Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-05
FRAUD PROBERS
NAMED BY LANK
Committee Will Ask Con-
gress to Investigate AL
legged Irregularities Here
INQUIRY ADDED
Reforms of Election Laws Pro-
posed by Democrats Of
City

The appointment Of the Democratic com
mitteo Of eight that will petition Congress
for mn investigation OF the alleged frauds
committed In the river and downtown
wards during the presidential election was
made today by Democratic city Chairman
Edgar w. Lnnk.
The members named we're Roland 8.
Morris, former Democratic state chairman
former Congressman J. Washington LoEue.
IEnatlua A. Quinn. counsel for the Demo-
cratic city committee Mr.. Lank. Henry
Baur. Joseph X. willing. Isaac s. Gross
man and Harry u. woHcott PhraElng OF
tho petition which will be signed by sev-
eral thousand names. according 10 the plan.
will bo begun at once and the petition pre-
sentod next week
Another committee was appointed to in.
vestgate conditions In the Democratic or
ganiRatlon Of the river wards where Demo-
Gratis believe, many YOteB were lost because
OF faotlonal differences. The committee,
which will report on the advlsability Of re-
organizing the ward machinery. conBiHta Of
Thomas j. OavnRhan. OF the Thirty-elEhth
ward, and George w. Hankinson, OF tho
Forty.aecond ward. "od guard" adhcrontH:
Magistrate william II. Belcher. OF the Fiji
teenth ward MaEiBtrato John J. Grclls, OF
J. Campbell Of the ThIrty.fourth ward. and
John r. MoNenny, OF the Twenty.HiTth
ward all Of tho reorganization element
The committee that will present the pc
tltion TO Congress- will allege that more
than 10000 votes were lost to President
Wilson through illegntlcB In tho wards In
question
Proposed reform In the election laws
were ndorBed by tho Democratic city Com
mlttoe These have been outlined by Charles
=. Donnelly, old guard Democratic leader.
Tho proposed amendments are as follows
The present ''hssiHtanco clauHo" to be
either eliminated or amended. Imposing upon
the voter the neceBBity OF a declaration by
him under oath of the reason for assist
ance md TO mako II n misdemsanor for the
person to assist or tho Judge 10 authorize
assistance TO tho voter in the absence Of
the declaration or oath by the voter.
Ballot boxes to be opened upon tho petit
tIon OF Ave electors in any election division
upon the allegation OF fraud and tho Judge
sitting to compute the returns TO be em-
powered to open tho boxeB and 20 correct |
tho returns, and upon fraud being dls- |
closed TO hold the election officers for trial |
Making II misdemeanor for an cleo
tlon officer TO give out moro than ono ballot |
TO each voter, and that there shall not be |
printed by the county commissioners moro |
ballots for each division than there are |
voters registered; that for the purpose OF |
making provision to supply ballot to a /
voter who may have spoiled the original
ballot handed him by the election ON
GERS. extra ballots OF n different color be
printed, and that the original be marked
void by error and attached TO the extra
ballot, both ballots TO be deposited by the
voter with his name indorsed thereon
That In any election division whero the
election ofticers arG all OF one political
party upon petition by nve electors Of tho
division tho court shall have tho right 10
appoint an additional Inspector and clerk,
and tho additional inspector 80 appointed TO
have tho same right power and authority as
II he had been chosen at an election.
Making II n mIsdemeanor for an cleo
tlon officer to sign election return sheets in
blank.
Abolition of the party square on tho Of
iclal ballot
Amendment to define how ballots should
bo counted where there has been double
In other words. where the voter
marks for more candidates than no has n
light TO vote for. Ballots 80 marked TO be
lull and void. and not counted for the
particular Office for which the extra marks
nave been made, but 20 be counted for all
'ther candidates properly marked Cards
% be sent To election officers by tho County
Commissioners, directing and calling their
attention to tho law. and failure on the
,Rrt OF election officers to comply Herewith
o be n misdemeanor