Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-06-03
REFORM FOR
PHILADELPHIA
Gas Lease Fight Ends in Disruption
Of Durham Machine
SURRENDERS TO THE MAYOR

Philadelphia. May 3O.-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. uncondi-
tionally surrendered to Mayor John
Weaver. who opened war on the organ
ization a 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 file OF
the organization had been given 10
understand that the fight begun by
Mayor Weaver over the gas lease
would be fought to a finish. II had
been announced that the fight the or
ganization was making in the courts
against the mayors Lew 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 10
wage a bitter war on the councilmen
who intended TO vote against the con
frmation OF the new officials.
Leader Durham sent for the ward
leaders. nearly all OF whom responded
and pledged their feaIty TO the organ
ization. and IL looked as though the
fight would be n long one. shortly
after this meeting. however. William
s. Ware. recorder OF deeds. a close po-
litical friend OF Durham, called upon
The mayor ana 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 rumOrs 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 and
Colonel Sheldon Potter as director Of
public safety. IL 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 Repubn-
can organizations candidate for sher-
ih 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 IL 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, aud
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 IL and them
selves inter IL, with an imitation OF
decency.
Even this boon was denied. The
naVOr will veto the hflI