Factions Battle
No sooner had the accurate count
of the votes been announced by the
canvassing board than each faction
began claiming full credit for the
party's success. If there has been
one person apprised of their claims,
that person had been Mayor ELECT
Kern.
The statehouse organization, the
Marion county regular organization,
the Otto Ray-for- Sheriff clubs, the
Baker Characterization courthouse
insurgent group, the Negro leaders
and more-all claimed credit.
While there is no way of verify
ing this from the mayor ELECT, those
who should know say that Just
about the time he decides on a like
ly appointment for some important
post he Immediately finds the un-
friendly groups viciously opposed to
the selection.
Take, for instance, the police
chief post.
Naturally, the present city hall
faction, from Mayor Reginald H
Sullivan on down, speaks with the
highest praise for the present chief,
Michael F. Morrissey.
CIauer Boosts Morrissey
1t is said, also, that William
Clauer, former city chairman, pres
ent county treasurer and beer M
porter, feels Chief MorriSSey should
be retained. Business men are said
to concur and Mr.. Clauer is re-
ported to have rallied the McNutt-
Greenlee-M cHale StatehOuSe group
behind him.
Joel Baker, former city purchas-
ing agent and now probation Of
fcer and political adviser for Grim
inal Judge Frank P. Baker, is
known to be opposed, strenuously, to
Chief Morrisseys reappointment.
Joel Baker is a close friend of
former Chief Claude M. Worley,
now serving a federal sentence at
LeavenWorth for income tax eva
sion.
The judges little henchman, who
managed his campaign so that
Judge Baker led the ticket when
the votes were counted, is said to
have sold many other county Of
fceholders with the idea that this
accomplishment is a sure sign he
is leading the faction which will
have future control.
R. Earl Peters, former Democratic
state chairman; Sheriff Charles
(Buck) Sumner, Sheriff ELECT Ray,
Prosecutor elect Herbert Spencer