Searching Party

In Suite 1625-1633 of Manhattan's Hotel Roosevelt, Republican Governor Nelson Rockefeller put the matter squarely to Republican Senator Jacob K. javits: the G.O.P. stood its best chance since Fiorello La Guardia to capture New York City's mayoralty--and Jack Javits, a remarkable vote getter, was the man to do the job. In urging Javits to run, Rockefeller was playing for high stakes: a Republican victory in New York City next November would help Rocky carry the state next year and greatly enhance his chances for the 1964 G.O.P. presidential nomination.

Jack Javits agonized over the decision. He had compelling personal reasons for returning to New York. His raven-haired wife Marion loathes Washington and refuses to live there; Javits therefore commutes by plane between Washington and New York two or three times a week. But Javits likes the Senate, and can satisfy his deep interest in foreign policy there. Said a top Republican who was present at the Roosevelt Hotel meeting: "Jack really has visions of public service and thinks he can do more in Washington than New York. Also, being the only Jew in the Senate means a great deal to him." Last week, therefore, Jack Javits finally and firmly declined to run for mayor.

Home to Bed. That decision shook New York Republicans, particularly since recent private polls have shown that Javits could handily defeat Democratic Mayor Robert Wagner. At first glance, it would seem that even the Ritz Brothers could beat "Bumbling Bob" Wagner. His administration has been spattered by scandal. His lurching efforts to satisfy all of New York City's warring Democratic factions have satisfied none. He recently underwent surgery to remove a tumor behind the ear, and his health remains dubious. Last week, pale and drawn as he attended a Democratic banquet honoring Bronx Boss Charles Buckley, Wagner ate nothing, stayed only 17 minutes, then announced that he had to go home to bed.

But if Bob Wagner has won no dedicated admirers, neither has he won many dedicated enemies. New York's general feeling about Wagner is summed up by a liberal Democratic leader: "Bob isn't a bad man--just a little incompetent." In heavily Democratic New York City, the absence of strong feelings against Wagner is a Republican handicap. The G.O.P. cannot hope to beat nothing with nothing, and must therefore come up with a strong candidate.

In the G.O.P. search after Javits' withdrawal, the name of Paul Fino, 47, five-term Republican Congressman from the Democratic Bronx, was proposed. Sniffed one Republican: "Who the hell is Fino?" Also mentioned were: New York Herald Tribune Publisher John Hay Whitney, 56, who has never run for important elective office; Representative John Lindsay, 39, an attractive, consistent vote getter from Manhattan's Silk Stocking District; and Chase Manhattan Bank President David Rockefeller, 45, youngest of Nelson Rockefeller's four brothers. But Whitney, Lindsay and David Rockefeller were all reluctant to make the attempt.

One Out of Three. That left one Republican well in front: New York State's able Attorney General Louis Jacob Lefkowitz, 56. Born and bred in Manhattan's Lower East Side slums, sad-eyed Louis Lefkowitz worked his way through Fordham law school, worked faithfully for the Republicans during their leanest years, was tapped as a city judge by La Guardia, later did handsomely in private law practice, and has proved himself a hard and effective campaigner.

Like Javits, Lefkowitz could count on strong support from New York City's Jewish voters. But unlike Javits, he would not be likely to win the endorsement of the city's Liberal Party--and the 300,000 votes that the Liberals usually command have long been considered necessary for a Republican victory. The G.O.P.'s private polls indicate that Lefkowitz would give Bumbling Bob Wagner a close race and might triumph--but to do so he, or any other Republican or Fusion candidate, would have to win over one out of every three voters who supported Wagner in 1957.

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