The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-26
GAS TENTACLES
ON PHILADELPHIA
Now Millionaire Quaker Heads
the Fight Against Corrup-
tionists.
Citizens Hard at Work Forcing
Councilmen to Desert the
Grabbers.

Councilmen to Desert the
Grabbers.
Philadelphia, May 26.-sThe com
mittee of seventy has engaged Joseph
G, Erbauch of New York as it's special
counsel to probe the corruption and rot
Of Philadelphia, y said John G;
Winston, chairman Of the committee, OF
seventy, today. I'VE are after Dig
game, and it will be strange if some,
body does not go to the Penitentlary. :
form movement is millionaire Quaker,
wholly inexperienced in practical poll
tics, but one Of the shrewdest and most
successful business men in this city of
His business is that of
book publisher. He is about so years
old. For years he has been a Quaker
man of peace, but now all his sup
pressed fighting blood has been aroused
and he is devoting his entire time and
energy, to the warfare against corrupt
politicians and corrupting millionaires.
always been the men whom he now at
tacks as responsible for the shame that
has fallen! upon the city. He is not a
crank, he has no fads and he has no
political ambitions.
Grip Of Corporation.
"You have no idea Of the ramifca-
tions Of a great corporation like the
United Gas Improvement company"
continued Mr.. Winston. cit extends
into every walk of life in Philadelphia;
into the banks, the trust companies, the
business houses, the lawyers Offices
arNd even the homes ~.
II set out yesterday to engage spe-
eial counsel for the committee Of seven
ty, man capable Of coping with the
eminent gentlemen already announced
as counsel for the other side. wanted
q man who could and would probe into
this condition. Of rottenness and corrup.
ton that fairly envelopes our city.
"Could I find such a manq No. All
the noted lawyers of the town suitab BILE
up by this great corporation, either di.
rectly or thru it's allies.
IT went to see Samuel Dickson, in
the office Of Bullitt & Dickson, where
the Bullitt charter, under which Phila.
delphia is governed was born: And
what did Mr.. Dickson say:H Il regret
very much, Mr.. Winston, that the eli
ents of this firm include interests which
preclude the possibility of us partici
pating in any attack upon the United
Gas Improvement company, and its af
flliated interests.
! Check to Help Work.
"And within few hours Of that time
received from William G. Bullitt, sol
Of a highly esteemed father, who wal
Mr.. Dtckson,s law partner, liberia
check and a warm Endorsement Of GU:
work. sz2:s,s;s5ss,is 81. rs Ts9
The next lawyer I went to see wa,
George Tucker Bispham, general counse
for the Girard Trust company, q mos
eminent man, and he pointed out tina
the trust interests he represented com
PEELED him to remain inactive in tn
work.
"Name me half dozen Of the lead
ing lawyers of. Philadelphia, the mel
Of national prominence, and I will nam
you half a dozen lawyers who are re
tanned in the pay Of this gas corpora
ton. That is why was Compelled t,
Igo to New York to seek man who wa
outside Of the system that has our cit.
in its grasp"
Mayor Weaver in Control
! = It is the general opinion that Mayo
Fight with the republican leaders owe
the proposed lease of the city ga
works. There is much speculation as t.
what will be the next move.
Developments today are expected
come from the Organization Insu,
! ance Commissioner Durham and hi
I ieutenants were in conference late Las
night and their deliberations were re
sumed today. Later Durham consulte
with United States Senator Penrose.
There is still some talk Of impeacl
ment proceedings against the mayor
and there is no longer any denial tina
! this course has been seriously consi6
cred by the leaders and their legal a6
; visers. Those who advise against thi
step argue that any attempt to i'm
peach Mayor Weaver at this time woul
with the public.
Just now the attitude Of the men
bers Of the council is giving the lea6
| ers almost as much concern az an
other feature of their contest with tn
: mayor.
Veto Of Gas Lease.
=, Both sides are preparing for mex
thursdays meeting Of councils, whe1
unless something intervenes, the mayo
will forward his veto Of the new Ga,
works Lease ordinance to both branche
The Organization leaders, M
4 NAAAAA eAo oVotO CoutLOT INCN1CQO
have announced confidently that ther
Will be no trouble whatever in passin
the lease over the mayors veto.
The mayor and his friends are becon
ing more confident every day ths
they will be successful in blocking til
Organization" plans, and that th
veto will stand. To accomplish this en-,
j every effort is being made to Undue
councilmen who voted on May IS
favor of the lease, to sustain the vet
In this they have the active cooper,
!: ton of citizens in every ward.
Extraordinary pressure is bein
brought to bear wherever councilma
) shows signs Of weakening. In one il
!. stance committee of determined cit
: zens in a suburban ward hunted near]
: all night for member Of select cou1
5 Gil who obviously. was avoiding Their
: Early in the morning the committee a
! peared at the mans house, routed hi
!. out Of bed, and, while he stood bar
. footed in his nightclothes, read the
5 resolution to him and extracted fro
l. H. -. Ii 4