The Washington herald., 1912-07-21
Refusal Of J. Fred Kelley to Turn
Over Democratic Property
May Reach Courts.
COSTELLO FACTION
NAY ENTER SUIT
In the Meantime Kelly Says he
Doesn't Know Who L Entitled
to the Funds.

b~Sof oSuoh oNer the re1ubai OF D. rreo
Kelley. chairman Of the old Central
Democratic Committee. TO turn over to
the central committee of the Costello
faction the property belonging TO the
Central Democratic Committee of the Dis
trict. is inevitable from the present View
point.
Mr.. Kelley stoutly refused to make any
disposition OF the belongings. which IN
clude more whsn $1.000 in cash and the
twenty-five tin bread boxes used for bal
loting purposes during the recent local
comedy, commonly known as the Demo-
cratic primaries, until he is satisfied as
to which Of the three so-called central
committees is entitled to recognition.
Mr.. Kelley has been given until next
Thursday night to relinguish his posses
sion of the treasured property. II was
intimated yesterday afternoon by Robert
E. Mattingly. chairman of the Costello
central committee, that unless Mr.. Kel-
ley acceded to the demands by the stated
time, the courts win at once be appeal
ed to for settlement OF the matter.
The faction headed by Edwin A. New
man. former National Democratic Com
mitteeman for the District, also has its
sion of Mr.. Kelley. The faction has
made no urgent demands upon the un-
horsed central committee chairman.
but he has been gently informed that
the belongings should be turned over
to its committee. The Darr-Carr-B Ben
n-Jamfeson- Mitchell faction Is like
wise believed to have designings upon
Mr.. kelley's possessions, but as yet II
has made no boisterous requests.
Requests by Letter.
Il have addressed three letters to Mr.
Kelley said Mr.. Mattingly, of the Co.'S
tello faction. yesterday afternoon, ''re-
questing him to turn over the things
belonging to the central committee. He
has absolutely ignored all of them. He
unquestionably feels sore. We defeat
ed him in his own district, and then
we unhorsed him from the chairman
ship and personnel of the central COM
mittee, and he hasn't yet recovered
fully from the licking Our committee
viii meet Thursday night In Building
Trades Hall, Sixth and G Streets
Northwest. to await q reply from Mr.
Kelley. II none is received, then plans
viii be formulated to compel him to
yield up the possessions.
our committee is the real Central
Democratic Committee. We have been
recognized by the National Democratic
convention, whereas the other local fac
tions have been repudiated. We con-
vfnced the convention that the Costello
faction was the only one which held
a regular and orderly local convention,
and on the strength OF our proof we
were seated. That action alone indorsed
our central committee
William ]. Neale, secretary of the
Newman Central Democratic Committee,
that his organization is the
real one and that the Costello commit
tee was not organized IN accordance
with the rules set down by the National
Committee. Mr.. Neale emphasizes the
point that the National Democratic
Committee recognized the Newman CEN
tral committee and contends that the
cision, even though II did seat the Cos
teilo delegates In place of the Newman
nen.
Nenle Makes Statement.
In the hearing Of contests" said Mr..
Seale last night, our committee was the |
only one making claims. and from the |
action of the National Committee no |
appeal was taken. except with respect |
10 the delegates to the convention. i. |
Ter the sake OF argument We were to |
admit that the national convention had |
authority to pass upon the standing of |
he local central committee. II is per- |
tectly clear that the convention has !
our committee. for no appeal |
vas taken from the action Of the Ma
ional Committee TO the convention In |
-egsrd to the standing of the central |
committee. and the action. therefore. of |
he National Committee in this respect
las been unreversed and unmodifled.
I'VE have not attempted by threats or
my other Roosevelt-like methods to
orce Mr.. Kelley to turn over the funds
which he now has in his possession. ~
now that Mr.. Kelley has the right to
20 fully into the claims of the different
'arties who demand that the affairs OF
he old committee be turned over to
hem. and We have no fear as to what
lis verdict may be, for our status is one
4 unquestionable authority. As the Off
ial mouthpiece of the Democratic party
n the District of Columbia. our commit
ee will actively take up the campaign
york.. We do not know nor do We care
ow much money Mr.. Kelley has in his
We do know that as long as
remains in his hands It is perfectly
afe, and could not be trusted to a more
onorable and upright citizen. We feel
ssured that at the proper time he will
ccount to that committee to which the
money belongs"