Up Bob, Down Bobby

For four long weeks, Democrats in the New York state senate and assembly had been deadlocked in a ludicrous leadership fight between forces backed by New York City's Mayor Robert Wagner and a coalition allied with Senator Bobby Kennedy.

Wagner simply wanted Senator Joseph Zaretzki and Assemblyman Anthony Travia, both of whom had served as legislative leaders when the Democrats were in the minority, to move up in well-organized succession to the majority-leadership posts. The Kennedy coalition wanted to move its own men in.

Republicans could hardly be blamed for enjoying the Democratic spectacle, but Governor Rockefeller's entire legislative program was being held up, and early last week he decided the stalemate had gone on long enough. He met with G.O.P. legislative leaders, advised them to intervene in the Democratic squabble and cast their votes for the Wagner candidates.

"Black Day." Thus at midweek, Republican Senator John Hughes arose with a resolution. For days past he had been nominating Fellow Republican Earl Brydges for majority leader. But not this time. Now Senator Hughes asked "that Joseph Zaretzki be named president pro tem."

The anti-Wagner uproar could have been heard in Schenectady. "This is a very, very black day in the tradition and history of the legislature!" cried Brooklyn Democrat Irwin Brownstein. "What is happening here wasn't created in the senate. It was in the Governor's office and at Gracie mansion [Wagner's official residence]." Buffalo Democrat Frank Glinski roared: "Hitler burned down the Reichstag because he couldn't get majorities! Somebody may put a match to this place soon, too." All to no avail: with all 25 Republican senators joining 15 Democrats, the senate elected Zaretzki, 40 to 18. Zaretzki was as surprised as anyone by the sudden turn. Quipped he: "I'm glad somebody finally realizes the great job I was doing as minority leader here for eight years."

Next day, with 46 Republicans joining 35 Democrats, the assembly elected Wagner Man Travia as speaker. Again there were shouts of protest. Complained Brooklyn Democrat Bertram Podell: "He had the votes right in his pocket--the fellow down in city hall. It's a disgrace." Shouted another: "What you Republicans are doing is evil! It's wrong! It's immoral!" When Travia ascended to the speaker's rostrum, many anti-Wagner Democrats turned their backs on him; his main rival, Brooklyn's Stanley Steingut, stalked out without pausing to offer congratulations.

Split Wide Open. Democratic State Chairman William McKeon, whom Wagner had accused of bribery at one point during the battle, called a press conference, branded senators who had voted for Zaretzki "Wagner-fellers" and "Rocky-crats." Said McKeon: "At best it was a union between city hall and the Governor's mansion in the finest of shotgun-wedding traditions. The two guns held by each of these men were aimed at the eyes of the public." Mayor Wagner replied by again demanding that McKeon resign. That sort of bitterness seemed likely to keep New York Democrats split wide open for a long time.

While both Rockefeller and Wagner quite naturally denied a deal, both came out of the mess rather well. Wagner, who announced that he would seek a fourth term as mayor, gained in prestige, picked up control of over $4,000,000 in patronage; the Governor enhanced the chances for approval of his record $3.5 billion budget, which includes a $530 million tax increase. As for Bobby Kennedy, he allowed as how he had not really been involved in the fight anyhow. But, he said grimly, it "is unfortunate that things have developed to the point that the leadership of the Democratic Party is decided by the Republicans."

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