Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-23
SYSTEM OF MULCTING
JOBHOLDERS DEFENDED
BY WARE WARDLEADER
Harry d. Beaston, Of 10th, West
Philadelphia, Admits Letters
Are Sent and donations
Are Accepted"


A characteristic example OF political
honesty" az interpreted by many Repubh-
can ward leaders IN Philadelphia is ex-
plained by Harry D. Beaston, Ware boss OF
The Fortieth Ward. West Philadelphia.
Beaston. when questioned. revealed the
method OF obtaining political contributions
IN his ward, which has caused protests
from off1ceholders He admits that letters
were sent 20 all placehoiders In that section
Of West Philadelphia; that the chairman
OF the ward committee receives the money
at the Fortieth Ward Republican club,
Fifty-seventh street and Woodland avenue.
and that he. Beaston. has personally ac-
cepted several donations at his once in the
Bulletin Building.
These facts are substantiated by many
other ward leaders who uphold the system
OF obtaining political assessments under
the label OF voluntary contributions" de-
spite the fact that Il has been shown con-
trary to law.
BEAsToNs ADMISSIONS
Here is what Beaston said:
We have not had single complaint.
Letters we're sent TO all placeholders in the
ward. OF course. I personally did not have
anything to do with the sending of the let
ters. II had one would show Il 10 you.
There is nothing wrong about II.
THE contributions are not received by
division committeeman This work Is done
by the chairman OF the ward committee. He
purpose. At other times he can be seen at
his home
The contributors are furnished with
receipt signed by the chairman. II they
don't get one n is their own fault.
They are not called upon to pay any
specified amount But. II they ask. we gem
orally tell them what the others are doing
II have had several come here 20 my
office and give me contributions, which ]
turned over 10 the chairman OF the ward
committee"
Beaston was asked II there would be any
form OF reprisal taken against the place
holders who did not pay a contribution. He
answered:
IF THEY DON'T HELP"
IT will be frank with you. They are not
bound In any way TO pay. In fact, many OF
the policemen had not contributed. On the
other hand, they must not come TO me for
help ~ they don't help me In this matter.
That I consider more than Just.
II have never held an office in the club
which was built through the efforts of sew.
eral friends I'm the neighborhood and myself.
We have always been fair with the boys
They have been better treated in our ward
than In many other sections The majority
OF them will tell you the same thing
II have always seen that a good, honest
fellow was in charge OF the finances and
that the club is properly run. just as have
my own business"
Company. The honest fellow that receives
the contributions. whose name the Ware
leader forgot to mention, In william Walsh,
of 6S37 Woodland avenue.
Despite the "leniency" Of the system, as
explained by Beaston. policemen are pro-
testing because they have TO come across"
Many Of them said they were not going to
contribute unless II became absolutely nee
eBsary.
BACK TO "oLD TIMES"
One Of the policemen. who has accepted
the condition, said that they had 10 pay
and characterized the so-called contribu-
tions as Insurance money"
Another policeman took a different stand
and said:
MANY OF US are not going TO pay un-
less compelled We did not contribute
during the Blankenburg administration. II
we begin now II will be like going back
TO old times. when the collector called at
the station house and made known his de-
mands. To pay this year would bring us
within a step of the former method"
A third policeman protested and said:
Il guess the only solution is TO pay
like this district and II / don't contribute
they are liable to transfer me TO another
part Of the city"
PLAN IN 9TH WARD
From policemen who reside in the Twen-
ty-seventh Ward II learned that at the
West Philadelphia Club, at Forty-first and
Chestnut streets, mulcting was in force
One of them said that word was passed
around to go to the club on pay night
committeeman, who received" their con-
tributions.
They quoted the voluntary contri- |
button" rates for policemen as SIS for a |
patrolman, S24 for sergeants. sac for lieu |
tenants and s56 for captains