Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-03
FERRY STANDS PAT"
in HIS GRAFT CHARGE
AGAINST LARRY EYRE
~ Rely on the Public Records
at Harrisburg to Prove
Them" Collector of
Port Says
INVITES LEGAL ACTION

Witian w. Berry. Collector of the Port
ftcday "stood pat on his charge that II,
Larry Eyre. Republican leader of Chester
County and candidate for State Senator,
was tho originator % the per foot rule
tracts Tor the state Capitol furnishings
according 20 that system by which favored
coufractors obtained millions OF dollars
Mr.. icyre's threat 70 make Mr. Berry re-
tract his charge after election, the Collector
tor 4 have made my charge and I
rely on the public records AZ Harrisburg
20 prove a. Mr. Eyre may try 20 In
eInuate that this In an sleventh-hour
charge made on the eve OF election. II
no means to take any legal action he has
had plenty OF time. I hrst made reference
20 his part IN the Capitol graft scandal
on the night OF October II at West Chester.
NY remarks at that time were published,
and Mr.. Eyre certainly knew what | had
said. That was three weeks before cleo
tion DAY. 20 Il cannot be considered as an
detenth-hour matter.
FACTS ALL OF RECORD
"Bcsides. tho charges themselves are not
new. The facts are all OF record and may
be found In the report OF tho commission
sppontcd by Governor Pennypacker TO in
vestigate the charges Of graft IN the Capitol
building after ! had unearthed the CON
tract scandal I referred TO them AZ this
time because Mr.. Eyre Is a candidate for
public Office and feared that some people
might have forgotten his previous career
as q state officlaL l have nothing to re-
tract from what said either at West Ches-
ter or subsequently,"
Mr.. Eyre, In a statement mado today, ac-
cuses Mr. Berry Of trying TO divert the
voters from the real issue. the .qualifca-
tions Of the two men now running for the
State Senate.
QUALIFICATIONS THE ISSUE
'srhat Is exactly true" said Mr., Berry
THE Issue is the qualification Of the two
men, and l am discussing Mr. Eyres quail
ncatlons as sec thcm. have nothing to
say about any other person connected with
the Capitol scandal at this time. Mr.. Eyre
happens TO be tho only one now running for
office have merely told the people mat
tiers concerning his public career which !
think they should know. | might say more
by yaporising, but am content TO stand
~ such things as are OF record
Mr.. Berry declined to give further in-
formation as TO the contents OF the reputed
dcathbed confession OF John H. Sander
son. contractor for much OF the interior
Furnishings. OF the Capitol. Il do not care
70 say anything about that document now
he said. Mr.. Eyre Is the only person mem
toned In. II who Is running for office. The
paper itself was IN my ,hands for more
than two hours Other persons are prob
1pty Iamiiiar with It's contents. 1t bore
a notary's seal and was witnessed by two
men. IL had every appearance OF being
genuine, and II Il was a forgery, IL was
. clever one"
EYRE's DEFENSE
Mr.. Eyre was asked today II he would
accept Mr.. Berry's Invitation 70 bring suit
for libel as a result of the charge that
Eyre originated the method OF the Capitol
graft. He replied:
II viii not permit this TO be made an
ente-election matter. After the election /
win make Mr.. Berry retract any charges
he has made. After the election / win
prove TO the citizens of Chester County that
there Is not scintilla Of truth In these
charges
You know very well that when a thing
Ike this is brought out two or three DAYS
before election Il is an admission by the
opponents that they are beaten. They-are
trying 70 divert the voters from the real
issue The real issue IL the qualifications
OF The two men.
Asked II the charges did not AFFECT the
qualifications Of one OF the candidates. him
self Mr.. Eyre repeated that he was not
going 20 be dragged into an ante-eiectlon
discussion.
Mr., Eyre's opponent Is John r. Thomas
Of Woodford fie Is State senatorial candi.
GATE on the Washington and Democratic
tickets. Eyre Is the Republican nominee