Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-25
ORGANIZATION SHES.
CLEAR OF FULFILLING
ITS LEXOW" THREAT
Nothing Doing"'Is Answer to
Request of Mayor and Other
Reform Leaders for
Investigation
AMBLER MAKES REPLY

A legislative committee 10 investigate
the Blankenburg Administration IL moi
'eXpedient" In the opinion Of the Repub
lican Organization. as expressed bs
Charles A. Amber, speaker OF the Hous,
Of Representatives, in his reply to Mayol
Blankerburg's telegram asking for tn,
appointment Of the committee.
The Mayors telegram was sent follow
ing Organization threats Of an investi-
cation II cordially invited such a probe.
Today it became known that the organ
ization had reversed itself, following the
precedent set by its mayoralty candidate,
Thomas h. Smith who challenged George
u. Porter, independent candidate, to a
public debate and then declined to meet
him. The Amber letter to the Mayor
follows:
Dear Mr.. Mayor-In answer to your
telegram of October q, requesting me
TO appoint an investigating commit
tee under the power given to me by
the last Legislature, would say that,
i'm view of the political controversy
now going on in Philadelphia, l do
not consider Il expedient to appoint
an Investigating committee until after
the election is over. Very truly yours,
CHARLES A. AMBLER,
Speaker House of Representatives.
Mayor Blankenburg contented himself
today with the significant declaration
that "Amblers statement speaks for it.
SELF" when he was asked to comment
on the refusal of the speaker to start
a "LeXow" of the administration. The
Mayor said he had nothing further TO
say about the Republican Organizations
sudden change of front at this time.
Speaker Amber said he is preparing
answers to the requests for a probe of
tho Blankenburg administration. The
first request was sent him by Joseph s.
Mclaughlin, former Assistant Director of
Supplies and acting for the Republican
City Committee, who charged that Di-
rector Loeb had accepted deliveries of
coal at the Philadelphia General Hos
plal which did not meet the specifca-
tions on which the price had been based.
Mayor Blankenburg and Herbert d. ALI
man, acting in behalf of the Franklin
party welcomed the threatened investiga-
ton. They sent messages to Speaker
Amber, asking him to appoint the com
mission at oEce and start probe of the
entire Blankcnburg administration or any
department of that administraio. The
Mayors telegram to the Speaker follows;
Hon Charles A. Amber. Abingdon.
I earnestly join in the request made by
Mr.. Joseph S. MacLaughln to have a
legislative committee appointed to visit
Philadelphia at once. I court investiga-
tion OF the charges made and would be
delighted to have my administration and
general municipal conditions investigated.
An impartial inquiry would disclose
many interesting facts which / shall be
glad to lay before the committee. If ap,
pointed. Let me express the hope that
the meeting may begin not later than
Tuesday of this week.
RUDOLPH BLANKENBURG,
Mayor.
Philadelphia. October o.
Mr. Altman, discussing his request for
an investigation, predicted the Organi-
cation would emulate it's mayoralty can
didate, who ran away from his own chal-
lenge to a public debate with Mr.. Por-
ter" Chairman, Altman said:
''The Oganization suggestion of an
other ,'Catlin' Investigation in Philadel-
phia was very evidently designed to in
jure the candidacy of George d. Porter
Franklin party nominee for Mayor. Since
the Organization has launched this po-
litical trick, we hope 1t will carry the
matter through and not emulate it's may
orally candidate, who ran away from
his own challenge to a public debate
with Mr. Porter"
DIRECTOR LoEB'S STATEMENT.
Director Loeb made this statement:
II welcome with open arms a legisla-
tive investigation. 1 would suggest that
when the committee gets through investi.
eating the Blankenburg administration
1t take up the unfinished business of the
Catlin investigation and make one bite
out of the cherry. The committee should
allow the people of Philadelphia TO be
judges as to the results of the two In.
vestigations, If there is anything that
the Gang could do better than such an
| investigation TO swell Mr.. Porter's ma.
jority, l cannot think of it at this time y
George ID. Porter. independent may.
orally nominee, said:
"As far as 1 am concerned, / would
welcome an investigation of the charges
made by Mr.. Mclaughlin. 1 also would
be glad to have the committee investigate
my former department"
nU A TINIH N IN CIUNFUlrN UNWnD