The evening times., 1900-02-01

PHlLADELfftlA, rep. Nv Nnetner tne
| deplorabe position in which Philadelphia
has been placed by her failure TO raise the
500 900 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 it 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 ii was stated that the movement would
mean the "wiping OUT of the sub-execu-
tive committee headed by William s. T.
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 have 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-
pointed chairman named a committee to
meet a committee from the cid associa
ti0n and the belief is general that the
fight for the convtntiOn of the SUD-
executive committee has been merely
transferred from yesterdays meeting to the
conference soon to be held by these COM
mittees.
In calling the meeting 20 order, Mayor
Ashbridge reviewed the efforts made to
bring the National Convention to Philadel
phia. Then he said: Il 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 will not discredit the committee,
which, / believe. did everything it could.
The members did not seem to pull together
all OF them-and do not think they pull
together yet. But Messrs Burk. Shields,
and Oellers have told me absolutely that
they cannot raise the money. We are be-
ing caricatured in New York and Chicago,
which is injurious to our reputation.
Henry Burk president of the Old Citi-
zens' Association, was asked by the mayor
10 explain the present financial situation.
when our committee made its pledge in
Washington said Mr.. Burk, ''it felt that
ii had the city behind it,"
did you send a check for $25 600 to
Chairman Hanna?" asked the mayor.
mo" was the reply
How much did you rsise?'
I'VE have about sI2, 900 in cash and about |
S42 600 or $4,000 pledged, and among this |
is a subscription Of s.. 600 which / don't |
think We will ever get"
Can your committee, as al, present con-
stituted. raise the 500, ,000?' asked the |
mayor.
III IL is TO be in my charge would feel |
warranted in saying we cannot
W. 6 p. Shields. who was invited to ad |
dress the meeting. said;
Il concur in all that our president, Mr.. |
Burk. has said except at TO the finances. |
/ only want to say for the sub-executive |
committee that went 10 Washington that |
ii was never in its province TO collect |
Il objected. / do object. and will con-
tinue TO object TO the wiping out of the
sub executive committee" concluded Mr.. |
Shields.
Il did object 10 His Honor when he said
ii would be a wiping out of all committees, |
and said | would have TO be driven out"
Thomas Martndale. former vice presi-
dent of the Citizens Association, said: !
1T is unquestionably true that the rea |
son the 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 understood that
there would be no expenditure of money
except by the National Committee itself,
and that the 800 900 was 10 be paid to the
National Committee. He urged the pres
ent meeting to oranize for the purpose of
the finance committee of the old
association.
Mr.. Shields then threw come light on
the 100000 guarantee fund when he said
The pledges were made by General Bing
ham and Senator Penrose. and We must
uphold them. AS | understood it the |
money is TO go frst for the expenses of
the convention and the balance is to be
turned over TO Senator Hanna TO be used
or campaign purposes. Mr.. Manley agreed |
hat the lithographing and printing would
)e done in this city. Senator Hanna asked
hat $25, 600 be paid over in thirty days, |
md said the National Committee was only
6, 600 in debt. He agreed, however, that
rary purposes"
Before adjournment Mayor Ashbridge, |
IS chairman of the new association, was
TO appoint necessary commit
ees, together with vice chairman. secre-
ary, and treasurer
The British Steamer TurreI Lost.
CORUNNA. Feb. 1.-The report that a