Evening journal., 1905-05-30
HAS
CONE TOaSMASH.
Durham Surrenders Uncon-
ditionally to Mayor Weaver
Of Philadelphia
REFORM NOW FOR QUAKER CITY

Philadelphia, May 30.-state Insuie
nnce Commissioner Israel W Durham,
leader OF the Republican Organization.
in Phi adelphia fer the last 10 years,
and whose influence reached far into
the interior of Pennsylvania, uncondi-
tionally surrendered to Mayor John
Weaver kgho opened war,on the organ
ization a few weeks ago The action
of Leader Durham was a great surprise
to the people of the city, as all his
lieutenams and the rank and file Of
che organization had been given 10
understand that the fight begun by
MAJOR WcaN,'r over the gas lease
would be foue1 t to finish. 1t had
been aIuouncedShat the fight the or
ganizatioli was milking in the courts
against the mayors new directors
taking office would be carried into Sc
lect council when they mayor sent IN
their names for confirmation. TEe.
mayor and his friends promptly tookf
up the gaugelof battNe ard started to
wage a bitter war on the cCuncilmen
who intended 10 vote against the con-
firmation of the new officials.
Leader Durham sent for the ward
leaders. nearly ell OF whom responded
and pledged their fea'ty to the organ
ization. and it looked as though thel
fight would be a long one. ShortlyA
after this meeting, however, William
s. Ware recorder Of deeds, a close pO-
litical friend of Durham, called upon
the mayer and assured him that he
and his brother, State' Senator George |
A. Ware, would stand by him. The
Ware brothers hold large city contracts, /
among them being the street cleaning
contract for this year This move
caused a sensation in political circles,
and rumors became current tnat the
organization was crumbling. Mr. Dur
ham sent for some Of the ward leaders,
and after a conference he released
them from their pledges to stand by
him. and made the e,following announce
ment:
q have advised my friends not to
oppose the confirmation of A. Lincoln
Acker as director O. public works. ana
! Colonel Sheldon Peter as director Of
public safety, if their names are sent
to select council by the mayor"
The mayor is row practically in con-
troll Of municipal affairs. What the
organization will now do has not yel
been definitely determined. Reform
J organizations of the city have already
announced that they will follow up the
advantage already gained and attempt
/ 20 defeat Harry C. Ransley president
I of select council, who is the Republi-
can rganizatiOn's candidate for sher-
! IN at the November elections.
In an interview Mayor Weaver made
n statement. important to Philadel-
/ phians. to the effect that by the exer-
/ else Of proper economy the city should
/ be able to undertake the various pro-
posed improvements without adding a
penny to the present tax rate, which is
$3.50 on the $780, One of the results
of TIE fight against the organization
IS the probable Abandonment of a
.Scheme to build beautiful boulevard
( from the city hall to Fairmount Park.
This would have cost many millions
Of dollars It Is probable that the
abolition Of grade crossin ngs will be the
first improvement taken mp.
In view of The abandonment Of the
fight against the mayor, it is probable
that the INJUNCTION proceedings insti-
tuted last week and which will come
up fer argument in common pleas
next tomorrow, will be dropped.
Mayor Weaver received the follow
ing telegram from Governor Folk, of
Missouri: Keep mp tine fight. The
cost will sometimes seem hard and the
way dark. but remember. no matter
how mighty the forces of corruption
may be- you have behind you the
strongest machine in the world-the
hearts and consciences Of the people
of America"
Fatal Academia ir Slate Quarries.