Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-24
MAYOR DENIES POLICE
ARE USED IN POLITICS;
WANTS TO SEE PROOF
Smith Doubts Penrose Nc
Nichol Allegations, but
Will Act on
Affidavits
FOR IMMEDIATE PROBE

Mayor Smith today answered the PEN
rose -McNichol allegation of improper po-
lice activity in politics with an emphatic
declaration that he stood ready to act Cn
any affidavits making specific accusations
as soon as they have been presented TO
him. At the same time the Mayor as
serted that he knew of no improper ac-
tivity on the part of either the police or
the firemen. and added that II there had
been such II was the fault of the men
themselves.
According to the Penrose. .McNichol
leaders, atfdavits making specific allega-
tions that both firemen and police have
been engaged in improper political activ.
ity, directly contrary to the declaration
of Public Safety Director Wilson, have
been collected from reputable citizens in
six wards. These affidavits. from the
4th, 9th, 36th. 4Sd, 46th and 4sth Wards
they said, will be presented to the Mayor
and Director Wilson as soon as the
charges have been whipped into shape
When told Of the threat of the leaders
in the Penrose-Mc McNichol Mayor Smith
said:
READY TO ACT.
"I know nothing of police activity in
politics, but II such information is brought
before me, 1 will act Immediately. There
will be no delay until after the primaries
on any question of this Importance"
when asked IL affdavits alleging ,po-
lice activity in the 4Sth and other wards
had been placed before him. the Mayor
said:
II have not seen or heard anything OF
any affidavits. but If they are presented
to me l am perfectly willing to take them
up at once. / certainly would act imme-
diately. The police and nremen of the
city have been fully warned to keep out
of political fights, and II they care to
jeopardise their positions by acting other
wise. l want to know It. / may have a
statement to give out on this question
later in the day, but have not yet de-
clded this point. All the police know my
attitude on this subject, and you can say
for me that II any charges are made they
will be fully investigated without the
loss of any time"
In reply to questions as to what would
happen should the charges against the
Police Bureau be proved, Mayor Smith
made it evident thar he would not hesi-
tate to punish the offenders. In this con-
nection. he said
II don't care what political faction
might suffer. and don't care what police
officer would lose out My position in this
matter is too well known to need exhaus-
tive comment"
The fight against the Smith-Vare fac
ton in the wards in which the affdavits
County Commissioner Robert j, Moore
Select Councilman James NJ. Nicely, City
Committeeman Albert S. Henry, John
Sloan and Thomas Love. The affidavits,
1t Is said, will be made public when
they have been presented to the Mayor
and Director Wilson.
According to one of the Penrose-Mc-
Nichol leaders they are ready to allege:
First. That an uptown lieutenant OF
had dpmnndad
tain of his officers turn in for the
Wares, and when these subordinates
refused threatened to get them "at the
front"
Second That the captain of fire
company In one of the remote districts
has spent several hours nightly in the
last week canvasslng the division in
which he lives for the Ware ticket in
a factional fight.
Third. That battalion chief of the
fire department who lives in West
Philadelphia has attended numerous
political meetings for Harry A.
Mackey, and ia canvassing certain di-
visions whenever opportunity presents
itself.
Fourth. That in the 4sth Ward, Di-
rector Wilson's home, lieutenant and
an acting detective have been sent ou.
to do political work, and that the man
who sent them TO the division COM
mitteeman for orders said that the
word came from the front"
In the 4th Ward the factional contest |
Yesterday resulted in the arrest three |
lines OF John Cassidy, steward of the |
Sporting Club, Front and |
Water streets. Cassidy asserted he was |
marked for perSecution by Lieutenant |
and Senator Salus because he |
refused 20 desert County Commissioner |
Moore in the fight for ward control.