RFK Meets with Mayor Wagner

Feb. 16, 1965 - Senator Robert F. Kennedy went to New York City Hall today to discuss poverty and ended up pledging support to Mayor Robert Wagner in the Mayor’s expected campaign for re-election next fall. The Senator, who has been pictured as locked with Wagner in a struggle for more power in the state Democratic party, arrived at City Hall almost unnoticed at 10:20 a.m. and went directly to the office of City Council President Paul Screvane.

Screvane is the Antipoverty Operations Coordinator for the city. Word of Kennedy’s presence quickly spread, and from then on City Hall was in an uproar until he left.

Before he departed, the Senator visited Mayor Wagner for a 10-minute courtesy call. At the end of it, the two men posed behind the Mayor’s desk for photographers.

After the Senator left Screvane’s office, he held a 15-minute press conference in which he declared he was not allied with anti-Wagner forces in the Democratic party.

“I consider Mayor Wagner my friend,” Kennedy said. “He was very helpful to me in my campaign. He has done a fine job as Mayor. I am for him for re-election.”

The Senator also disclaimed any desire to “take over” the Legislature, which the Democrats now control for the first time in 30 years.

Asked to sum up his role in state politics, Kennedy said, “It is obviously one in which I should have an active interest and some responsibility.”

A questioner recalled that yesterday Mayor Wagner had called for 1,100 more policemen for the city’s force and asked the Senator for his view of the crime problem in New York.

“There must be strong law enforcement, and law enforcement agencies must have effective public support,” Kennedy replied. “But that is not the entire answer. Some of the answer lies in improper home environment, a lack of proper education, and insufficient job opportunities.”

Speculation about a power struggle between Kennedy and Wagner gained momentum during the month-long deadlock over Democratic leadership of the Legislature. The fight was between forces aligned with some county leaders who were among the original backers of Kennedy for the Senate and forces friendly to Wagner. Kennedy professed neutrality throughout the struggle.

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