Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-23
IN LINES OF CITY PARTY
Director Potter and Assistant Stem
Down and Out.
STATEMENT BY THE FORMER
Sequel to Friction Between Mayor
Weaver and Members of His Cab.
met Over District Attorney.

PHILADELPHIA. Pa. September e.
AS result Of the fight within the lines of
the city party over the nomination of a
candidate for district attorney OF Phiia-
deiphia, Director Sheldon Potter Of the de-
partment Of public safety and Thomas. w.
South, the assistant director, this after
noon sent their designations to Mayor
weaver. The communication sent to the
mayor gives no reason. 1t Is as follows:
Hon John Weaver. Mayor: have just
been asked by Director Potter to deliver
to you his resignation as director of the
department of public safety. desire at
the same time to tender my resignation as
assistant director. to take effect at once.
THOMAS W. SOUTH.
subsequent to sending his resignation to
the mayor Mr. South made the following
statement:
THE morning that the Shern law takt,r
ofncehoders out OF politics. went into efrert
resigned from all political associations or
which was member. When Mr.. Weaver
desired the department of public safety I'm
violation of the Shern act, to be used to
secure the nomination of his candidate
frederick j. Shoyer. for the office OF dis
trict attorney. found myself In a position
OF hostility to the mayors wishes. 1 took
the matter up with my chief, Director Pot
ter. VINO gave me instructions not to permit
any person In the department OF public
safety to interfere in Mr.. Showers behalf
or In the interest of any candidate for any
office.
Character Of the Offices
tn department OF public safety has jur-
isdiction over the police and fire depart
ments OF Philadelphia.
Director Potter and Assistant Director
South were appointed in May, lJJ5 wh1n
Mayor Weaver broke with the Republican
organization and dismissed his directors OF
public safety and public works. They have,
worked in harmony until the campaign for
district attorney caused friction between
the mayor and the members OF his cabinet.
1t is rumored that Director of the Depart
ment Of Public Works Thomas l.. Hicks and
Robert Grier. director of the department OF
supplies. are also at odds with the mayor.
but these rumors cannot at present be
confirmed because of the refusal ef the di-
rectors to talk. .. -- 49, -
Frederick J. Shoyer was the director of d.
the department of supplies unfit the early
part of this year, when he resigned to take
up his campaign for district attorney He
canvassed the entire city. speaking almost
n ghtly. Mayor Weaver was his stanchest
supporter and when Mr.. Shoyer de-
feated for the nomination by ID. Clarence
Gibboney at the city party convention last
Tuesday Mr.. Weaver gave out a statement ,
expressing his disa appointment and ehaPe-
ing that bribery had been openly prac-
tced'' in the convention.
When Mayor Weaver was handed the
resignatio at the meeting of the COM
mittee which is investigating the charges Z
IriI,n
Il have nothing to say at present. but
may name the successors later in the day.
There is rumor that the mayor may
name Mr.. Shoyer Director Potter's sue
cessor.
The developments of the afternoon have
caused sensation in political circles sec
ond only to the upheaval of last year.
Asks for All Evidence in Hearing.
District Attorney Bell today sent letter
to the city party investigation committee in
which he requests that all evidence taken
by the committee be turned over to his Of
flee. In his letter Mr.. Bell says:
If the charges preferred true they
are crimes not merely against the indiyiG-
uals injured thereby, but are offenses that
seriously affect the whole community"
Mr.. Bell says that If the evidence given
him is sufficient to establish the guilt OF
any persons he will bring proceedings
against them.
The committee will meet this afternoon
and 1t is announced that its session will be
held behind closed doors.
1t Is said that Frederick ]. Shoyer. who
was Mayor Weavers choice for the city
party nomination for district attorney. Will
announce that he is no longer candidate
for the nomination
The belief prevails that if the corruption
charges are not proved. Mr.. Gbboney will
be unanimously nominated by the city party
at next Tuesdays convention. MI Glib
honey defeated Mr.. Shoyer by majority
of twenty-nine votes In the convention last
Tuesday.
Many of the Shoyer delegates called upon
Mr. 0ibboney today and pledged him their
support IL his name Should again come be-
fore the convention.