The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-09-23

ernor Al Smith is all through as 3 popular leader.
 What is happening in New York is that peiehbOfh0Od poll tics is disappearing, along with
 neighbOrho0d social life. In many sections of the city 1t has disappeared altogether. In its place has risen . .rea1lgnment of the voters along the lines of
 their vocati0n and economic position. si';-, "a
 One source of Tammany's strength was the social unity of blocs of voters living in the same district. This was fostered in the local political clubs and corner bars, and by picnics, "block par- ties" and the like. People knew and mingled with their neighbors, voted for members of "tlleir own crowd. fs
 That geographical division of the city has broken down. The average New Yorker's social group is now composed of. acquaintanceS scattered all over tho city, and tied together by common interest in a labor union, line of business, or some other factor. instead of mere proximity Proportional represen- tation. under which City Council men will be selected by mathe- nautical system based on the city, wide vote, rather than by districts, is. going to hasten the process. Futile Strategy
 Tamnany, however, tried :o campaign in the same old way. How futile its tstratesy was is illustrated by meeting of Brook 1yn Democrats which Al Smith addressed. The hall was halt- filled. The meeting opened with the same old cries of Give 1t to 'em, All" But the old master was not the same; the old fire and enthusiasm were gone. He seemed to realize that even his friends would not be aroused by old ap- peals. ..7 .s ...
 Smith made his principal
 point by adding the federal, state, and city debts together to the grand total of 40 billions, which would have to be paid someday out of taxes. His voice
 grew tired. Applause was meagre. And when the votes were counted Smiths crowd had lost Brooklyn, and every other borough except Manhattan, by sizeable pluralities.
 NOTE-Although Senator Cope land tried to make capital of the Klan issue created by the case of Justice Black. his chief supporter, Al Smith, never mentioned 1t. In 1928, when the Solid South re- fused to vote for the Catholic Al, Hugo Black was one of the few Democrats who .defied the Klari and supported hirns' 'r' -. Pals ''
 What difference a few years make! ..
 When Bennett Clark, son of Champ, made his first race for the Senate in 1882. he was fierce ly opposed by Tom Pendergast, the squat, bulky boss of the no- torious Kansas City Democratic machine. 'ria s4 t'
 Touring Missouri in a battered car, and laInbasting PendergaSt at every stop, Clark amazed both friends and foes by emerging the victor. r sr, t.'*
 Clark came to Washington a rootin'- -tootin' New Dealer, was welcomed with open arms and given the patronage plus of his state. Chief among his appoin- tees was Maurice Mulligan, . close friend. for federal district attorney of western Missouri,
 Following the 1896 election, young Mulligan launched a sem sational attack on vote frauds that already has put several Pen- dergast henchmen bshind the bars and may do the same to some others.
 Last week, following a secret conference with Clark, Boss Pendergast announced the glad tidings that Clark will have his blessing next lear when he comes up for reelection.
 ''fn my opinion," he said, "Clark has made a wonderful senator and 1t is, my belief that he will be renominated and elected" Pie Divided ..al Y. v {. z.
 Also revealed was the significant fact that an agreement had been reached between them, under which Clark henceforth would handle the dishing out of jobs in the eastern half Of the state and Senator Harry Truman, Pen- dergast lieutenant, the western half. 's
 This raises the auestion--what becomes of MuIlfgan, Clark's