Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-07-28
JUDGE MOUNTAIN
REFUSES TO TAKE
PLEDGE AS ASKED
Therefor East Orange Progress
sives Are Ready to Drop Him
as Mayoralty Candidate.

Sacrificing the proffered support of
! the Progressive Club, of East Orange
Judge Worrall f. Mountain, who is
desired by the Citizens Committee
| of Fifty as an aspirant for the may
orally of that city, has hatly de-
clined to approve a pledge of the club
that he favor governing the munici-
| pality by the "city manager scheme
/ if elected. If he agreed to include
! the pledge in his PLATFORM provided
/ he finally determined to enter the
mayoralty race at the primaries he
could have had the Endorsement OF
the Progressives.
Against the objections of George
II. Austin, considered one of the
Progressive leaders in the city. the
club last night refused to consider
the candidacy of Judge Mountain af-
ter committee reported that Judge
Mountain was opposed to adopting
tina pledge
The debate waxed warm on the
question of whether the organization
SHOULD decline to get behind Judge
Mountain in case he is a candidate
at the primaries. 1t was predicted
that Judge Mountain will not oppose
former County Clerk John B. Woolston
for the nomination because of the
clubs action.
To Meet All Candidates.
Now the Progressives are willing to
consider rendering an Endorsement to
any mayoralty or councimanic candi-
dates, regardless of party affiliations.
whC will agree to sanction the APP
pointment of a committee after the
November election, which will deter
mine if the municipality should seek
Legislation that will enable it to put
the city manager system in vogue.
Joseph w. Roper win select COM
mittee to consult with Republican,
Democratic and Progressive aspirants
for all local offices and get their views
of the pledge by August 10. at which
time the club will undoubtedly be
prepared TO make some Endorsements.
1t will be left to the discretion of
this committee to determine whether
Judge Mountain should again be APP
preached regarding whether he will
agree to the pledge Mr.. Austin ar
rived at the meeting just in time to
stave off vote on declining to give
further consideration to indorsing
Judge Mountain without much dis
cussion.
Henry S. Gilbertson, chairman of
the committee which had an audience
with Judge Mountain. had informed
the club that the latter had declared
he was not anxious to obtain the
office and that he had agreed to run
conditionally only at the insistance of
the Citizens Committee of Fifty.
THE Judge said he was impressed
with the pledge as he further con-
sideredait' said Mr. Gilbertson, but
he plainly stated he would not con-
sent to adopt it at this time"
Says Gregory Has Machine.
a..
about the room that the club refuse
to urge the jurist to enter the race. |
Mr. Austin entered the room at
this time and his arrival was greeted
with applause Ascertaining the
contemplated step he delyed into the
mayoralty situation, ending by urg-
ing his friends not to act hastily.
1.-The time is not opportune to take
a step that will not be agreeable"
he began. I'VE have had fairly good
management under Democratic |
mayor" he went on, but we want |
a better mayor than we have now, |
and | believe Judge Mountain is the |
man best fitted. If split occurs in |
the local parties you are making a |
present of the mayoralty to Gregory"
Mr.. Austin said he was absolutely |
opposed to the pledge, adding that |
even a politician would be foolish to |
sanction it before election.
Defending the administration of |
Mayor Gregory, School Commissioner |
Louis Buddy, Sd. declared he could see !
no reason why the Democratic execu-
tive should not be approached regard
ing his attitude of the city manager
idea Some of his acts have not
been favorable" SAID the educator,
but it has been repeatedly asserted
that he is the best mayor the city |
has had in years
"My objection to Gregory" shot
back Mr.. Austin, "is that he has
skillfully built up a Democratic ma
chine in our city. And that is exact
ly what John b. Woolston would do.
| know both their methods very we'll"
Later. Mr.. Austin made the sug-
gestion that the former county Off
cial be asked his opinion of the city
manager plan of government
Reiteratfng his disapproval of the
candidacy of Mr., Woolston for the
mayoralty, William P. DALEY caused
all eyes to be turned in his direction
when he asserted that Mr. Woolston
is a former employe of the Lacka-
wanna railroad and was identified
with a sewerage disposal company
which had proposition before the
city. What can you expect from
that fact?' he added
Mr.. DALEY. IKE Mr.. AUSTIN, was
favorable to Judge Mountain. we
have not sufficient strength to carry
anything" he declared, ''and why not
get back of such an excellent type
of q man. He offered a substitute
resolution indorsing Judge Mountain
If the latter would accept, but the
measure was promptly downed by
vote of 10 to 4.
Frederick P. Schenck suggested the
naming of the committee which will
get in touch with all office seekers
about their willingness to work for
changing the present government.
After much talk and three or four
Amendments, it was acceptable to the
organization. Mr.. Roper will select
the committee members within few
n a