Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-23
ORGANIZED REVOLT
AGAINST SMITH AN
ANTT-PENROSE STEP
Washington Partymen and
M m bers of R,epubli-
can Ward Com m ittee
Would End Former Post
masters Leadership.

"A, organized revolt against the leader
,b,n Of former Postmaster Thomas b.
Smith, with closely allied anti-Penrose
moyement, has begun in the 2Sth Ward.
This was admitted today by members
M the Republican Ward Committee. The
drst steps in the move to oust Smith
have been taken by washington party
men.
oording to those leading the revolt, for
a number of years has not had the right
to vote in the 2Sth Ward or to maintain
his leadership there. Despite his Glen
side residence, Washington party men as
rert 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
mittee today pointed to the election of
Joseph Smith, Thomas B. Smiths brother,
as chairman Of the Ward Committee.
"Thomas B. Smith never had been
member of the Ward Committee until he
was chosen chairman" the protesting COM
snitteeman declared. I'VE were 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
10 elect him. Please don't give my name,
for II they knew 1 was fomenting a re-
volt would be ousted before many days"
A meeting of the Ward Committee has
been called for tomorrow night when tho
entire question probably will be threshed
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
-
present there are y members of the Re-
publican Ward Committee. More than 20,
II is claimed, are in sympathy with the
anti-Smith movement.
While there have been no open ne
gotiations, 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 a jeweler,
Washington Party registrar and COM
mitteeman, challenged Smith on his at
tempt to register from the 18th 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 18th division. He was then allowed
to register. The matter was brought
before the Committee of Seventy and
they intend to make n thorough inves-
tgation. If the facts warrant they will
take the case to tho 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 ;he 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
r. Reedmoyer, the Republican City |
from the 2sth Ward. To |
DO this would require a two-thirds vote
Of the ward committee