Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-08
Crump's Defeat Routs
One Of Last Bis-City i.
Political Machines
BY the Associated Pres.

NEW YORK, Aug. THE defeat
of Tennessee's long time political
leader, E. H. Crump, in violence
marked primary apparently routed
from a position of power one of
Americas last big-city machines.
Mr.. Crump. Statewide power
for two decades in Tennessee poll
tics, had ruled longer than many
politicians on the American political
scene. Il.
The ballot landslide Was similar
in proportions to those with which
the Memphis chieftain himself had
buried his opposition without set
back during the past 20syears.
Unlike. Mr.. Crump, some big city
bosses stepped out while still riding
high on waves OF popularity.
An assassin's bullets ended the
reign of one and prison term on
income tax evasion charges pulled
down still another.
OF the old-time big-city bosses,
Mr.. Crump perhaps is one of the
! last.
The influence of big-city political
machines, like the power of their
rulers, has waned in recent years.
Two Still in Power.
However. at least two--in New
Jersey and Louisiana--stil are
dominant political forces.
In Jersey City, N. j., Frank
Hague a year ago last June abdl-
Gated the mayoralty post he had
held for 80 consecutive years.
But Mr. Hague left hand
picked successor in his place, his
nephew, Frank Hague Eggers.
When Mr. Hague retired as may
or of the industrial city of 100000
across the Hudson river from New
York, he made it clear he intended
to keep his power as city, county
and state Democratic party chief
tain, as we'll as his post as VICE
chairman of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee.
I'll be around. Don't worry" he
told followers. "I'll be around for
a long time
His announcement brought an
entirely different reaction from the
one Democratic governor who. had
failed to follow Mr.. Hague's die
tates while in office.
Charles Edison, governor from
1941 to 1914, termed the Hague
resignation good news" but said
lit does not, by any means, end
Hagueism."
Kelly Steps Down.
About six months before Mr.
Hague's retirement, another big
city boss, Edward ]. Kelly. of Chi
cago, had stepped down from the
pinnacle of power in Democratic
politics in that city.
Mr.. Kelly, self-styied political
boss" had ruled for II years over
the Cook County organization-and
his machine had clicked until it
suffered its first and only major
defeat in the Republican 1916 Con-
gressional election avalanche that
cost it many Chicago Offices.
Mr.. Kelly called it quits at 70
in declining public Endorsement
from party chaefss:for fifth teyra'
as Mayor ofsxshieaso after@ some
privately had expressed doubt he
could win again.
Mr.. Kelly supported Martin H.
Kennedy, SO, another Democrat,
who entered politics after a career
as a businessman and civic leader.
Mr.. Kennellg WAS elected with
much Independents seaport, and has
kept aloof from The old Kelly lead
ers. Mr.. Kelly remains as Illinois
Democratic national committeeman.
In Kansas City, Mo, odd Tom"
Pendergast welded power for many
years. He was sent to Federal prison
by the Government on income tax
evasion charges-and later died,
stripped of all political power and
prestige.
The various factions of the one
time Pendergast machine now are