The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-16
KEEPING RIGHT AT FEM
MAYOR WEAVER ACCEPTS AN-
 OTHER RESIGNATION.
Philadelphia Executive Continues to Uncover CroOkedness. and Is Mean while in Entire Control of
 Municipal Situation

Philadelphia, June 15.-There were highly interesting developments today in Mayor Weaver's crusade for good government. The fight against the trolley franchises was for the moment forgotten in the light of what develop ed at the hearing of Select Councilman Frank H. Caven, who is charged with violating his councilmanic oath by be- ing interested in city contracts. Dur ing the hearing it was shown that In- surance Commissioner I. R. Durham, leader of the Republican organization in this city, is partner in the McNichol firm of city contractors. It was also , shown that while James P McNichol. who Is now a State Senator and one of the local Republican leaders. was in City Councils, the McNichol firm con- sisted of Durham. Mrs. James H. Me Nicol, John M. Mack and D. J. Me- Nichol, a brother of James P. McNichoL It was also shown that after James P. McNichol left the Councils, his wife was taken by himself.
 Other evidence of sensational char acter was to the effect that a secret agreement existed between Councilman Caven and his father, trading as James Caven & Son, and another firm in which they agreed that no contract shall be entered into by either of the parties
 
 firm doing work on the citys filtration system without the written consent Of both parties.
 As a result of what developed at the hearing, Mayor Weaver late today ac- cepted the resignation of John W. Hill, chief engineer of the. department of hl- tration, and also that of his son, Henry w. Hill, who was assistant to his fa- ther. The resignations were sent to the Mayor to take effect June 30, but they were accepted to take effect im~ mediately. Chief Hill was the highest salaried official of the city. his com. pensation being $lL00O year.
 Simultaneously with the acceptance of the resignations all work on the city's filtration system was ordered stopped The office of Chief Hill was placed in charge of Assistant Director of Public Works Hicks and the city offices at the filtration plants were put in charge of detectives with instruc- tions to permit no one to remove any records or other documents.
 While no official expression could be obtained as to the reasons of the ne- gotiations, it is learned from a high authority that Mayor Weaver was not satisfied with affairs connected with the construction of the filtration plants The filtration system has cost the city about 2.O00,0O0 and 1t will take up- wards or 1o,UUV,OOV more tO cOHlPlelt the work. The McNichol firm has had contracts for about quarters Of the work.
 Contrary to expectations. the meeting of city councils this afternoon was an entirely harmonious affair, with Mayor Weaver in undisputed control of the situation. The Committee on Street Railways decided to report faVorably the bills repeating the ordinances giv- ing the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company the right to lay tracks on 110 miles of street without compensation to the city and when the repealers were presented in councils they were. under the rules, laid over for printing. A resolution adopted at the last meeting of councils providing that the summer recess shall begin after today's meet ing was reconsidered, so that coun- cils can act on the trolley repealers at another meeting. No date was fixed for the summer adjournment.
 reason given for the failure of thC Republican organization to fight, the Mayor on the trolley franchises Is that the traction company contemplates taking the matter to the courts.