The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-03-12

Los Angeles, March 12-Los Ange-
les awoke today to the most remark
able situation In Its political history.
With the mayors resignation In the
hands of the city council, forced to
that humiliating recourse by the pub
liShed threats of exposure of his OIL
fetal and personal records, with the
city council committed to choosing
today, as his successor. a man who'll
~ unsatisfactory TO a great portion or
the city's population; with special
election but fortnight distant with
two candidates for mayor on the tick
ct. and legal questions arising upon
every side casting doubt upon further
procedure IN almost any direction, the
situation presented was one OF the
greatest complexity and confusion.
Everywhere there was feeling or
uncertainty and apprehension. 1t was
confidently expected that today other
official designations among the city
officials would follow that of Mayor
Harper. Announcement was made
last night without any specific denial
that Chief of Police Thomas H. Broad
head would send his resignation TO
the mayors office early today. AT least
one member of the police commission
and perhaps others, are expected to
tender their designations today OF IN
the very near future These resigna.
tions together with that of Mayor Har-
per and Edward Kern. member OF
The board OF public works, are still
hedged about with mystery as far as
details are concerned. but published
statements today speak broadly OF
the discovery OF intolerable conditions
affecting the city administration and
The regulation OF the red light district,
and enforced resignation OF the men
implicated.
The special election resulting from
the inauguration Of the recall against
Mayor Harper, under the special re-
call provision of the city charter is
set for March &C.
George Alexander is a candidate OF
the recall element and stands prac-
tically unopposed on the ballot ex-
cepting a Socialist candidate. who
represents only a small voting
strength.
'N hoNeiOhF nnlSu udS D6En DICK
OF Mayor Harper. today contends that
the resignation Of the mayor yitiates
the recall election, there being now
no mayor TO recall. The supporters
OF Alexander and the recall move.
ment, claim the resignation OF the
mayor In no wise affects the recall
election, and that Alexander will he
CHOSEN mayor on March 26 to serve
out the remainder OF the present
term.
The city attorneys office has issued
an oRinion asserting that the recall
election must proceed and that the
fesuit VIII decide Who Is mayor.
mayor Harper has as yet issued NO
puonc statement as to the reasons
lor his enforced retirement. He is
credlted In one quarter today as say,
Ing that he had been indiscreet and
must take the blame He lis said 10
nave denied that he had been In any
manner dishonest. declaring that he
went into office in 1907 worth 5000 .OOC
and retired practically without an,
resources. The mayors action IL
suddenly resigning and Withdrawing
- OAi tIlC bdllOl IOI lnC re
call election in the face of threats o
exposure, WAS taken without the ad
vice OF friends or professional coun
sci
Mayor Harper did not come to ns
once In the city hall this morning
his private secretary. Herbert Ken
pedy. appeared and transacted the us
ual routine business,
AS throwing important light upol
Mayor Harper's sudden refAgnatior
last night. ami the reason for hi
precipitate retirement, the Eyenip;
Express today publishes a statemen
setting forth that yesterday afte,
npon. the mayor called upon Mr., Il. 4
Earl. owner OF the Express. and oHei
en 10 withdraw from the race for T.
election II the Press would not pul
hsh an exposure of himself, the d,
tails of which. the Express gays, wer
then IN Its possession. The Expires
Gays in part:
AT 62o d. M Yesterday Mr. Jarno