Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-26
Ramifications of the Ring Power.

The more the opposing forces in Philadei-
phia struggle to dominate the situation III
that unhappy city. the brighter Is the hgh'
shed upon the causes of the extraordinary
success of the ring that has held the COM
munity so tightly In its grasp for years.
One of the latest disclosures is all impor-
tant 1t solves in way a phase OF the
mystery which has puzzled many observ-
ers In all the periodical contests for good
government there have been great uprfs-
ings of the people. Mass meetings have
been held and funds provided for the cam
paign and organizations perfected for the
fight at primaries and polls. But each
time nothing has resulted. The gang has
been returned to power again and again.
Was it the result of ballot-box manipula-
ton? Was it 3 genuine indication of the
weight of numbers. gained by shrewd dis
trbution and promise of the patronage? 1t
might be either of these or 1t might be
that the citizens. after shouting and max
ing a great demonstration of intent, failed
to vote as they proclaimed.
Since the break between Mayor Weaver
and the machine the citizens who are sup
porting him in his fight have sought to en-
list the services of several lawyers of high
repute at the bar. One after another half
a dozen of the foremost attorneys of Phila-
delphia were approached to serve as the
mayors counsel All declined the commits
sion and when urged to give reasons each
cited some fact which showed that he was
bound more or less closely to the interests
Of the machine or the corporations which
benefit from the rings manipulations of
the city treasury. Here is a summary OF
the reasons published to account for this
ofrg,
Samuel Dickson-I regret very much
that the clients of this firm include inter-
ests which preclude the possibility of us
participating in any attack upon the United
Gas improvement Company and its anil
lated interests.
George Tucker Bispham-Unable to serve
because the trust interests he represents
compel him to remain inactive in the work.
Frank p. Prichard-Unable to serve be-
cause his partner, John G. Johnson. is spe-
cial counsel to the United Gas Improve
ment Company.
ASA Wing-As vice president of the
Provident Life Insurance and Trust Com
pany, unable to serve because Samuel r.
Shpley. president of the Provident COM
pany. is a director in the United Gas I'm
prOvement Company.
"Effingham B. Morris-Unable to assist
In the movement because OF the CONNER
cial connections of the Girard Trust Com
pany. of which he is president
James Mapes Dodge-Unable to assist
because the United Gas Improvement Com
pany is the<beSt customer of the Link Belt
Company, of which he Is president"
The chairman of the citizens committee
of seventy publicly declares that what is
true of these six lawyers applies with
equal force to many others Of their charao-
ter and standing 1t is broadly stated that
the influence of the machine extends
through the big corporations of the city to
not only the employees but to affiliated
business interests. It Is charged that
thousands of Philadelphia's merchants and
professional men at such times find them
selves shackled.
Between the Impeachment proceedings
that are now threatened against the mayor
and the disclosures of the qualifications of
the gangs influence in the business world
Philadelphia may come soon to understand
It's own plight. while the whole country will
be edited. Whether such a revelation will
bring a remedy for the evil Is beyond the
range of immediate foretelling.