Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-23
ORGANIZED REVOLT
AGAINST SMITH AN
ANTI-PENROSE STEP
Washington Partymen and
NJ e m b ers of Republi-
can Ward Committee e
Wuold End Former Post
masters Leadership.

An organized revolt against the leader
ship of former Postmaster Thomas B.
Smith, with a closely allied anti-Pcnrose
movement, has begun in the 2sth Ward.
This was admitted today by members
of the Republican Ward Committee. The
first steps in the move TO oust Smith
have been taken by Washington party
men.
Smith is a resident of Glenside and, ac-
cording to those leading the revolt, for
n number of years has not had the right
to vote in the 18th Ward or to maintain
his leadership there. Despite his Glen
side residence, Washington party men as
sert he has continued to vote in the
2Sth Ward and has been the actual Re-
publican leader. Republican committee
men declare they do not object to his
voting there, but oppose strenuously his
methods in enforcing his leadership. AS
a concrete Illustration of his autocratic
control, one member of the Ward Com
mittce today pointed TO the election of
Joseph Smith, Thomas b. Smiths brother,
as chairman of the Ward Committee.
Thomas b. smith never had been a
member of the Ward Committee until he
was chosen chairman" the protesting COM
mitteeman declared. I'VE We're not asked
whether we would accept him, but the
word was passed out that he was to be
placed there and we had no choice but
to eject him. Please don't give my name,
for IL they knew l was fOmenting a re-
[ Ita NJ Ia
4 meeting Of the Ward Committee has
been called for tomorrow night when the
entire question probably will be threshed
out. The prime movers in the revolt
admit that as yet they are minority in
the Ward Committee and declare that
unless they can win others 10 their way
of thinking, the protest will be futile At
present there are y members of the Re.
publican Ward Committee, More than 90
it is claimed, are in sympathy with the
anti-Smth movement,
While there have been no open ne
g0tiatiOns, cooperation between Wash
inEton Party men and the revolving
Republicans in the ward is admitted.
on the second registration day. Sep
tember r.. William f. Kiefer, a jeweler,
a Washington Party registrar and COM
mitteeman. challenged Smith on his at
tCmpt to register from the 10th division
Of the 2Sth Ward. The challenge was
based on Smiths Glenside residence.
Smith Immediately made affidavit that
he was a properly qualified resident Of
the 10th division. He was then allowed
to register, The matter was brought
before the Committee Of Seventy and
they intend to make a thorough inves-
tigation. II the facts warrant they Will
take the case 10 the courts.
one point In common between the
Washington Party followers and the
Republicans in revolt is strong anti
Penrose sentiment, This is admitted by
roth sides THE leadership OF Mr..
Smith in our ward" one Of the Reoub-
Iican committeeman stated today rs
for nothing else than TO create Pen
rose condition, and .hc feeling Of the
majority Of the Republicans here Is not
TOO warm for Mr.. Penrose."
If the revolt gains sufficient strength
{, act against Smith, II is believed one
OF the first steps will be TO oust Milton
X. Reedmoyer. the Republican CITY
Committeeman from the 2sth Ward. To
do this would require a two-thirds vote
OF the ward committee.