Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-14
SMITHS OPEN SHIFT
10 GOVERNOR AS STATE
LEADER Is BIG SURPRISE
Politicians Had Not Expected
Mayor to Announce
Alignment With
Brumbaugh
REvERsEs FORMER VIEW

The announcement made by Mayor
Ihoina9 r. Smith, when he heartily in
oorsed( the presidential candidacy OF
SoveThor Brumbaugh. occasloned consid-
erahfe surprise among Philadelphia poll
While the fact that the Mayor is allied
y1th the Brumbaugh-Vare faction has
been known since he went into office. II
had been expected that he would not
openly align himself with the Brumbaugh
candidacy because of the attitude he had
assumed regarding the delegates situa-
ton before the FIRST of the year.
In unqualifledly indorsing the Brum-
baugh candidacy, the Mayor completely
reversed the position which he took last
December.
on December 10 he issued statement
In which he said.
There is no reason or excuse for
any faction In Philadelphia or I'm the
State trying to start a political fight
We have had enough fighting in the
past with the resulting party defeats
Particularly In Philadelphia, I will not
stand for any factional warfare in the
party by contractors or any one else
and have the real settled conviction
that in the greatest Republican city
In the country the party should not be
open to the reproach of contractor
leadership.
/ have known Senator Pcnrose we'll
supported him in his political efforts.
realize his great Influence in the
national councils Of the Republican
party and how valuable are his serv-
ices at this time on account of his
long and wide experience
Representative business men and
political leaders Of the different Con-
gressional districts will he elected
delegates to the National Convention.
and II is my desire that they should
hsa In har r,,.fNt \
sustain his leadership for the welfare
of the State and nation
The statement issued last night by the
Mayor was T. lcphoned by the Chief Ex-
ecutive from Aiken, S. C. where he is
resting for week ten days with Sen.
ator Edwin II. Ware and several Ware
followers.
In II the Mayor placed his stamp Of ap.
prevail upon the statements made by Re-
publican National Committeeman Henry
@. Wasson, who, in his letter asking Gov.
ernor Brumbaugh to consent TO the use
OF his name for the purpose of uniting
the Republicans and Progressives, point
ed TO Senator Penrose's leadership as
being responsible for the Republican de.
feat in 1912. The Mayor, referring to
the letters exchanged between the Gov.
ernor and Mr.. Wasson, said, "G wholly
and heartily approve their spirit and
sentiment"
HIS NEW ATTITUDE
The Mayors statement was:
The letter of Mr.. Wasson to the
Governor and his reply will he most
welcome to the people Of PENNSYLVANIA
and Is the beginning Of new era in
Republican politics in this State. They
are statesmanllke papers and l wholly
and heartily approve of their spirit
and sentiment.
The Governors life has been one
OF successful effort for the public well
fare. From information of political
conditions throughout the state I am
satisfied that he IL the only man under
whose leadership the Republicans and
Progressives can unite and thus avoid
the disastrous result Of 1919. He rep
resents all that is best in American
eharacter and citizenship and Il will
be my personal pleasure and duty
to do all in my power to support and
aid him to the end that there shall |
be aunlted Republican party, led by
one who knows the needs of the people
and has the ability and courage to be
and do the right.
Senator Penrose has so far remained |
silent regarding the Governors announce
aneut. He Is marshaling his forces as rap
idly as possible, however and has prepared |
an answer which he will issue within two |
or three days
SEES FLINNS HAND.
Behind the Brumbaugh candidacy many |
politicians believe they see the hand OF |
William Finn. OF Pittsburgh. Progressive
leader in Pennsylvania. 1t Is generally |
believed along the political rialto that !
Finn will maintain only a skeleton of the !
washington party State organization. and |
thus be able to throw many votes to Brum-
naugh at the primaries Wasson is a |
lieutenant of Finn. and In political cir
cles II is believed that he did not act |
without first having consulted with Finn.
CAIRTRn0M IN IrpRnAR