Evening journal., 1905-05-27
MAYOR WEAVER
GAINING VOTES
Struggle to Hold or Win
CounciImen Is Growing
Warmer
MACHINES LINES ARE BROKEN


Philadelphia, May 27.-"The situa-
ton is growing brighter every minute,
said Mayor Weaver, when asked what /
progress he was making in his effort 10
defeat the extension Of the lease OF the /
city gas works He would not give fg-
ures nor 90 into other details. but con-
tented himself with saying that he had /
received assurances from many coun-
cilmen who had voted for the lease
last week that they would support him
IN his veto. Leaders of the Republican
organization. which is advocating the 1
lease, continue TO remain silent There
are. however signs that some Of the
councilmen are breaking away under
tremendous pressure from their con-
stituents and will probably go along
with the mayor. The all-absorbing
point OF interest Is whether the mayor
will succeed in getting enough to de-
feat the bill when II shall come Up
next Thursday for passage over his
veto The organization still stands on
its statement that II viii pass the lease
ordinance in spite OF disapproval.
The record up 10 date shows that the
mayor has 10 select councilmen and 26
members Of common council with him.
In select council there are AZ members.
To pass the ordinance over the mayors
veto the organization needs 26 votes
and the mayor ~ 10 sustain him. The
membership Of common council Is -.
Here the organization needs 81 and
the mayor "a.
Street Cleaning Bids AnnuIIed.
The first important move OF the new
administration move that was OF
vital Importance to organization men
who hold city contracts-was taken
when the new director of public works.
Acker. annulled the advertisement for
bids for street cleaning for 1906. The
contract will aggregate about $1,000
600. The contract for this year is held
by the Ware Brothers one Of whom is
state senator and another recorder of
deeds. This action was taken by Di-
rector Acker IN a letter 10 Samuel SUIT
clIffe. chief OF the bureau OF street
cleaning Mr. Sutcliffe was instructed
10 recall oil specification blank forms
OF proposals. etc The new bids we're
to have been opened on June l. While
Mayor Weaver and Director AclSer re-
fuse 10 discuss this action, II was
learned from an authoritative source
that new specifications would be drawn
up. which Will provide for liberal ex-
tension Of time for the submission of
bids.
All the principal figures in the strug-
gle for supremacy kept behind closed
doors most Of the day, The mayor had
numerous conferences with.-hls attor-
neys and lieutenants on matters per-
t2inng to the local battle that will
have its real start next Monday In the
Offices OF United States Senator PEN
rose. where organization headquarters
have been temporarily established
many conferences were held during the
day and evening. The deep silence at
the headquarters remains unbroken
and the only word that can be had from
the leaders Is that the organization is
confident OF the outcome.
couneilmen Pursued.
The struggle to hold or win council
men IS growing hotter. and many OF
the "city fathers have expressed the
wish that they had never been elected
to the legislative body They declare
that they owe all their success in life
to the organization. and that il would
be an extreme act OF disloyalty to go
hack on their leaders In time Of trou-
bic. Then on the other hand the pres
sure brought to bear by neighbors and
other constituents and even business
associates 70 abandon the organization
and uphold the mayor. Is so great that
they do not know what they shall do.
Some Of the councilmen are pursued
even into the privacy OF their homes
end delegations are calling on them at
al hours OF the night and day.