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

An organized revolt against the leader
,b,p of former Postmaster Thomas b.
,.,i,h with A closely allied anti-Penrose
,,ovement, has begun in the 2sth Ward.
rhis was admitted today By members
ot the Republican Ward Committee. The
ave. stems I'm the move to oust Smith
h.,s been taken by Washington party
men.
smith IL a resident OF Glenside and, ac-
,orainr TO those leading the revolt, for
number OF years has not had the right
,o vote in the 2sth Ward or to maintain
Ms leadership there. Despite his Glen
,id. residence, washington party men as
,ert he has continued to vote in the
asth 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 autocratc.
control, one member of the Ward Com
mittee today pointed to the election of
Jsseph 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
rrltteenan 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
Ia eject min. Please don't give my name,
for IL they knew [ was fomenting a re-
volt ! would be ousted before many days"
A meeting of the Ward Committee has
b.en called for tomorrow night when the
entire question probably will be thrcshed
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.
rublican Ward Committee. More than 20.
Il is claimed, are in sympathy with the
anti-Smith movement.
While there have heen no open ne
sotations, cooperation between Wash
Ington Party men and the revolving
Republicans. in the ward Is admitted
On the second registration day. Sep
tenber Is. William i. kicfer, a jeweler.
p Washington Party registrar and COM
mitteeman. challenged Smith on his at
tempt to register from the 18th division
nf the 2Sth Ward The challenge was
based on Smiths Glenside residence
Smith Immediately made affidavit that
he was q properly qualified resident of
10 register. The matter was brought !
before the Committee of Seventy and |
they intend to make thorough inves- |
tigation. II 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 |
Penrcse sentiment. This is admitted by |
10th sides. THE leadership OF Mr.. |
smith in our ward" one of the Reoub-
lcan 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."
n the revolt gains sufficient strength /,
tr 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
co this would require a two-thrds vote
OF the ward committee.