The Washington times., 1905-05-24
MACHINE IN PANIC
GETS INJUNCTION
AGAINST WEAVER
Philadelphia Party Lead
ers Try to Stop I'M
pending Ruin.
QUAKER CITY EXCITED
Mayor InStaIls New Off
cialS-After O'Leary's
Scalp.
QUAKER CITY EXCITED

PHILADELPHIA, May 24.-The polit
ieai banditti which has disgraced this
city for years is today in a panic.
The powerful organization born of
treachery and ingratitude has been rent
asunder, and for the first time in its
black history realizes it must fight hard
for its life
That it is already preparing to do.
It has thrived so long on graft that
the action of Mayor Weaver in boldly
throwing down the gauntlet has shat
tered the belief long entertained by the
gang that all Philadelphia was its own
Mayor Weaver was early at his office
today and was accompanied by ex-Judge
James Gay Gordon, of this city, whom he
has retained. together with Elihu Root
as advisory counsel.
Shortly before 10 O'Clock the mayor
was Joined by Col. Sheldon Potter and
\. L. Acker.
They were promptly sworn into office,
the mayor himself administering the
oath
Then they were escorted to their re-
spective departments and introduced.
Potter tc the heads of the various
branches of the police department ana
lieutenants, and Acker to the bureau
chiefs Of his department
Both made brief addresses, in which
they urged fealty to the administrative
in the factiona1 struggle now on No
! pledges Were exacted OK givea-
Gets an Injunction.
Hardly had this formaiity been gone
through when the announcement was
made that David Smyth, the deposed di-
rector of public safety. had applied for
and been granted a five days injunc-
ton preventing his successor and
/ CosteIlo's from exercising any OF the
functions OF the office To which he had
| been appointed. The application was
| made by Attorney John G, Johnson.
| Announcement was also made that Ex-
| Director Costello had instituted a civil
/ suit in equity against both Mayor
/ Weaver and Director Aclter.
| Another announcement was made to
! the effect that City Solicitor John II.
| Kinsey had taken umbrage at the ac-
| tion of Mavor Weaver in engaging
/ Root and Gordon as personal counsel to
/ transact city business, and might also
/ institute legal proceedings.
| A rumor is current to the effect that
| Thomas Dolan. president of the United
/ Gas Improvement Company, may issue
a statement declining 10 accept the gas
/ lease as amended, and thus relieve the
| situation of the principal cause of dis
! pute-
After o'Leary's Scalp.
/ It had been the intention of Director
Potter this. afternoon to request the
resigna tions of Detective Tim O'Leary,
| Assistant Director of Public Safety
! Alexander C0lville, and Thomas Blynn,
! secretary to the director. but this ac-
ton may be halted by the five-day In
junction, which was granted by Judge
F.. RaIsJon
The battle Of the, factions is now on
in de ad earnest and scores of suits and
! countersuiJS are promised
May EnguIf Machine.
Mayor Weaver by his dismissal of Di-
| rector of Public Works Costello and Di-
rector of Public Safety Smyth has
placed himself at the head of a mighty
army OF reform which threatens to en-
gulf the machine and to prevent, if pos
sibIe, the passage of the L C. l. gas
lease through the councils.
The mayors action in disInissing the
J men from office who make up The very
life of the organization, as II. were, has
inspired those who have been fighting
the machine for years, to renewed ef-
| forts,
| The mayors prompt action i'll follow
ing uD the disruissais by the appoint
rnent of TWO rcformers to their places
shows his determination TO see the thing
! through.
That there IS more tFOuDle &heau dHu
more dismssaIs to follow IS also shown
by the mayors repeate- conferences to-
day with anti-machine men and reform
ers. Something more is expected to
drop
Col Sheldon Potter, prominent law
yer, succeeds Director of Public Safety
Smyth and A. Lincoln Acker, leading
business man. takes. the berth Of Direc-
ter of Public Works Costello
The selection Of Elihu Root, OF New
York as a legal adviser. shows that the
battle against the L. g. L gas lease will
If necessary. be carried to the courts
All this morning these men were IN
constant touch vita each other. II IS .
fact that they are astonished ana
chagrined. They realize for the first
time that Mayor Weaver is really II
earnest, and that he intends TO fight tt
the finish. Their surprise and fear is re-
fected by politicians high and low al
over the city.
When peace was suggested today tbs
mere mention of such a thing was met
with scornful laughter. The leaders
made il plain that they would stand Oh
fall with the issue.
THE WEATHER REPORT.