Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-08-13
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Pen~oqe0onia
By the Ex-Committeenan

Governor Brumbaugh's request for
the resignation of Highway Com
missioner Black and the letter of the
Somerset countian in severing his
connection with the state govern
ment has superseded gubernatorial
talk and even interest in the Demo-
cratic row il Philadelphia over Fed
eral patronage. That the Governor
and his old-time friend and personal
selection for the state highway chief
ship should break with sharp words
was surprise for many people.
The newspapers of the state gave
much attention to the retirement oi
Mr.. Black yesterday, but there is
not much editorial comment upon il
to-day. The Philadelphia Public
Ledger sharply criticises the Cover
nor's action, declaring that he seems
determined to sacrifice state interests
and his own good name Ito the pur-
pose of partisan politics." and saying
that the Governor has "blindly sur
rendered his judgment" to politi-
clans. The Pittsburgh Post, Demo-
cratic organ, says that twenty mil
lion dollars is too much to trust to A
department that has any politics
in it.
The Governors office and the
administration chiefs here have de-
clined to make any statement about
the resignation and the Governor S
office did not give out the letter in
which the Governor asked Mr.. Blac
to resign. Mr.. Black has refused to
make any further comments.
The belief is that the drastic
action taken by the Governor means
that the state administration intends
4. 1. g, l. oil Inv,
of the next state ticket than has been
believed. No one high in admins
tration councils has enthused over
the Sproul boom and the Scarlet
boom has not evoked any hurrahinS
at the Capitol. A good many people
cling to the opinion that Attorney
General Brown may turn up as the
administration candidate.
Congressman Dewalt was given
a great send-off by Lehigh Demo-
Gratis on Saturday and will be a can
didate next year. Reorganizers were
not very prominent at the meeting.
in a statement issued Saturday says
that i'll health is the reason he de-
cided not to run again.
When Frank B. Black retires
from the State Highway Department
on. Wednesday the direction of its
affairs will devolve upon Joseph w.
Hunter, First Deputy Commissioner,
who was formerly Commissioner
himself and who has twice acted as
Commissioner since. Mr.. Hunter
took charge when E. NJ. Bigelow
retired and when Robert j. Cunning
ham died. Nh. Black is expected
here late to-day, although at his
office it was stated that no one knew
lust when he would be here. as he
had cleared up affairs before leaving
Friday.
Things were going on as usual
in the department to-day and Chief
Engineer w. Fl. Uhler. who was re-
ported as likely to resign, laughed
about it.
Capitol Hill is looking for ap-
pointment of a successor to Mr.
Black to be made very soon and In
surance Commissioner ]. Denny
O'Neil, of McKeesport, is mentioned
as the most likely man. Secretary
of Agriculture Charles e. Patton and
General A. J. Logan, of Pittsburgh,
mentioned when Mr.. Cunningham
was appointed, are also talked of.
General Willis j. Hulings, of
Oil City. who wants to be a candidate
for Congress on the Republican
ticket in the Twenty eighth district,
will not have his papers filed unless
the courts order it. The Secretary
of the Comm department
declined to receive papers presented
Saturday by the general, who con-
tends that he was misled by q printed
form which had been superseded by
the act of 1917 shortening the time
for filing. The first paper filed con-
tanned only rs names. Two hundred
were needed.
E. V. Babcock has formally an
nounced his candidacy for mayor.
There are now three candidates with
Commissioner Magee on the horizon.
An Altoona special says: The
proposition for q trial of the city
manager is still being pressed. 1t
is probable that a committee of fifty
eight citizens, two of them from each
precinct in the city will recommend
four candidates on that issue. They
will consist as is now heard of two
prominent merchants standing for
the business interests and two work
ingmen, representing the wage earn
ers. The impression prevails that it
will make a strong combination to
be backed by a platform assuring
efficiency in city government.
On the other hand many residents
are said to be not willing to adopt
such a plan of conducting municipal
affairs. The present commissioners,
it is understood, may seek reelection
and appeal to the conservative ele-
ment to not make a change at this
time, advancing, among other rea-
sons, that it is proving too expensive
elsewhere and to await developments
TO see if such form of government
is successful where now being used
before adopting it here.