Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-27
Judge Davis Speeds Up Tes-
timony on Validity of
Petitions
woMEN AS WITNESSES
Resumption of Hearings on
Minor Points Set for
Monday

mon Pleas Court No. 3. The proceedings
& win be resumed on Monday for further
investigation Of the petitions for the minor
Offices.
Following a request Of Judge Davis At
torneys for both the Independents and the
Vare-Smith machine sped the proceedings
along as quickly as possible In order 10
cover all of the ground. Announcement
that the hearing in connection with the
nomination petitions for the principal ohcHs
would end at ocloc! was made by Judge
Davis at 2 80 o'clock. He also said that
he would probably hand down an opinion
regarding the petitions on Monday morn
ing.
The Judge said the proceedings had to
terminate this afternoon In order that the
ballots for the coming election might be
prepared This action was also necessary.
ne said, to protect the rights of electors
tie then asked counsel on both sides to act
speedily.
JUDGE REBUKES DELAYS
'aThe proceedings have continued since
20 O'Clock Tuesday" the Judge added
'SThere have been too many objections and
likewise delays. I want counsel on both
sides 70 govern themselves in accordance
with the instructions | have handed down.
1 shall probably hand down an opinion on
the case next Monday morning. Should
any amendments be asked for they will be
acted upon by the Court without any testi-
rnony
There are some petitions on which the
Court will allow amendments for the rea.
son that the evidence shows that the irregu-
inrity was not due TO any intent to violate
the law shall not at this time indicate
what pet tions ! am referring to-
In concluding his remarks. Judge Davis
said that the hearing in connection with
the nomination petitions for the smaller
offices would be resumed on Monday morn
fuO In Pleas Court No. =. before
Judges Vessels and Carr. The Judge also
said he would be glad to cooperate with
these Judges in any way that he could
Desperation caused the Vare.Smiths to
resort to brutal methods in the concluding
hours.
Scores of gray.haired mothers many
them frall and unnerved, were huddled into
the courtroom and City Hall corridors.
where they remained throughout the day.
Even hidebound politicians who are
accustomed to the inside tricks Of the
game" said this afternoon that never in
oil their experience had they seen such
brutality as practiced by the sponsors OF
the last straw investigation,
WOMEN HAVE TO STAND
A few OF. the women summoned managed
Is obtain seats in the courtroom. but scores
OF others leaned against the walls for sup.
port while inside the courtroom numerous
Savorite heelers with nothing special to do
fsquatted about and Grinned as the wit
K nesses were put under fire.
Very few of the women called could tell
much about the names on the petitions.
They were grilled by Attorney Connor,
counsel for the Vare-Smiths, as to what
they knew about the petitions. whether the
names Of men on numerous petitions lived
at such addresses and so forth. 1t was
plainly evident that the women were SUI
poenaed in the hope that they would he
aNvn -ad and Ana txhu rala
tives were involved TO withdraw or re-
pudiate their signatures
From the general indignation of the
women present there is every indication
that this extreme measure adopted by the
Vare-Smith forces will act as a boomerang
Director Of Public Safety Wilson may be
arrested today because Of police !ntimida-
ton Of witnesses in the Town Meeting
party hearing, according 20 Edward l.. y.
Roach. secretary Of the Committee Of Sew
snty.
Warrants have been issued Cor he arrest
sf three policeman and evidence upon
which 70 arrest Director Wilson is being
solicited today by attorneys 1f The Town
Meeting party Mr.. Roach declared
Director Wilson ordered the policemen
from their regular duties Of protecting lives
and property Of citizens and sent them
scurrying through the city TO aarrass and
hound electors who signed nomina ton
papers Of the Town Meeting party" said
Mr.. Roach Director Wilson may be ar
rested today. Three policemen also may
be taken into custody Warrants FOR the
arrest Of the three patrolmen have been
issued.'
The Town Meeting party has officially
warned Mayor Smith to halt the use of
the city police for purposes Of ntimdating
Independent workers.
As the supreme commander" Of the DO
Ice force. the Mayor was accused Of de-
hberately threatening the entire city on
electon day with the brutal and mur-
derous" conditions that prevailed In the
-Bloody Fifth" Ward during the primary
Election and was reminded that a similar
warning preceded the Fifth Ward murder
and the consequent murdN' conspiracy
charges against him. The Town Meeting
party's warning was sent by Max Herzberg.
shAirman.
Victory for the Town Meeting Democrats
allies will mean Impeachment Of the Mayor
BY the fusion Councilmen. according to- an
announcement by Edgar W. Lank. chair
man Of the Democratic city committee
Charges Of police intimidation we're made
today by James A. Coutts Of i71S South
Fifty-eighth street, when hearing Of the
charges Of the Vare-Smith Republican or
ganization against the validity OF the in
dependents nomination papers, was re-
Dumed
SAY POLICE DEVILED WIFE
Elbowing his way through the biggest
erowd that has yet jammed the courtroom
Coutts walked to the bar of the court and
declarine he was witness. asked to be
Allowed to make a statement.
Il wish to inform the court" he said
I that have been coming here every day
IN answer 10 a subpoena and waited until
midnight last night TO be called / have
been prosecuted by the police In the same
manner that other witnesses have been
Last night when ! arrived home | found
three men there who attempted 70 devil
me as we'll as my wife because / had
signed the Town Meeting party petition"
"Xour statement is out OF order" Judge
Davis Informed him.
Perhaps so, your Honor Coutts replied
nut read a statement last night In which
tcu were quoted as saying that you would
hear any charges OF police intimidation"
These proceedings were not Instituted
fo look into police persecution" Judge Davis
Iaid. nut ] win be glad 10 listen 70 your
roupIalnt Al the time when you are sworn
a. q witness"
Co1ila then thanked the court and stepped
toIf |nIc The crowd ~ the courtroom. The
'|<'Atn( rrealtd quite stir. Coutts. who
I'I|'[aF11 man. 81 preposaessinE ap-
|||||I|& Ma Well dressed ard acted In a
|||N|'| |Nf oIIff> U4nner Hhleh COM
|.f'N '.'11'4IN attention.