Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-12

Finally Agree on Smith
At Republican machine headquarters
in the Coulter block, when the resigna-
ton of Mayor Harper from the ticket
and then from the mayoralty became
known, there was much CONSERVATION,
followed by hasty conference of the
machine politicians and of those MEM
bers of the club who hold office, or
hope to hold office, because of their
loyalty to the machine" M. p. Light,
who is recognized as one of the mouth
pieces of the Southern Pacific political
department, was one of the most
active 1t was finally decided that
some action must be taken, If only to
attempt to stem the tide running so
strong against the machine politicians
of both the Democratic and Republican
parties.
Those present who seemed to speak
with authority let it be known that 1t
had been agreed by the machine that
the Democratic machine politicians
would not enter into the new last-ditch
fight caused by Harpers resignation,
but would stand in with the Republi-
cans in anything that the machine
should agree on. Those on the inside
then settled on Uncle George" Smith,
former member of the council, as the
most likely man to put forward OH
whom to crystallize their efforts before
the city council, inasmuch as the
promise had been given to him already
by Walter Parker that he should be
the Republican nominee for mayor at
the next regular city election.
With Mr.. Smith agreed on, the matter
was laid before the other Republicans
present, most of whom were office
holders, and 1t was decided that Mr..
Smith be sent for in order to learn his
attitude toward the proposition.
Smith Appears on Scene
An adjournment was taken for half
an hour, and shortly after reconvening
Mr.. Smith was ushered into the room,
when an effort was made to work up a
demonstration for ''our next mayor"
There were perhaps score of mem
bers present, with the newly elected
president, Fred L. Hunt. in the chair.
Others were DIR. A. c.. Houghton, Judge
Ling, M. P. Light, Erwin Dingle, r.
w. Schwartz, proprietor of the Louvre
saloon, Bert Farmer, p. p. O'Brien,
Harry Bender, Sid Hitler, Harry c.
Thomas. Dr. S. A. Austin, Ed Wicker
sham, Paul Johnson and a NUMBER or
lesser lights.
Mr.. Smith was visibly affected when
he was ushered to the desk. Chairman
Hunt explained the purpose of the
meeting and asked Mr. Smith If he
would consent to have his name placed
before the council this morning as the
successor of Mayor Harper to fill the
unexpired portion of his term.
Mr.. Smith appeared at a loss as to
the kind of an answer he should make
to the club and explained that he was
not even certain that Harper had real
ly resigned from office. He also was in
doubt, he said, whether the council had
the right to name a successor.
"If il is the intention to have me en-
ter into a campaign fight for the Of
Ace for the short time that l would
have to serve" he continued, II would
not care to do so. / would not be in
favor of giving either my time or the
money necessary to make the fight.
This has all come as surprise to
me. and / really feel that l should be
given until tomorrow morning to make
an answer"
Given Further Time
Mr.. Light then gave the cue to the
others present that this request was a
reasonable one." and that he believed
it would be satisfactory to let the mat
ter go over. In this the others con->
Cured, and a motion was finally made
and adopted that the chair appoint a
committee to confer with Mr.. Smith
this morning at $3.50 O'clock, prior to
the meeting of the council, and receive
his decision. 1t was also agreed that
the entire club membership should ac-
company the committee to the council
and urge the naming of Mr.. Smith as
Harpers successor.
The chair later appointed M P.