Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-31
United States Senate, as in
Lorimer Case, Will Hear
Evidence Legally Out
lawed Presented to Show
Character of the Accused,
If He Is Returned.
Pittsburgh Machines Campaign
coIIapses Through the Ex-
posure of Bi-Partisan Liquor
Supporters Plan to Elect 1.-THE
Friend Of the Saloon"
NO. 8


Boies Penrose as United States Sena-
tor is regarded as s2oOO.o0O asset to the
liquor interests OF Pennsylvania Not
only has evidence been presented to the
Senate Committee on Privileges to show
that a 100000 slush fund has been
raised during the present campaign. but
additional testimony Is forthcoming to
establish the fact that 100000 was con-
tributed by the liquor interests to maze
sure his last election.
The confession OF a liquor dealer. high
in the councils OF the Republican party,
will be testimony against Penrose should
he be elected to the Senate and an in
vestgation follow. This line of testimony
will be produced to establish his long
time connection with the liquor interests
OF the State.
Had the Senate Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections not been prevented
by political pressure. both Democratic
and Republican. to investigate the PEN
rose record before election, Director OF
Public Safety George D. Porter would
have appeared and told under oath Of
meeting with officials OF several liquor
organizations In which a confession was
made by one of the men that a 81, 600
fund had been raised by the liquor inter-
ests to make sure that the Legislature
would return Penrose to the Senate.
PORTER WILLING TO TESTIFY.
This conference took place in the once
OF Director Porter in City Hall two years
ago. 1t was brought about at time
when the police department was attempt
ing to force reforms in city saloons.
Among those present was Neil Bonner.
president OF the Pennsylvania Federation
Of Liquor Dealers. He introduced several
men to Director Porter, one of whom told
the story Of the previous 100000 slush
fund.
While the attorneys who have framed
the case against Penrose realize that the
testimony pertaining to the first s., ,O00,-
900 would be outlawed as legal evidence.
they contend that the Senate Committee
on PRIVILEGES and Elections would permit
Director Porter to go on the stand and
tell OF the meeting. This, one OF the at
torneys said. would follow precedent es-
tablshed in the Lorimer case. when tho
committee abandoned strictly technical
rules and were willing TO hear all testi-
mony regarding the character of the de.
fendaut,
Director Porter has expressed his will
ingness TO testify. Neil Bonner and the
men who attended the meeting were to
have been subpoenaed had the investiga-
ton been called, and will be subpoenasd
in the event of Penross victory. On
the witness stand the Director will idea-
tity the man who told him OF the former
slush fund.
PITTSBURGH MACHINE coLLAPsEs,
The Penross machine in Pittsburgh has
virtually collapsed. To prevent a COM
plete rout Of this bipartisan liquor politi-
cal combine, headed by Armstrong, Ma
gee, MulvihiH and Bremen. probably the
most active money gathering campaign in
the history Of the State has been waged
and is still being waged.
Added 10 the tax upon saloonkeepers.
brewers and disJiners In Allegheny Coun-
~, the Penrose- Oliver leaders have made
a desperate attempt 10 raise funds 10 pre-
vent a defeat for Penrose and the con-
gressionsl and State tickets. Evidence
has been secured and is in the possession
OF Representative A. Mitchell Palmer,
that a $4,000 fund was raised before the
primary. Since that time the amount has
been more than doubled.
a body Of men, having no other desig-
nation than that Of Finance Commit
tee" has raised by direct assessment
among the manufacturers the principal
Penr0se fund. That their activity was
not confined TO pre-primaTy solicitations
Is eyiuced by the fact that PenToss agents
made 5000 assessments only last week
upon the following
James ] Flannery president Of the Va
nadium Company, and John F Casey one
Of the largest contractors In the city The
men refused TO pay the assessment
In addition a Century Club has been
formed among members Of the Duquesns
Club. each member pledging 10 contributs
$50 70 the PeurOse fund.
BABCOCK ACTIVE IN COLLECTION.
r. V. Babcock, whose campaign has
been launched as the successor Of ssn-
ator George I. oliver and who recently
entertained Senator PenTose at his ooun-
try home. Is the most active man 10 the
collection caEaFslEu. Tha baeksEs q tha