Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-17
Poeit;ca ;n
Pe~~oqGSonio
By the Ex-Committeeman

James e. Roderick, of Luzerne
county, State chief of mines since
1893, is not inclined to resign his
place in the State government to
make a vacancy for the Governor to
fill, according to what is heard here
to-day. Some days ago it was report
ed that the Governor had asked the
veteran chief of mines to give way
to a younger man, but both the Gov
ernor's office and the chief declined
to give any information on the sub
1ect. Mr.. Roderick said he knew
nothing about the reports.
However. it is pretty we'll under
stood here that the Governor has
yielded to the opportunities of men
prominently connected with his ad-
ministration who have been after
Roderick for year or more. At the
time of the Speakership contest the
name of the LuZerne man was much
heard In the list of men who would
be displaced for political reasons,
but the Governor declined to order
him to resign. Since that time the
pressure on the Governor has been
pretty strong and last accounts are
that he asked Mr.. Roderick because
of the stress of work in the depart
ment during a period when the
mines are called upon to do their
utmost, to retire and allow a young
er man to be named. 1t Is under
stood that some of the coal trade
people, fearing a disturbance in
methods at time when the national
government was demanding the
maximum, made some protests which
are before the Governor now. In any
event Mr.. Roderick has not re-
signed.
Chief Roderick was named by Will
liam A. Stone, chief of the bureau
of mines in 1899, and when the bu-
reau was made a department four
years later, was advanced to be
chief.
While few figures are available
on the number of voters registered
on Saturday, the final registration
day in the cities of the State, 1t is
believed that it will be large and
that the totals, which should be
ready by tomorrow, will show a
huge army of men qualified to vote
at the primaries. Philadelphia seems
to have registered over q quarter of
n million men and Pittsburgh and
Scranton to have gone very large in
listing men.
The Democratic Philadelphia
Executive Director William z. Fin
ley, of the Republican City Commit
tee, last night estimated a registra-
ton of about 100000 for the three
days, and insisted that little interest
was manifested by Democrats and
reformers, while the Organization
division workers were busy and sue
ceeded in getting practically all the
regular Republican voters enrolled.
Z NJ
is sure to be an old-time Republican
victory both at the primaries and the
general election. He SCOTS at the
idea that many independents en-
rolled as Republicans in order to get
a crack at the $3.50 harmony slate"
The registration in Pittsburgh is
reported as much larger than two
years ago and is due to several
causes. Many of the churches have
been active in getting their members
registered End the independent ele-
ment appears to be taking more in
terest than usual in the election. Also,
Pittsburgh has grown greatly in the
last two years.
The Philadelphia Ledger says of
the Pittsburgh mayoralty battle:
The fight after the primaries will
be just as interesting as this one. If
Magee is defeated for nomination his
followers openly declare they will
support Babcock. If Kerr loses II is
just as certain that most of his
strength will go to Babcock. The
Democratic leaders are divided in
their support of mayoralty candi-
dates. William J. Bremen is support
ing Babcock and is a candidate for
council on that ticket. Brennen's
organization. and it is strong ore.
is working hard for Babcock. Joseph
+. Guffey, acting Democratic State
chairman, has declared for Kerr and
has taken the stump for him. He
will bring votes to Kerr. Charles A.
Pagan, George H. Stengel and lesser
Democratic lights are supporting
Magee."
Third class city registration was
heavy generally, notably so in Read
ing, York, Pottsville. Altoona,
Wilkes Barre and McKeesport.
speaking at Pottsville regarding
the row over inheritance tax places,
Auditor General Snyder said: YES,
the collectors of inheritance tax will
ment thinks it is necessary, and the
authority for so doing. If any one
wishes, may be questioned in the
proper form. Before a primary cleo
ton is not the time to discuss it,"
Attacked by acute indigestion
just after boarding a train for At
lantic City Saturday night, State
Senator James P. McNichol was re-
moved from the train at West Phila-
delphia and taken to the home.of his
son, William ]. McNichol, in Phila-
delphia. DR.. William Krusen was
summoned and for a time the Sem
ator's condition was regarded as quite
serious, but by last evening he had
rallied considerably and was resting
comforta bly,. Senator McNichol, who
is still occupying his seashore home,
was accompanied by two of his sons,
william ]. and Harry. when he col
lapsed on the train.
Senator T. L. Eyre says he Is
going to win the county controller
fight in Chester county. One of the
odd things is that the opponent of
the Eyre candidate is George Bald
win, nephew of the Senator.
-Pittsburgh's mayoralty cam
paign has gotten to the street corner
meeting stage.
-Johnstown will vote on a $775,-
900 debt proposition.