Evening star., 1950-08-17
The Political Mil +esu.e
Slick Bit of Politics
Seen in O'Dwyer Move
Democratic Stoke Greater
In Governorship Roee
Bv Go.,lH ineoIn


By Gould Lincoln
The nomination Of Mayor william
ODwyer Of New York to be Ambassador
to Mexico. which will be sent to the
Senate about September /, is what is,
usually called slick bit OF politics.
Mr.. ODwyer was not selected by
President Truman for this appointment
because Of unusual diplomatic or am
bassadorial qualification, and certainly
not because Of any personal affection
for Mr.. O'Dwyer was one Of the leaders
in the plot to put the skids under Presi-
dent Truman in 1948 for denomination.
The selection was made so as to bring
about mayoralty election in New York.
and thereby help to get out big vote in
the city, needed to carry the elections of
Democratic candidates for Governor and
Senator. 1t was mayoralty election in
1949 which brought out big vote in
the metropolitan area and made it easier
for Senator Lehman. Democrat. to de-
feat his Republican opponent. John
Foster Dulles.
This year, with the Governors ofice
also to be fought for, the party stake is
much greater.
Fits in With Ideas.
1t happens, however, that the whole
maneuver fitted in with Mayor O'Dwyers
own predictions. The Mayor. who was
only reelected to that office last Novem-
ber for a four-year term. faced no
happy prospect. Coming up is city
budget big enough to frighten any
mayor. Also. Mayor ODwyer has been
unable to carry through several promises
he made the voters during his 1949 cam
paign. Further, Mr.. O'Dwyer will be
relieved Of the worry over investigations
of the police and into gambling rackets.
He has told friends he was tired. 1t is.
moreover. a pleasant move to Mexico
City with a Government salary Of.
$4,000, many prequisites and an ex-
pense account of $4,000. The Mayor
also takes with him q New York State
pension.
Every one assumes there is to be .
mayoralty election in November. Under
the New York law there must be. if q
vacancy occurs prior to September 20.
Should Mr.. O'Dwyer, however, hold on
to the Mayors Office until after that
date. then the president of the City
Council, Vincent r. Impellitteri, will
become acting Mayor and continue in
Office for the balance Of the ODwyer
term.
The appointment of Mayor ODwyer
to be Ambassador to Mexico was man
aged by Ed" Flynn. Democratic ma
tional committeeman for New York and
Democratic boss of the populouS Bronx.
Indeed, the thing had been lin the
works for weeks. And it did not come
as a great surprise to the Democratic
inner circles in the big city. It compli-
Gates still further the political situation
and at the same time may make 1t easier
going for the Democrats. both in the
selection Of slate Of candidates and on
election day-at least that Is what they
ardently hope.
Plethora Of AspirantS.
Mr.. Impellitterie Immediately an
nounced he would become candidate
for the Democratic nomination for
mayor. The probabilities are. however.
that there will be plethora Of aspirants.
Also, the Democrats still have on their
hands the important task of selecting q
gubernatorial candidate. 1t is assumed
they will renominate the veteran Sena-
tor Lehman.
AS for the Republicans they too, may
have to revise their battle plans. They
have been intent, up to now, on noml-
mating 1t. Gov Joe Hanley for Governor.
strong upstate but not so strong in the
city. With a big vote coming out IN
New York City, due to the mayoralty
fight, Mr. Hanley might not do so well.
It is possible that the demand that
Gov. Dewey stand for reelection will
intensity. The Republicans. like the
Democrats. have until September and
7 to make their gubernatorial and SEN
atorial nominations. They must pick,
too, candidate for Mayor of New York.
A year ago they went into fusion deal
with the Liberal Party. and ran Newbold
Morris for Mayor-but Mr.. O'Dwyer won
by about $4,000 votes. This year, the
Liberal Party has been intent on going
along with the Democratic nominees for
Governor and Senator. What 1t will do
about the mayoralty race remains to be
seen, but it does not look like hook-up
with the Republicans.