The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-01

a-PIedGes of Liberal COntrIbu-
tions to the Committee Not Kept.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. Whether the
deplorable position in which Philadelphia
has been placed by her failure to raise the
500. 600 guarantee fund for the Republican
National Convention has been improved
by the meeting Of business men and poll
ticians in the mayors Office yesterday aft
ernoon. is a matter Of grave conjecture IN
the minds Of many who have closely
watched the trend of affairs since the
Quaker City was awarded the convention.
Sixty Of the $50 men invited by Mayor
Ashbridge attended yesterdays meeting,
! and il was resolved TO form an association.
Ito raise funds for the convention and to
take up the whole scope Of the work" Al
though when this conference was plan
ned IL was stated that the movement would
mean the "wiping out" OF the sub-execu-
tive committee. heaGad by William S p
Shields which has had charge of the local
arrangements no such action was speci-
fically taken.
Indeed a stubborn but unsuccessful fight
was made to nave the committee headed
by Mr.. Shields. recognized and authorized
TO continue its work.
The Shields men last night held that
their position is no weaker than before
the conference and are not without hope
of ultimate recognition. They manifest no
inclination whatever to step aside. The
association Of which the mayor was ap-
Cd OH "a
meet a committee from the cid associa-
ton, and the belief is general that the
tight for the COnytntion Of the SUD-
executive committee has been merely
transferred from yesterdays meeting to the
conference soon 10 be held by these com
mittees.
In calling the meeting 70 order Mayor
Ashbridge reviewed the efforts made to
bring the National Convention TO Philadel-
phia. Then he said: made no pledge
Of any kind. and as chief executive !
have no interest except for the honor and
credit OF the city. You. gentlemen I
hope viii not discredit the committee
which. ! believe. did everything Z could
The members did not seem TO pull together
all Of them-and ] do not think they pull
together yet But MessTs- BuEk Shields
and' Oellers have told me absolutely that
they cannot raise the money. We are be-
which is injurious 70 our reputation.
Henry Burk, president OF the Old Citi-
zens' Association. was asked by the mayor
20 explain the present financial situation.
When our committee made its pledge in
Washington said Mr.. Burk 1T felt that
il had the city behind it.
Did you send a check FOR So 900 to
Chairman Hanna o. asked the mayor.
no, =" was the reply
How much did you raise %
I'VE have about 81. 00O in cash and about
So, 600 or $4,000 pledged. and among this
is a subscription OF s.. OOs which / don't
think We viii ever get"
Can your committee, as a. present con-
stituted. raise the SlO0. Gee asked the
mayor.
II IL is to be in my charge I would feel
warranted In saying we cannot
W. s p. Shields. who was invited to ad-
dress the meeting. said:
Il concur in all that our president. Mr.
Burk. has said except at 10 the finances.
/ only want to say for the sub-executive
committee that went TO Washington that
it was never in its province 10 collect
money
I objected. ! DO object. and viii con-
tinUe TO object 20 the wiping out OF the
sub-eXecutive committee" concluded Mr.
Shields
Il old object TO His Honor when he said
IL would be a wiping out Of all committees.
and ! said / would have to be driven cut"
Thomas Martindale. a former vice presi-
dent Of the Citizens Association. said
ut Is unquestionably true that the rea-
son thu funds have not come in is that
the actions Of this self-styled sub-execu-
tive committee have not beer approved by
the public"
Former Mayor Warwick unders TODD that
there would be no expenditure Of money
except by the National Committee itself
and that the 100000 was 90 be paid 20 the
National Committee. He urged the pres
ent meeting 10 cranize for the purpose OF
assisting the finance committee Of the old
association.
Mr. Shields then threw come light on
the S10O.v9a guarantee fund when hc said:
The pledges were made by General Bing-
ham and Senator Penrose, and We must
uphold them As I understood il the
money is TO go FIRST for the expenses Of
the convention and the balance is 10 be
turned over TO Senator Hanna 10 be used
for campaign purposes. Mr.. ManleS agreed
that the hthOgraphing and printing would
be done in this city. Senator Hanna asked
that $4,000 be paid over in thirty days,
and said the National Committee was only
$4,000 in debt. He agreed, however that
the So. 900 would be used partly for lit
erary purposes"
Before adjournment Mayor Ashhridge,
as chairman Of the new association Was
10 appoint necessary commit
tees, together with vice chairman. secre-
tary AMI treasurer.