Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-10
MAYOR IN VAIN
EFFORT TO SAVE
SELF, ACCEPTS
ACTION DEEMED EQUIVALENT
TO PLEA OF GUILTY
EXECUTIVES FRIENDS ADMIT
OUTLOOK is SERIOUS
Advocates of Recall Will Press cand-
dacy Of George Alexander with
Renewed Vigor, Seeing
Victory Assured
.NHEREBY admitting culpa-
bifitv aS reUardc ona of 4La

AoND dullllllllg culpa-
bility as regards one of the
\ charges made against him
by the citizens of Los Angeles
that he had appointed notori-
ously unfit person to administer
the affairs of the aqueduct-May-
or A. c. Harper yesterday ac-
cepted the resignation of Edward
Kern from the board of public
works. This action, which was
considered futile effort on the
part of the mayor to stem the
tide against him, caused a tre-
mendous sensation throughout
the city and gave renewed i'm
petus to the movement for the
recall of Harper and the election
of George Alexander.
Following his acceptance of
Kern's resignation, Mayor Har-
per appointed William M. Hum
phreys to the board, and the Sc
lection was confirmed later in the
day by the council.
Kern's resignation was re-
ceived with disfavor by Harper's
friends, as an admission that the
charges made in connection with
the appointment of the former
police chief would be considered
by the public generally as having
foundation. By the advocates of
the recall and the committee OF
leading citizens which is manag-
ing the campaign of Mr.. Alex
ander the action came as certain
indication that the enemy is
weakening and that victory is GER
tain.
Victory for Recall
When the news that Kern had
resigned and that the mayor had
accepted reached recall head
quarters the campaign commit
tee issued the following state
ment to the people of Los An
geles:
"The recall movement has
scored its first victory in the re-
tirement of Edward Kern from
the board of public works.
1T is called resignation, and
Mr.. Kern asserts that it is be-
cause of the 'unwarranted' at
tacks upon him. But both he and
his principal have had too much
experience in public life ever to
retreat under fire when the at
tacks are 'unwarranted.' The
people are not likely to be de-
ceived by mere words. That he
steps down and out is the signifi-
cant fact.
"What docs it mean? 1t is a
plea of guilty to one item of the
Indictment against Mr.. Harper.
Something had to be done to
tighten the overburdened ship of
the administration - and over
board went Kern.
"The recall petition charged
Mr.. Harper with unhtness as
mayor, and the Kern appoint
ment was cited as an example.
That appointment stands to the
mayors discredit just as much
now as before Kern was induced
to withdraw. And does anyone
think for a moment that Kern
would have stepped down except
for the recall?
Means Harper's Defeat
Even if the Kern appointment
were all of our case against Mr..
Harper-and it is in reality only
one of many items-this seeming
repentance would not save him,
for the people will understand
that unless the recall carries he
will still have nine months in
which to make other appoint
ments of like character.
"Although the victory is sig
nal one, it must not lead those
favoring the retirement OF Mayor
Harrer into overconhdence. 1t
Is an omen of success, but the
great work is yet to be done. We
have carried an important out
post. and now with renewed vig-
or and determination we advance
to the attack on the main works"
This was signed by:
6, e. Graham. e. o. Edgerton. W. ID.
stephens, H. T. Lee. L. Liehtenoerger'
7 a. Kubach, Sidney A. Butler, DR..
Sherwin Gibbons. Charles Wier. J. r.
Coyne, Gen. f. G. Bellows, Victor H.
CONTINUED on Page Five,