The Washington times., 1912-08-02
PROGRESS|VES IN
PENNSYLVANIA FOIL
PENROSE WORKERS
Three Sets of Papers Held
In Readiness for Filing
At Harrisburg.

PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 2.-Progres-
sive Roosevelt supporters in Pennsyl-
vania yesterday covered the entire
State with pre-emption papers for the
Washington party, controlling the nom-
nations for national electors, State
officers and candidates in every Con-
gressional, Senatorial and legislative
district OF the State.
The Progressives took the old ma
chine politicians by surprise and
amazed them by the demonstration of
their thorough and effective party or
ganization. which enabled them to COW
er the entire State. including every
county, city and borough, within a few
hours. ..... ...
Ever since the preparation of the
Chicago fraud the Penrose politicians
have been busy ,pre-empting party
sives in Pennsylvania might adopt in
the formation Of the new third party
They had additional papers Allied out
and were watching and waiting for an
inkling Of what party name the Pro-
gressives would adopt. ....-
Their intention was to rush to Har-
risburg with pre-emption papers as
soon as they could find out the party
name OF the progressives, In hopes of
stealing the progressive nominations
In many Congressional, Senatorial,
and legislative districts. But in this
plan the Penrose politicians counted
without the effective party organiza-
uon of the progressives.
Workers Notified.
The progressive workers in every
county, Congressional, Senatorial. and
legislative district in the State were
notified on Tuesday to hold them
selves in readiness. On Wednesday
afternoon every county and district
ed, 81, a..
the Washington party name and pre-
emption papers, and simultaneously
every district prepared its sworn pre-
emptton papers and delivered them
Dietrich. at Harrisburg, so that he
Sould file them all at once, as soon as
the office of the Dauphin county pro-
thonotary opened yesterday morning
The machine politicians were great
ly chagrined that the plans Of the
rrogressives was not betrayed to
them in a single district. At the same
time 1T came to them as revelation
that the progressive movement in this
State is fortified with a highly effici-
ent organization in every district.
The Progressives took measures to
being stolen by the Penrose machine.
Three complete sets Of pre-emption
papers were prepared simultaneously.
One set was for the Washington party.
set for the Liberal party. If any infor-
nation about the Washington party had
reached the Penrose organization and
enabled 1t to steal some of the Wash
ington party nominations the Progress
sives would have abandoned that party
title and been prepared in the same mo-
ment to file a complete set of State
papers for one of the other party, titles.
Every Office Covered. IL ~
The Washington party papers cover
the thirty-two Congressional nomina-
tions. the twenty six Senatorial nomina-
tions. and the 2O7 legislative nomina-
tions to be made. besides the complete
State ticket. The papers from each
district are fortified with seven affi-
davits in duplicate, and no fewer than
5,376 affidavits were required to clear
the title of the progressives to the
Washington party and the two reserve
party titles, which were not filed when
it was seen that the Washington party
pre-emption was absolutely clear.
The Statewide pre-emption of the
Washington party title obliged the pro-
thonotary's office to keep open late to
certify the pre-emptions to the secre-
tary Of the commonwealth. This work
viii be completed when the Lancaster
papers, the last to arrive, are filed.