Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-23
ORGANIZED REVOLT
AGAINST SMITH AN
ANTI-PENROSE STEP
Washington Partymen and
Menu bers of Republi-
can Ward c o m mite e
Would End Former Post
masters Leadership.

A., oreanized revolt against the leader
ship of former Postmaster Thomas B.
er,i,b. with a closely allied antt-Penrose
..,o,ement. has begun In the 2Sth Ward
rbis was admitted today by members
=, the Republican Ward Committee. The
a-st steps in the move to oust Smith
have been taken by Washington party
men.
Smith la a resident of Glenside and, ac-
,ordinr TO those leading the revolt, for
. runber of years has not had the right
a. vote in the 2Sth Ward or to maintain
bis leadership there. Despite his Glen
aide residence, Washington party men as
,ert he has continued to vote in the
18th Ward and has been the actual Re-
publican leader. Republican committee
man declare they do not object to his
voting there, but oppose strenuously his
roethods in enforcing his leadership. AS
q concrete Illustration of his autocratic
control, one member Of the Ward Com
nnittee 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
wes chosen chairman" the protesting COM
-,itteen1an declared. I'VE we're not asked
whether we would accept him, but the
word was passed out that he was TO be
nlaced there and we had no choice but
20 elect him. Please doF't give my name,
fbr IL they knew I was foInenting a re-
colt would be ousted before many days"
meeting of the Ward Committee has
been called for tomorrow night when the
AIaH H1,t ,t,tI1 Io 4
out The prime movers in the revolt
admit that as yet they are a minority in
the Ward Committee and declare that
unless they can win others to their way
of thinking, the protest will be futile. At
present there are 72 members of the Re-
publican Ward Committee. More than 20,
IL Ia claimed, are In sympathy with the
anti-Smith movement.
While there have been no open me-
gotiarons, cooperation between Wash
ington Party men and the revolving
Republicans In the ward is admitted.
On the second registration day, Sep
tember IS. William F. Kiefer, jeweler,
Washington Party registrar and COM
mitteeman, challenged Smith on his at
tempt to register from the 10th division
Of the 18th Ward. The challenge was
based on Smiths Glenside residence.
Smith Immediately made affidavit that
he was a properly qualified resident of
the 18th 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. If the facts warrant they will
take the case to the courts.
One point in common between the
Washington Party followers and the
Republicans In revolt is a strong anti
Penrose sentiment. This is admitted by
10th sides. THE leadership of Mr..
Smith In our ward,' one of the Repub-
lican committeeman stated today, "is
for nothing else than to create a PEN
rose condition, and the feeling of the
majority of the Republicans here Is not
too warm for Mr.. Penrose."
If the revolt gains sufficient strength
10 act against Smith, 1t is believed one
OF the first steps will be to oust Milton
X. Reedmoyer, the Republican City
from the 18th Ward. To |
do this would require a two-thirds vote
Of the ward committee.