Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-23
BITTER FIGHT NOW ON
Mayor Weaver Calls for Sew
eral designations.
STRING TIED TO THEM
BUT IT DID NOT SUIT WEAVER,
WHO MADE ANOTHER DEMAND.
Fierce Struggle for Existence of the
Machine Now Likely
Developments.

PHILADELPHIA, May 2S.-Director of
Public Works Costello and Director of
Public Safety Smyth today at the request
of Mayor Wea - rendered their resigna-
lions. This is the latest and most star
Ting development in the fight against the
lease for seventy-five years of the city
gas works to the United Gas Improve
ment Company.
Each official in rendering his resigna-
ton used the phrase: ITO take effect
when my successor has qualified" These
words are taken in political circles to in
dictate a determination to hold onto the
officers as long as possible. as the success
ors of the two directors must be con-
firmed by a two-thirds vote of select
council. Mayor Weaver evidently took
the same view. as 1t was stated this aft
ernoon that he had notified Messrs. Co.'S
tello and Snyth that the form of the
resignation was not satisfactory and he
gave them two hours to resign without
qualification on pain of removal from
office.
All-Engrossing Topic.
The action of the mayor is the all
engrossing topic of conversation In the
city 1t is safe to say that no such po1iti-
cal sensation has been sprung in the last
twenty-five years. Now that the mayor
has declared war on the republican or
leaders VINO placed him In Of
flee, it is expected that bitter fight will
be waged during the remaining two years
of his term. Including policemen and
f hned there S, are upward of 10000 office
all of them are at the mercy of the
mayor.
The "organiZa ton" leaders headed by
State Insurance Commissioner Durham, ex-
pect that no mercy will be shown and
that every supporter of the Organization"
will be removed from office. No announce
ment has been made of the successors of
Costello and Smyth, but it is rumored that
Thomas L. Hicks, former postmaster. will
be director of public works. and Select
Councilman Alex. Crow, jr., will be director
of public safety. Both men were former
leaders in republican politics, but they
broke away from the Organization" and
have been identified with reform move
ments in late years.
The mayors first move will undoubtedly
be to remove from Office all of the forty
three ward leaders who continue their
fealty to Mr.. Durham. His first move in
this direction was to suspend on Satur
day last Oscar Noll. republican leader Of
the 3Tth ward, and assistant highway
commissioner. Today he directed the sus-
pension of A. r. H. Morrow. assistant d.
rector of the department of supplies.
Other suspensions are expected to fol-
low thick and fast.
Cause of Fight.
The present fight grew out of the deter
mination of the Organization" leaders to
raise S25 100000 for public expenses by
leasing the city gas works to the United
Gas Improvement Company for seventy-five
years. The mayor was utterly ignored in
the transaction. and he has been urged by
the newspapers and reform organizations
to veto the ordinance of councils putting
the deal into effect. This he has insisted
he will do, and the leaders have declared
they will pass 1t over his veto. They can
easily do this, as they control practically
both branches, only Is votes being cast
against the lease in a total membership of
1872. The mayor and all of the leaders re-
fuse to be interviewed or to make any
statement for publication The mayor has
been in constant communication today with
men who have for years been strangers In
the city hall. Those who have been rele-
gated to the rear by the organization are
fiocking to his standard, and on every de
predictions are heard of a fierce political
contest, with the mayor as the leader Of
the reform organization. and dfSgruntied
former officeholders arrayed against the re-
publican organization. The leaders of the
latter are defiant in their expressions
against the mayor and his friends, and ex-
press themselves as perfectly willing to
meet them in battle at the polls. A sheriff
will be elected in November, and there Is
probability of an Independent candidate
against Henry C. RAMSEY, the republican
candidate for that office, who Is at present
president of select council