Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-05
GEORGE D. PORTER
FACES NEW SUIT
ON LIBEL CHARGE
Montgomery Commission
ers Riled by Fraud Accu-
{ sation Against Amber
AWARD OF CONTRACT
Phoenixville Bridge Deal In
wolves Integrity of Board,
h Officials Declare

George d. Porter, former Director Of
Public Safety and at present secretary OF
the Citizens' Republican League, who was
held under $4,000 bail yesterday afternoon
by Magistrate Beaton on charges of crimi-
nal libel preferred by Speaker Charles A.
Amber. Observation-Disclosures candl-
date for Auditor General, Is facing further
libel charges
The men who served as commissioners
Of Montgomery County last year and the
three present County Commissioners of
Montgomery, together with other officials
who held office in that county last year,
today announced their Intention OF start
ing court proceedings Of their own against
Porter.
The former and present officials of Mont
gornery County said today that they looked
upon Porter's charges OF fraud against
Amber, which resulted in the arrest of
the ex-Dfrector, as a reflection upon their
own honesty.
They will hold a meeting today or to-
morrow. and win decide Just what action
they WIN take against the former Director,
they announced today.
PARTIES TO SUIT.
A b. saylor. of sanatoga; James Krew.
son. of Cheltenham, and Harmon Y.
Bready, Democratic Commissioner, of
Bethayres. who were members Of the
Board Of Commissioners in 1915, when
the contract for the bridge over the
Hchuyikin River at Phoenixville was
awarded 10 Ambler's contracting firm and
upon which Porter and the league based
their charges of fraud, are arranging the
meeting Robert @ Miller. present Reg
lister Of Wills of Montgomery County and
chief clerk TO the Montgomery County
Commissioners in 1915, will join with
them.
The present County Commissioners of
70 -I
Commissioners Of 1915 and the present
Commissioners Of that county will be
asked to attend and take part IN what
ever action is planned against Porter.
George Sullivan, of Lower Merton. is
president of the present Board of Com
missloners of Montgomery County. Roy
Hatfield, Of Norristown. and Bready. who
was reelected, are the other members.
Swithian shortlidge, David Golden and
Wilmer Pennypaclrer were the commits
sioners of Chester County in 1915. They
voted to award the contract to the Amber
firm at n joint meeting with tbs Mont
gomery County Commissioners held in
December, 1915.
Golden also 10 n member of the pres
ent Board OF Commissioners OF Chester
County The other members are DRY
John" Baldwin and E. w. Blston. The
present commissioners are Interested in
the contemplated action against Porter,
DeCaube tne A1nDler CONTRACT was rHIlHeu
by the new boards of both Chester and
Montgomery Counties.
Porter questioned the honesty OF
Charlie Amber" said former Comnlis-
sioner say1or. Of Montgomery County, to-
day, "and in doing so questioned our own
honesty. because we awarded the contract
to Ambler's company,
During the years that we served as
public officials of Montgomery County
such charges and intimations were never
made before. Wewill hold a meeting this
afternoon, or tomorrow at the latest, and
will decide then Just what action We are |
going to take against Porter.
Il don't know anything about Philadel-
phia politics. except what I read IN the |
newspapers. But we will not |
stand for any one making charges that |
Involve us and which question our hon
ssty. simply fOr political purposes IN Phil |
adelphia-"
The Montgomery and Chester County /
sfioials viii base any charges they may |
sring against Porter upon the same state
ATTalgned % tho charge of criminal libel
The statement was issued last Monday
by ths Oltizens' Republican League, and
Porter assumed full responsibility for IT,
rhe statement charged that the Amber
Davis Company of which Charles A |
AnbleR IL president, had been awarded a
contract for q bridge. over the Schuyllcill
from Rhoenixville TO Montclair, In an
Irregular WAY. The contract was awarded
Jointly by the Commissioners of Mont
gomery and Chester Counties last year,
and was ratified by the present Commits