The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-27
MAYOR is MORE CONFIDENT
IN HIS GREAT GAS FIGHT
One Philadelphia Councilman Says II
He Votes for the Lease He viii
Be Run Out of His
Ward.

Phlladelpnla, may 20 Ahe sieuoeioa -
growing brighter every minute" said
Mayor Weaver late this evening. when
asked what progress he was making in
his effort to stay the extension of the
lease of the city gas works.
He would not give figures, nor go into
other details, but contented himself with
saying he had received assurance from
many councilmen who had voted for the
lease last week that they would sup
port him In his veto. Leaders of the re-
publican organization which is advocat-
ing the lease continue to remain silent.
There are however, signs that some of
the eouncilmen are breaking away under
the tremendous pressure of their consti-
tuents, and will probably go along with
the mayor. The all-absorbing point of
interest is whether the mayor will sue
ceed in getting enough to defeat the bill
when it shall come up next Thursday
for passing over his veto.
Organization Stands Pat.
The organization still stands on its
statement that it will pass the ordinance
In spite of his disapproval The record
u to this evening shows that the mayor
has ten select council, and 20 members
of common council with him. In select
council there are AZ members. To pass
the ordinance over the mayors veto the
organization needs 26 votes, and the mayor
Il to sustain him. The membership of
common council is S4. Here the organiza-
ton needs 81 votes, and the mayor 81.
The first important move of the new
administrations move that was of vital
Importance to organization men. who
hold city contracts-was taken today
W en- the new director of public works,
Aeker annulled the advertisement for
bids for street cleaning for 1906. The con-
tract will aggregate about $1,000, 600. The
contract for this year Is held by the
Ware Bros, one of whom is state sena-
tor, and the other recorder of Deeds This
action was taken by Acker In a letter
to Samuel Sutcliffe, chief of the bureau
of street cleaning. Mr.. Sutclife was in
structed to recall all specification blank
forms of proposal, etc. The new bids were
TO have been opened June /. While Mayor
Weaver and Director Acker refused to
discuss this action, it was learned from
an authoritative source that new speci-
provide for a liberal extension of time for
the submission OF bids.
All the principal figures in the struggle
for supremacy kept behind closed doors
most of the day.
Numerous Conferences Held.
The mayor had numerous conferences
with his attorneys and lieutenants on
mn to ho
that will have it's real start next Mon
day. In the offices of United States SEN
ator Penrose. where organization head
quarters have been temporarily establish
ed, many conferences were held during
tn day and evening.
The struggle to hold or win councilmen
is growing hotter and many of the city
fathers" have expressed the wish that
they had never been elected to the Leg
sative body. They declare that they owe
all their success in life to the organiza-
tion. and that 1t would be an extreme
act of disloyalty to go back on their
leaders in time of trouble
Great Pressure Brought to Bear.
Then on the other hand the pressure
brought to bear by neighbors under other
constituents, and even business asso-
cites, to abandon the organization and
upnolu the mayor, Is 50 great lidt lney
don't know what they shall do. Some of
the councilmen are pursued even into the
privacy of their homes and delegations
are calling on them at all hours of the
day and night The first man to be won
over today came to the mayors office
with delegation of constituents. He
was Charles e. Connell of the common
council. He was with the mayor about
ten minutes. When he left the office
he was asked II he was going to vote
against the lease, and with considerable
show of feeling he said:
MY God, what else is there for me to
do? If I don't vote against the lease l
will be run out of my ward. | cannot
help myself. Even my own family are
pleading with me to join the mayor, and
I had to yield