Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-01
FORMER PROPRIETOR
Or POLITICAL BAR"
CHARGES CONSPIRACY
Martin L. Wolf Accuses
David Baird, Camden
Politician, and Others of
Cheating Him Out of His
Saloon.

''The Political Bar" as they used TO
call the saloon at the northeast corner OF
Ridge and Girard avenues, when IT was
the stamping ground Of ward heelers, is
being run for the financial benefit OF
David Baird, boss OF the Republican odd
Guard" IN Camden, according to Martin
l.. Wolf. the bars former proprietor
Mr. Wolf also says he was cheated
outr OF his saloon and his license.
Whether or not his story Is true will
be determined In Common Pleas Court
No on Thursday. In his bill OF COM
plant wof. who lives at 1887 North 18th
street. declares that he was the victim
OF conspiracy and he names the fol-
lowing as co-defendants with Mr. Baird
Tho First National Bank Of Camden
OF vhlch Mr. Baird is PRESIDENT Marcus
N Carroll, whom Wolf calls "Baird's
Man friday; Frederick s. Drake. law
partner OF ex-Mayor Joh1 Weaver ana
Herman Mueller, an Assistant city So
iloitor attached TO the staff Of CITY 80
llcltor Michael j. Ryan. The detendants
mako complete denias.
The case IL a veritable labyrinth or
mortgages, promissory notes transfers OF
property and leases. and agreements IN
writing and by word OF mouth. Wolt'
whose Iluuor place was heavily mort
Gagged was discharged In bankruptcy in
1908. Immediately prior TO his discharge
he was Indebted to Baird's bank In the
sum OF about $4,000. He thinks he was |
entitled to discharge on this debt but
Baird denies this and In the patching mp
or VOLTS tangled affairs the Following
plan was followed:
An agreement was made in 1913 be- |
tween Wolf and Carroll by which Wolf |
agreed 70 cell Carroll his property and |
license for $4,000 the amount Of the /
MORTGAGES to be credited by the vender |
on nccount Ct the agreed purchase price. /
Carroll accordingly took charge of the !
place, and. says Wolf, made big profits,
which he turned over TO Baird. This alli-
ance Baird denies. He has nothing to do |
with the running Of the saloon. he de-
clares.
Wolf also says he was persuaded by
Baird, against his better Judgment, to
sign promissory notes to the order of
either Baird or his bank amounting In
al TO about $4,000.
Baird threatened 20 forecose all the
mortgages. according 20 Wolf unless
Wolf transferred the liquor license TO
Carroll who had already been placed
IN charge Of the saloon manager"
was to hold the real estate" and
Carroll was to hold the license until n |
buyer for Il could be found, at which
time Carroll would pay Mrs. Wolf 5000
in cash Until that time he was to pay
Wolf $40 a week.
These payments. which stopped May q,
1914 are declared by the defendants to
have been made for the uneXpired license.
Wolf will ask the court TO issue an in
junction restraining Mueller and Drake
from conveying or encumbering the
and Carroll from using or dis
posing OF the license, He win ask for a
decree ordering that an accounting OF
the receipts at the saloon be made: and
for decree directing the immediate re-
conveyance OF the property by Mueller
TO the VOLTS. and directing the retrans-
fer Of the liquor license back to Wolf.
The saloon was famous years ago for
the political meetings that were held
there. IL was there that former Police J
Hugh Blaney was discovered
IN company of special policeman one
Sunday afternoon. Blnney was dis ]
missed from the police force In 1918. He ,
Ras accused of political activity during
he Blankenburg campaign. Blaney Is '
now a tipstaf in the Municipal Court.