New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-30
fractional Fight for
Spells Involves Mayor
Smith and Police in
Charges of Terrorism
ts,an Corr-pudencel

cused of shameless intimidation in an
election and her political leaders in
volved in the importation Of hired
thugs from New York TO do work even
beneath the worst of the police.
The disease here, as in New York,
where it broke out in the Rosenthal
murder, has been of long standing, and
has outliyed repeated "clean-ups." Here,
too, comparative decency was brought
about by a reform Mayor, but it was
lost, as New York may again lose it,
when the old political machines decided
il was better TO join than TO lose all
the spells, and fell TO fighting over
their loot.
Police Permit Attack
The climax was spectacular. On the
morning OF the primary election, Sep
TENDER 10, James A. Carey, ward
leader, and John II. Maurer, Assistant
District Attorney. were touring polling
places in the 9Th Ward. where Carey
was a candidate for the Republican
nomination for Select Council, when
they were attacked by thugs armed
with blackjacks and revolyers.
While police Of, the district stood by,
with no apparent effort to stop the as
sault, George A. Eppley, q detective
from another district, grappled with a
gunman who had attempted to shoot
Carey. TIE gunman turned, shot, and
killed Eppley.
After one OF car-ys assailants, ar
rested, had confessed that his gang
had been "imported" here for "elec-
ton work" by the faction opposed to
Careys nomination, warrants were OBJ
tanned for the arrest Of Thomas B..
Smith, Mayor Of the city; Isaac
Deutsch. common councilman from the
Fifth Ward and Carey's opponent for
the nomination, and David Bennett, a
police lieutenant of the district where
the murder occurred. They are
charged with conspiracy to commit
murder.
Factions in Bitter Fight
Back of the tragedy is fight be-
tween two rival factions in the Re-
publican party for the control of the
city government. At the head Of one
faction is State Senator Edwin II. Ware,
contractor. who has been well fed
with city contracts for years, and his
brother. william S. Ware, a Congress-
man. The leader of the other faction
is State Senator James p. McNIchol,
also city contractor, allied with
United States Senator Boies Penrose
in state and city politics.
Mayor Smith, elected as harmony
candidate, with the support of both
factions to succeed the previous re-
form administration since taking Office
in 1915, has aided the Wares. lie APP
pointed as director of public safety
William II. Wilson, Ware factionalist,
in whose department is vested the con-
troll Of the bureau of police.
In subsequent fights for the control
of ward organizations the Mayor has
thrown the power of his administra-
tion, employing patronage and police,
with the Wares, who now control q
majority of the Republican City Com
mittee.
Wares Start Campaign
The 9TH Ward outbreak was a re-
suit of this fight for control. Carey,
who is former policeman, police
lieutenant and magistrate, is the Nc
Nichol leader in the ward, and has
held sway in spite of victories for
the Ware faction in other ward organ
izations. Determined 10 add the 9TH
Ward to their lineup, the Wares en-
couraged a campaign for wrestling con-
troll from Carey.
q 4 tr,a n ~
for Select Councilman. Isaac Deutsch,
Il butcher, member of Common Council,
was chosen az candidate Of the Wares.
Carey entered the fight himself as
Deutsch's opponent
Several weeks before the primaries,
there was a general shifting OF police
from other districts TO the district
the 9Th Ward. David Ben
nett, Lieutenant on whom the Wares
could depend, was placed in charge.
Other policemen were transferred TO
serve under him.
Police Terrorism Begins
The purpose of these police shifts
soon became apparent in a campaign OF
coercion and open disregard of a state
law forbidding the use of police in
notifies. Raids were ordered and ar
rests made of Carey followers and
in a bold effort 10 prove
that Deutsch had the backing OF the
police. Usually these raids and ar
rests ended in promises of immunity
If the victims agreed to support
DeutSch.
An example in point was the raid
Of billiard place, owned by a Carey
follower, two weeks before the cleo
ton. Police descended on the place,
drove q crowd of street loungers and
hargers-on into the billiard room and
then "raided' il rs "disorderly
place
Jewish shopkccpers were approached
by policemen with promises Of pro
lection" if they voted for Deutsch.
Threats 10 arrest them For SELLING
on Sunday" in case they continued to
support Carey were made. News
paper reporters assigned 20 attend
meetings of the Deutsch faction were
out of the meeting halls and
arrested. Every effort was made 70
draw a curtain between the. reign OF
lawlessness in the 9Th Ward and the
the remainder of the city.
As a result Of police assaults week
before the primaries Lieutenant Ben
nett and seven Of his policemen were
in bail totalling S23,100.
Appeal Made to Mayor
Influential citizens Of the ward ap-
rcalcd 20 Mayor Smith TO end the
reign Of terror. Among them. the
Rev. p.. Daniel /. McDermott, rector
Of St. Mary'5 Roman Catholic Church.
for days prior 20 the primaries called
the Mayors attention By open letters
and appeals to conditions as they ex-
listed.
On September II, eight days before
the election, Father Mcnormott voiced