The Ferrick Commission is back from summer vacation to fill your instant political analysis needs.

By the way, we had a wonderful time on the Cote d'Azur, but that's another topic for another day.

The big story on Action News is John White Jr.'s endorsement of Sam Katz for mayor. And the question is:

What does it all mean?

The Commission is unanimous. It is a Big Deal. It gives a Big Boost to Katz. It is Bad News for John F. Street, his Democratic rival.

We will now take the word big and put it back in the box for a rest.

How does the White endorsement help Katz? Let us count the ways:

One. It has the element of surprise, which gives it extra pop. There was talk all summer about Katz courting White, but most folks thought it would come to naught. Most folks were wrong. The move was, for White, audacious - uncharacteristically so. Why would he do it?

At yesterday's news conference, White cited Katz's stands on economic development, on the neighborhoods, and on blah blah blah.

Heart of the matter

Which leads to . . .

Two. As one Commissioner put it, the White endorsement "validates" the Katz candidacy, on several levels.

Katz is a Republican, in a city that is 4-1 Democratic. Not a good thing. It helps to have any prominent Democrat endorse him. But White is especially valuable because his base is among two important groups of Democrats: the black middle class and liberal whites.

It's going to take a lot to persuade these voters to vote for an "R" on Nov. 2. White has just made it easier.

As one Commissioner put it: "It makes it acceptable [for swing Democrats] not only to vote for Katz, but to talk about it."

Another Commissioner said that the White endorsement "inoculates" Katz among these Democrats, in the same way the Rendell endorsement inoculated Street in the primary against charges that he was a wild, irresponsible guy.

Finally, among political insiders, the question will be: How did Street let this one get away?

As Street pointed out yesterday: He and White agree on most of the issues. They are fellow Democrats. They have known each other for 25 years and . . . and . . .

White endorses Katz?

How could this be? Street's take was: "They did a deal . . . a backroom deal." That explanation leaves the Commissioners unimpressed.

So, the Commission score is one for Sam Katz on this first week after Labor Day. There's a little under seven weeks left in the campaign. It's your move, Mr. Street.

Auction for theft victims

There's a good market for these architectural ornaments among antiques dealers, especially out of state. It didn't seem right that the city was, in effect, aiding and abetting the export of these items.

I suggested the city at least hold a private auction beforehand for folks who had similar items stolen from their homes.

District Attorney Lynne Abraham took that suggestion to heart. A private auction for theft victims was held last Thursday. A total of 18 folks either got items for free (because they identified them as identical to the ones stolen) or were able to purchase items for prices ranging from $10 to $25.

I like happy endings, and I'm glad Abraham did the right thing.