Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-06
WAR ON CONTRACTORS
RULE OPENS IN VOLLEY
FROM CITIZENS LEAGUE
Ware -Brumbaugh-Ambler Fac
tion Assailed in Declaration
From Porter-Penrose
Coalition
SENATOR WARE SILENT

The ionR-expected declaration Of wa
against the Wares and Governor, Brun
baugh was issued today by the Citizen
Republican League. which was organize
recently as an adjunct to the Penros
forces in this city.
The league made public lengthy state
nnent in which the efforts TO extend con
tractor domination Of the Republican or
ganizatlon throughout the state wer
nrIticised and the presidential aspiration
Of Governor Brumbaugh and the can
ddacy OF Speaker Charles A. Amber 70
the Republican nomination for Auditor
General were attacked.
Both McNichol and the Wares were in
cluded In the Leagues attack upon Con
tractor domination" but Senator Nc
Nchoi was dismissed with the assertion
that the Wares were the aggressors now
and that, therefore, the League woult
place its own ticket OF candidates In the
field In II wards at the coming primary
All Independent Republicans were called
upon to support the Leagues slate.
Senator Ware today refused to answer
the Leagues attack upon him What
IL this Citizens Republican League who
made this statement" he asked. When
told that the league is headed by Powell
Evans and George ID. Porter. he said ::
Il viii not dignity such statement with
a reply"
AMBLER ANSWERS ATTACK.
Speaker Amber, whose candidacy was
attacked in the statement as dangerous
and Objectionable" because he Is con-
tractor, made the following reply:
MY attention has just been called TO a
statement isued by Powell Evans and
George D. Porter, copartners in politics,
trading as the Citizens Republican
League. warning the public that | am in
the contracting business. am not sur
prised at this labored effort, as | under
ftand they have been working on IL for
more than month past If this is really
the best they can do they can, no doubt,
earn their hoped for reward more easily
in other fields of endeavor The fact 49,
am not interested In any State contracts
and do not expect to be. AS to my bus-
ness affairs IL they can show | ever re-
ceived dollar without giving a hundred
cents OF value in return I shall be glad
to have them publish 1t. The whole state
ment Is such as is usually issued by those
engaged in losing cause"
LEAGUES STATEMENT.
After declaring that unity within the
Republican party is the dominant issue
TO be worked out, the statement continues:
THE stumbling block to party unity
In Pennsylvania is the pernicious system |
OF contractor government, exenIpihed |
in Philadelphia the effort to extend il to |
through the influence and the public ad
vocacy of city contractors. of the ambi-
ton OF the Governor of the Commonwealth |
70 be the Republican party's candidate for |
President. Such factional effort must I
'e defeated II Independent Republicans |
ire to realize their desire to express effect |
vely their conviction in national issues
md at the same time preserve the princi-
'les, vital to good government in Phladel-
'hia, for which they have long fought and
or which they propose TO fight in the
uture.
To men who are determined to rid
Philadelphia of government by munich
pal contractors, the candidacy OF Charles .
A. Amber for an office of such great |
power as that of Auditor General is OBJ
iectionable and dangerous. Mr.. Amber .
IS in the contracting business. has been
on important State highway con-
tracts and is in close political relations .
yith the Ware contracting interests. He .
.annot properly hold State office where
ie will pass upon the bills rendered to
he Commonwealth by himself and his
riends engaged in this business
However worthy and honorable the
lmbition to attain the Presidency may be,
md however harmless individual 'booms'
nay be under ordina. circumstances
such movement as is now being pro-
iected in this Commonwealth, linked with
and largely dependent upon baneful
political principle which is seeking a State
wide influence, furnishes just cause for
apprehension. 1t challenges the Repub- /
licanism Of Pennsylvania to meet an issue.
the decision of which may have a far
reaching effect in city, State and nation.
SEEKS VIEWS OF GOVERNOR.
I'm this connection the league would |
be much interested in an expression from
Governor Brumbaugh as to his views .
the propriety of any public |
offieial having contracting interest di- .
rectly or indirectly. in public work par |
with regard to the great and :.
growing expenditure on highway improve
nent throughout the State and the Gov !
ernor'H well-known interest in this sub.
iect
Independent Republicans are as op.
posed to the domination Of a McNichoI /
rs OF Ware. But the latter interests /
are the aggressors now; and, strongly in |
lrenched in the government of PhiladeI. /
phia. are seeking to extend their infu-
ence throughout the State and into the
national convention. Neither the Citizens
League nor any OF its officers |
have any alliance with any politicians.
The league has planned its own course
of action and intends to pursue IT, IL
any OF the Republican party leaders in
mis- city or State are In sympathy with /
4. Il will welcome their support and CO. /
operation.
"on these lines independent Republicans
IRE being asked 10 organize and cooperate
n their respective wards and districts
Alreafs meetings have been held in
wards where committees have been !
appointed 10 effect thorough working or
This work will be continued
n other wards. The large attendance at
hese meetings and the interest displayed /
evidence the zeal OF the voters
4 this time for the welfare OF the princi.
pies above enunciated."