Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-31
INTERESTS BACK
OF RECALL MOVE
PLAINLY SHOWN
Sensational Affidavits Indicate
Methods Employed by the
Promoters.
FORGERY AMONG CHARGES
Sworn Statement Of One Of circulators
Says 4. w. 5iIIburs Filled
In Dates.

Attorneys for the mayor and com
missioner against whom the recall is
sought, today decided to make public
a few of the many afidavits which
have been secured bearing on the va
licity Of the petitions. These sworn
statements prove beyond a doubt just
what element is behind the recall
move and substantiates the claim set
UP by The Argus from the first that
discredited saloon interests were
fathering the recall. II was on this
account that The Argus opposed II.
The afFidavits also show to some extent
the methods employed by the promoters
in getting a long array OF names on
the petitions. OF the scores of aft
davits on file. the following three are
among the most pointed and sensa-
tional:
HIRED BY BILLBURG.
State OF Illinois, Rock Island county
S.
Harry Parsons being first duly
sworn upon his oath, says: That he is
OF lawful age and that he circulated
sheets FIVE 90 and seven ca Of the
Schriver, incumbent OF the Office Of
mayor Of the city OF Rock Island. cOun-
~ OF Rock Island and state of Illinois,
ct the request OF one a W. Billburg.
upon the promise from said A w.
Billburg 20 receive ten cents 10c) for
each and every name he secured on
said petition.
Afiant further says that after cir
culating said petition, he delivered
same TO the said A. W. Billburg, al
which time the dates Of signing were
not filled out on said petition, and that
the said A w. Billburg in the pres
ence OF the afiant filled out the dates
on said sheet FIVE and said sheet seven
as the same appear opposite the re-
EpectiVe names.
This affiant further says that he
signed said sheets five and seven in
the presence OF the said A. W. Bill
burg. but did not swear TO said pages
FIVE and seven OF said petition.
Afiant further says that on inspect
ing the said sheets FIVE and seven as
filed with the said city clerk, he finds
the jurat OF one Phillip II. Wells, g
notary public. purporting TO have
sworn this afiant to said sheets five
and seven.
Afiant further says that he does not
know Phillip n. Wells, and did not ap
pear before him or sign said sheets
before him, or swear TO the same be
fore him OF any other officer dul!
authorized 20 administer oaths in the
county OF Rock Island and state o.
Illinois.
PURPOSE OF PETITIONS.
Affiant further says that when the
said A. W Billburg requested him e
circulate said petition. he was inform
cd by said A. w. Billburg that thu
object and purpose Of circulating thu
petition was TO keep the saloons an'
wine rooms open all night long.
Afiant further says that he relie'
on the statements OF said A. w BIZ
burg and circulated said petition
without reading the same.
Affiant further says that when h.
signed said sheets five and seven II
the presence Of the said A. w Bill
signing what purported to be an oatI
OF affirmation.
lSignedD HARRY PARSONS.
Subscribed and sworn 10 before m
this 29th day OF July, A. d, 1912.
C. W. GAMBLE.
WITHOUT AUTHORITY.
State OF Illinois. Rock Island count
-ss
M Morris. first being duly swor