Milford chronicle., 1905-06-02
REFORM FOR
PHILADELPHIA
Gas Lease Fight Ends in Disruption
of Durham Machine
SURRENDERs TO THE MAYOR

Philadelphia, May 30.-State Insur-
ance Commissioner Israel w. Durham.
leader Of the Republican organization
in Philadelphia for the last 10 years.
and whose influence reached far into
the interior Of Pennsylvania, unoondi-
tionally surrendered to Mayor John
Weaver, who opened war on the organ
ization few weeks ago. The action
of Leader Durham was a great surprise
to the people Of the city. as all his
lieutenants and the rank and lle Of
the organization had been given TO
understand that the fight begun by
Mayor Weaver over the gas lease
would be fought to a finish. It had
been announced that the fight the or
ganization was making in the courts
against the mayors new directors
taking Office would be carried into Sc
lect council when the mayor sent in
their names for confirmation. The
mayor and his friends promptly took
up the gauge of battle and started to
wage a bitter war on the councilmen
who intended to vote against the con-
firmation of the new officials.
Leader Durham sent for the ward
leaders, nearly all Of whom responded
and pledged their fealty to the organ
ization, and 1t looked as though the
fight would be a long one. Shortly
after this meeting, however, William
S. Ware. recorder of deeds, a close po-
litical friend of Durham. called upon
the mayor 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 runners became current that 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 oy
him. and made the following announce
ment:
Il have advised my friends not to
oppose the confirmation of A. Lincoln
Acker as director Of public works. AMI
Colonel Sheldon Potter as director Of
public safety, if their names are sent
to select council by the mayor"
The mayor is now practically in con-
troll of municipal affairs. What the
organization will now do has not yet
been definitely determined. Reform
organizations Of the city have already
announced that they will follow up the
advantage already gained and attempt
to defeat Harry c. Ransley. president
Of select council, who is the Republic
can organizations candidate for sheT-
if at the November elections.
Thomas Dolan. president of the
United Gas Improvement company,
transmitted to the presidents of select
and common councils copies OF a letter |
stating that the company receded from
its position; that it no longer desired.
and would not now enter into, the con-
tract proposed by the Seger ordinance.
At the same time David Martin. in
the capacity Of an ambassador, waited
upon Mayor Weaver. He bore the ca
pitulation of Israel Durham, and
pressed only for this grace for the con-
quered: That Of his generosity Mayor
Weaver would forbear vetoing the
abandoned bill, so as to allow councils
on Thursday to withdraw it and them
selves inter it, with an imitation of
1ecency.
Even this boon was denied. The
mayor will veto the bill.