Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-06
MOVE TO PROSECUTE
VARE-SMTTH FACTION
MAY BE BEGUN TODAY
Rotan Expected to Start Probe
of Police in Politics With
View to Filing
Complaints
WOULD USE SHERN LAW

District Attorney Rotan In expected by
| Penrose- McNichol leaders to take some
! definite step today toward prosecuting
alleged violators of the Shern law for
'pernicious political activity" II hap
| pens that all those accused are men allied
I with the Vare-Smith- Brumbaugh combina-
tion in Philadelphia.
The talked-of. suit against the Mayor
himself to determine whether he, while
Mayor of the city, may be engaged in a
bonding business which makes money by
bonding city employees, will be considered
next week.
The Mayor again announced that he
was out of politics: declared that he had
| absolutely no intention of removing Di-
rector of Public Safety Wilson as n means
toward checking political activity in the
police department; declared that 1t was
the duty of the District Attorney to PROS
ecute violations of the Shern act. and well
coined test of his right to hold office
and at the same time be financially in
terested In a concern bonding municipal
employees. The Department Of Public
Safety issued orders for employees to keep
out of politics.
1t Is believed that ex-Judge Gordon. as
counsel for those interested, discussed
with the District Attorney the question
Of using the city's name in quo warranto
proceedings against the Mayor in rela-
the Mayor said:
Let them start the suit. I'm ready
for them My life is OPEN / have moth
ing to conceal"
MAYOR ASKED TO EXPLAIN.
In view of the lack of confidence among
Penrose- -McNichol leaders that politics
were to be eliminated from the city ad-
mlnistration. the Mayor was asked to tell
how he proposed to enforce the order pro-
hibitlng city employees from engaging in
political activity.
Why don't you go ask the District At
torney what he's going to do to keep them
out?" was the counter-questiGn of the
Mayor. Hes the man. I'm done, |
won't say anything more. tell you, city
employees are to be out of politics. I'm
going to be. too"
Discussing the sugk kestion that he might
dismiss Director Wilson, a Ware political
ally, the Mayor said: 81 certainly wln
not l appointed Mr.. Wilson against
strong opposition. and l have never had
cause TO regret it. Why should / dismiss
him now, just because Trainer wants me
too. | have the most implicit trust and
confidence in the Director, and as long as
| have, there is no reason why l should
dismiss him"
Select Councilman Trainer one of the
anti-Vare leaders, remarked when told of
the Mayors eulogy OF Director Wilson:
The Mayors refusal to fire Wilson is
the best proof in the world OF his lack of
good faith"
DIRECTOR NOT ALArMED.
Director Wilson took the talk about
himself with calmness. He said:
MY resignation has not been requested
by the Mayor. and do not expect that it
will be.
Before / Assumed this office | had
frank talk with the Mayor, in which the
question OF the police and fremen in poll
ties was gone over. We were in COM
plete accord in the view that policemen
and firemen should keep out OF politics
and devote their whole time and ability
to the city In performing police and fire
duties"
Following Director Wilson's declara-
tion, all members OF the Bureau OF Police
were cautioned in a general order from
Superintendent Robinson against partici- |
patinz in political activities OF any nature.