Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-03-12
Resignation OF Mayor Harper
Creates a Most Remark
able Situation.
HIS REASONS STILL UNKNOWN
It is Confidently Expected That
Other Officials viii Follow
His Example,
Feeling of Uncertainty and Apprchen-
sion EXist---Nalidity or Recall
Election Is Involved.

Los Angeles. March l2-Los Angeles
awoke today TO the most remarkable
situation m It's present history. with
the mayors resignation in the hands
of the city council, forced 90 that
humiiatmg recourse by the published
threats of exposure of his official and
personal record. with the city council
committed of choosing TODAY as his
successor man wholly unsatisfactory
20 q great portion OF the citys p0pula-
uoni with a special election bat "A
fortnight distant with two candidates
Tor mayor on the ticket and legal
questions arising upon every side cast
Ins DOUBT upon further procedure 90
almost amy direction. the situation pre-
scented was one of the greatest COM
pieNity and confusion.
MORE RESERVATIONS EXPECTED.
Everywhere there was a feeling OF
uncertainty and apprehension II was
confidently expected that today other
'Hltldl f"HlguatiOus among the CITY
OFFICIALS would follow that of Mayor
Harper Announcement vas made last
hlsht without amy specific denial that
Dhlei OF Police Thomas p Broadhead
would send his resignation to the
mayors office early today At least
one member OF the police commission.
ana perhaps others are expected 10
tender their resignauous today or in
inc very Near future. These resigna-
ti'Hs, together with that Of Mayor
Harper ana Edward Kern. member Of
tne board OF public works. are stiu
hedged about with mystery as far
a~ details are concerned but published
statements today speak broadly OF
in' discovery of iutolorable conditions
auectlnB tho ddwiuistIa tlon and the
regulation OFT the rcd-lieht district and
entoreet designations OF the men inn
phoated
The special election resulting from
me inauguration of tine recall against
Mayor Harper uuucr thg special recall
provisions uf the city character. IS set
for March 2G
George Alexander The candidate OF
the recall element stands practically
unopposed on the ballot excepting for
inc Socialist candidate. who represents
only a small voting strength
EFFECT or RESIGNATION.
The faction which has been back OF
Mayor Harper today contends that tho
resignation of the mayor ,itiatss the
recall election, there being now no
mayor 10 recall
The supporters Of Alexander and the
recall movement claim that the resie-
nation OF the mayor in no wise Affects
the recall election. and that Alexander.
VIII Doe chosen mayor on March Is 10
serve out the remainder OF the present
term The city attorneys office has
issued an opinion asserting that the re-
can election must proceed and that the
result viii decide who is mayor
Mayor Harper has as yet issued no
public statement as 10 the reasons for
his enforced retirement lie is credited
IA one quarter today as saying that he
had been indiscncet and must take the
blame. He is said 20 have denied that
he had been in any manner dishonest.
declaring that ne went into Office
1870, worth 500 000 and retired practical
ly without any resources The mayors
action In suddenly resigning and with
drawing his name from the ballot fot
the recall election ia the face OF threats
NJ exposure. was taken without the adj
Wee of the friends or professional coun-
Mayor Harper did not come 10 his
office ia the city hall this morning. his
private secretary Herbert Kennedy,
appeared and transacted the usual rou-
tine business
RESIGNATION ACCEPTED.
Los Angeles March 1.-THE CITY
council met this morning and accepted
the resignation az Mayor A. C. Sharp.
Action on the selection OF successor
was postponed 20 next Monday ia order
hat advice may be had on the Ques-
ton or whether an appointment should
Doe made 20 hold office 10 March 25 lhe
date OF The recall election. or To Jan
}, the end OF the present term
Attorneys before tho council voiced
opposing opinions on this subject this
morning As the matter nov stands
the city De- without am official head
President Niles Pcase OF tho city pouu-
gil rs acting mayor during the interim
without being able. however. 10 eXer-
else The fun powers or the Office Harp
ars res guation was accepted boy imam
imuus vote.
A crowd off several hundred citizens
thr0ugsd the city ham this morning
.rI completely h.lai the council cham
BEN Their determined temper was
r.drut Boo the applause and misses
which they bestowed upon the speak
.r Who urged the council 20 taE.
action
REASON FOR RESIGNATION.
AS throwing important light upou
Mayor HaIpors sudden resignation lasL
night and the reason for his preci-
pute retirement. tho Evening Express
today publishes statement settinE
forth that yesterday the mayor called
upon Mr b. O. Earle owner oil the
Express and offered to withdraw from
.H" race FOR re-oIt. zion if thH Express
tl no NOT publish an exposure of him.
".f tHH details uf which .hr EEU
1N- we're tngu u Its possession I..
Furtss SAYS Iu u"Ii.
'At 1895 %. m. yesterday AIR. Harper
'nI.1rtd 1t the pr.Fat. office ol Ea-
Iu r. Earl and requested au infsr-
Mayor Harper uror1HHI Chat he would
withdraw Dots uHn# Nlm lns ticket