Perot, Mayors to Discuss Aid to Inner Cities

A group of Democratic and independent mayors plans to meet with Ross Perot today to discuss federal help for inner cities in the aftermath of the Los Angeles riots.

Perot, the Texas tycoon who is readying an independent presidential campaign, asked for the meeting at his Dallas campaign headquarters, Boston Mayor Raymond L. Flynn said.

Although presidential politics isn’t explicitly on their agenda, Flynn said, “whatever comes up, we’ll discuss.” He said Perot asked for “an honest evaluation of how . . . the federal government could be helpful meeting needs of American cities.”

Flynn, a Democrat and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, said the mayors are not bringing offers of support for Perot. But he did not rule out supporting Perot’s independent campaign.

In addition to Flynn, mayors planning to meet with Perot include Democrats Maureen F. O’Connor of San Diego, Michael White of Cleveland, Sharpe James of Newark, N.J., and independent Xavier Suarez of Miami, who supported President Bush in 1988.

Flynn said he has met with expected Democratic nominee Bill Clinton in the past and may do so again Friday. He said the mayors asked for a similar private meeting with Bush nearly a year ago “but haven’t been able to get past his handlers.”