The San Francisco call., 1909-06-27
rlYStiC Marks on
Peoples Ballot
NOBODY ANXIOUS
TO FATHER PLAN
Manager of Good Government
League Defends 1t, but
Does Not Explain

Inc peoples DdllOIS are OelnS sent
out from a suit of offices on the second
floor of the Lick building in Mont
gomery street. though the Good gov
ernment league is in the Realty build
that greets the visitor who gains ad-
mission to the peoples ballot" head
quarters is a crowd of about 40 girls
giggling over their work of folding
the ballots and circulars. These girls
occupy three of the nine rooms; the
other six are occupied by the force Of
men who are engaged In searching the
precinct registers, afixing TO the re-
turn envelopes the Identifying numbers
and figures, and addressing the en-
veIopes.
Among others who were busy in
these rooms yesterday were George
Baker Anderson. manager of the Good
government league; P. S. Scales. pri-
vate secretary to Rudolph Spreckels;
Al McCabe, John Riordan, Harry Wilbur
and NJ Es Gates wilburn and Gates
asserted that they were no longer mem
bers of Special Agent William ]. Burns
staff
Although both Scales and Wilbur
were mentioned by members of the
office force as being in charge of the
work. both disclaimed authority and
declared that they did not know who
was directing operations. 1t devolved
upon Anderson to do whatever explain
ing was done.
Are you directing this work?" An
derson was asked.
No" he answered
who is?"
Il don't know who is
Surely there must be somebody in
charge" was suggested.
We'll, I'm simply here doing my
part" was Anderson's answer
Then who authorized the work?'s
was asked.
The good government league" came
the answer.
What members of the Lacquer"
why. the campaign committee of
the executive committee" said Ander-
son. THAT consists of Isidor Jacobs.
Edgar A. Matthews. General Samuel
w. Backus, Milton t. U'Ren and John
w. Sweeney"
Did that committee authorize the
secret marking of the return en-
velopes?' was the next question.
Il must refuse to discuss that" re-
turned Anderson.
You are willing to admit that
system of secret markings has been
used?"
Really, 1 can not talk about that
matter?" was the reply.
What was the purpose of putting
the marks under the stampsg
Il repeat" said Anderson that 1
can not discuss that matter
If the purpose is a worthy one it will
bear explanation" was suggested.
1T is neither dishonorable nor
tricky" responded Anderson.
IF it is neither dishonorable nor
tricky, will you explain it?'
"A good general never -discIoses mis-
plans until the battle is fought" was
the evasive answer; but when the time
comes to explain you will see that there
is nothing dishonorable or tricky
about IT."
Further questioning brought no more
light upon the matter
Isidor Jacobs. chairman of the cam
paign committee, thought Anderson had
first suggested the system of secret
marks, but was not sure. He said that
only three men knew of the markings
in the first place-himself, Anderson and
John w Sweenpv-althou0h hofb tha
executive committee and the campaign
suited about the circular letter and the
peoples ballot" Jacobs said that the
work would cost $4,000. which would
be paid by voluntary subscriptions. just
as the leagues work had been paid for
in the past.
THE reason of marking the en-
velopes?" said Jacobs. Well in the
past we have occasionally gotten some
very rough replies to our circulars
from disreputable fellows, and we
wanted to know who they were. Be-
sides we are going to start precinct
associate membership of the league and
this gives us a line on what we want
1t prevents any but the right people
from joining.
Then we were afraid of getting
counterfeit ballots. People might send
in ballots that were not genuine. By
this method we could compare the sig
natures with the signatures ON the affi
davits or registration at the registrars
Office"
Jacobs did not explain how the sig
natures could be compared if no sigma
lures were attached to the ballots or
how the leaguers could determine the
genuineness of the ballotseby the mark
N tho return auua1oDa