The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-19
Joseph e. Bell May BE Sacrificed Like
Jonah to Set the Party Ship on
an Even Keel.
AJAX KEACH STILL UNAFRAID
SIR THOMAS HAS NO TERRORs FOR
THE DOUGHTY POTATO MAN.
He VIII Get q Square Deal, Reach
Says, After that Let Him Save
Himself Who Can.

The progress of the contest for control of
the Democratic city committee. according
to some men in close touch with it, has
reached an acute stage. According to in
dications, judged from their viewpoint,
contest for nomination for a fourth term
as mayor. In fact, it was said last night
by party workers, who assumed to know,
that the circumstances justified the expec-
tation of an announcement by Taggart
soon. Whether this will come before the
organization of the committee or af:erward
is regarded merely as a matter of form.
To recognize Taggart as a candidate
changes the whole character Of the Demo-
cratic drama If he enters the list il must
be with the knowledge of Joseph E. Bell,
in whose behalf he has been working to
control the organization. Mr.. Taggart has
said more than once that he was for Bell
The last meeting held at the Grand Hotel
in Bells interest was presided over by him.
although the nominal purpose of the meet
ing was to advance the scheme to make
John w. Kern, Bells law partner, city
chairman. This the counter move to
the Reach fight for control. So If Taggart
should become a candidate it is believed
to be because the Taggart machine has
learned he is the only man II can control
the organization with or can capture the
nomination with. His candidacy would
sidetrack Bell
TAGGART MACHINE SCHEME.
According to gossip, the scheme Of the
Taggart machine has been to make Bell
mayor, Kern United States senator or
man and Thomas Taggart national chair
man. The movement for James L. Reach
as city chairman was surprise to the
big Four" He was regarded as an avail
able candidate for mayor later on or
candidate for county treasurer next year.
His announcement that he wanted control
of the organization and was not seeking
public office was jar TO the scheme. But
the machine had faith that il could knock
out Reach. The first effort in behalf of the
reelection of Tanning as city chairman
was an astonishing revelation. II disclosed
that Reach had been creating a personal
organization for a year or more among the
machine and anti-machine workers. So
Tanning was dropped out of the chairman
ship race and Kern's name presented. This
did not stampede the Reach organization,
as may have been expected.
Bell has been making a canvass of the
whole cit- in the interest of the organiza-
tion He Is the head Of the Kern forces
and whatever result has come from the
work of those forces is known to him and
Taggart. Ii is believed that if Bell has
been able TO find that he cannot control the
organization Taggart has made up his mind
to Jump into the fight with his abundant
resources and save control. IL he succeeds
where Bell fails he becomes the logical
nominee for mayor. This Is regarded as
the consequence Of his maneuvers.
James l. Reach attended meeting of
Third ward supporters last night at the
Office OF George Wolf In the Lemcke build
ing. About dozen were present. among
them Wolf. Jacob i. Dunn, Evans Woollen
Dr. w. s. Beck and Edward b. Raub. As
the Third ward Is Kerrl's ward. the meeting
was regarded important After the
meeting Mr.. Reach was asked IL he had
heard that Taggart was TO become a can
Sidate.
KEACH NOT SCARED.
..I have heard that asserted" he said
but know nothing sure. II Mr.. Tag
gart should become a candidate would not