Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-09

Mayor AshbridEe Explains Chief Eng
lish's Visit to Mr.. Wanamaker.


A dispatch from Philadelphia last night
says. The reply of Mayor Ashbridge to
the communication of the citizens com
mittee relative to the English Wanamaker
episode of a few weeks ago was made pub
lie tonight. This committee was appointed
Il. mass meeting held two weeks ago to
protest against the alleged methods of Di-
rector Of Public Safety English in attempt
ing to influence Mr.. Wanamaker to have
newspaper attacks against the city ad-
nlinistration stopped The duty of the
committee was to forward to the mayor
resolutions adopted by the mass meeting
calling upon him to investigate the affair.
and If Mr. English could not disprove the
charge of blackmai that the mayor dis
Miss the director. and also if the mayor
could not clear himself of the completely
that he should resign.
The committee in its communication
asked for public investigation by a COM
mittee of citizens to be appointed one by
the chairman of the town meeting un1
one each by the board Of trade, the Trades
League. the commercial exchange, and the
Manufacturers Club.
The mayor in his reply denies that d.
rector English visited Mr.. Wanamake- in
the capacity of public official. but says
his visit was purely that Of private clti-
zen to protest against the publications in
the North American (which Is owned by
MIR. Wanamakers SOM regarding Director
Enflish's private affairs and those Of his
family. The mayor says that Mr.. Wanna
maker had previously informed Mr.. English
that he did not approve Of such publica-
TONS and that Mr.. Wanamaker had in
vited Mr.. English to call upon him in case
of occurrences Of such Objectionable pub
lcations. The call. the mayor said. was,
therefore. in pursuance of this invitation.
Continuing, the mayor says that the pre-
amble preceding the resolutions which re-
calls that the director of public safety Wis
itei Mr.. Wanamaker in his official capacity
being founded on IL mistake. the resoiu-
lions themselves, must. of course. fail.
Furthermore the mayor says. an investigd-
tirn by representatives of various organl-
cations could have no effect. of
the committee would have a legal right IL
act i'll the matter. and would have no au-
thority To require the attendance of wit
u,S$eS.
Relative To the demand that Mr. English
be dismissed. unless his innocence can he
clearly established. the mayor saws that
from, the earliest days of the Anglo-Saxon
race AN accused person has been presumed
Innocent. yet the committee he SAYS
would have him now apply directly oppo-
site rule In the case of trusted official
Under such test. he says. man could
ever be safe.
The mayor makes no direct comment or
the request for his own resignation HI
concludes his letter follows: Il recog
MIC the right of every citizen and news.
paper to criticise all my official and pub
lie acts. and / shall now and at all times
welcome You when 1t shall please you Il
call for that purpose. but / protest against
the willful. groundless and indiscriminats
defamation of personal character for any
caCse. and especially when prompted b,
motives Of personal and political males
right to defend my personal and family In
terests. and shall ever accord the sam,
right to all city employees while I remain
mayor"