The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-15
ARREST DURHAM, ROOT SAYS.
LAWYER ADVISES NAYORWEAIER
TO TAKE VIGOROUS ACTION.
Philadelphia Executive Here for Final
Conference With New York Counsel
Senator NcNichoi TO he Prosecuted
AlsO-No Row over Lawyers Fees.

ABO-NO HOW over Lawyers FceS.
As result Of a conference held in this
city yesterday between Mayor John Weaver
of Philade phia and his legal advisers,
among them Elihu Root, vigorous measures
are to be taken within few days in con-
nection with the political situation in that
city.
Principal among these, 1t was learned.
will be the arrest of Israel Durham, who has
heen the koss over there. and j. p Nc
Nichol, the State Senator. who, 1t is alleged,
have been sharing in the profits Of SIS, 900, 600
worth OF city contracts. This was finally
decided upon last night at the conference.
Mayor Weaver arrived here from Phila-
delphia at O'Clock yesterday afternoon,
accompanied by James Gay Gordon OF
Philadelphia, his personal counsel.
The object Of their visit was to have full
and Anal talk with Mr.. Root over the situa-
ton and the advisability OF taking these
measures on the evidence in the Mayors
hands.
Although, It was stated, Mr.. Root may
possibly see the Mayor again, last nights
conference practically marked his with
drawal az the Mayors counsel, now that
he has been appointed Secretary OF State.
Mayor Weaver went Immediately to the
Office Of Davies, Stone 4 Auerbaoh as soon
as I've arrived here. Wayne MacVeagh of
Philadelphia was there and short con-
ference took place with Mr.. Auerbach.
who has been retained by the committee
Of seventy in Philadelphia An adjourn
ment was taken and all hands went up to
the Waldorf-Astoria and had dinner and
then resumed their talk. This did not end
until after midnight. There we're present
at this Mr. Root, Mr. Auerbach, Mr.. Davies,
Mr.. Gordon and the Mayor.
Toward the close of the conference Mayor
Weaver said to the reporters:
IAN that can say is that we have dis
c,ssed all phases Of the situation and that
the result is very satisfactory to me-
will there be any Developments" he
was asked.
Il think there certainly will be in very
what they will be would only limit
your field Of prophecy"
The Mayor refused to be any more specific
than this, but he denied with much positive
ness that any Of the lawyers had spoken
about their fees. which it was reported
the Councils had pigeonholed. Mayor
Ned yer SaN Iildt d mistake IAu Deen IIlaue
in the matter, that the Councils had not
held up the bills and that he expected no
trouble over the matter.
Mayor Weaver when asked il Mr.. Roo,
would still be his counsel, said:
Il hardly think we shall have another
conference, although I may possibly see
him again. 1t will depend largely upon
his plans,
Mr.. Root refused to discuss the matter.
at the conference was in complete accord
as to the action to he taken. This was
after the Mayor and Mr. Gordon had laid
all the evidence in the shape of affidavits
and other matter before Mr. Root.
1t has been persistently reported in Phils-
delpha that it has been Mr.. Root who has
been standing in the way OF this action
being taken before now. Mayor Weaver
said that this was not So At any rate,
Mr.. Root at tho end of last nights confer
ence expressed to the Mayor his approval
Of the steps which it has long been known
Mayor Weaver was DESTROYS Of taking,
namely, the arrest of Durham and McNichol.
Now that Mr.. Root has given this APP
prevail OF the case as it stands prepared,
the Mayor, 1t was said. feels little doubt of
the result when the courts take il In hand.
Durham and MoNiohol. it is alleged,
owned eleventh welfths of the stock Of the
contracting concern of ID. J. McNichol q
Co., which got the filter contracts.
A Pennsylvania statute makes it a penal
otYense for an official to share in city con-