The sun., 1917-09-30

- caldron Of factional politics.
= now is facing one OF the most
scandaious. and astounding upheavals
In her history as the result of the
murder of police detective in the
Bloody Fifth" ward on primary elec-
ton dAy, September 10.
Mayor Thomas b. Smith. Police
Lieutenant David Bennett and Isaac
Deutsch. leader whom Mayor Smith
supported for election to Se.ect Coun-
: CTS in the Fifth ward. are awaiting a
hearing before the Criminal Division
Of the Municipa! Court on charge Of
conspiracy to murder, and have signed
bail bonds Of $4,000 to insure their
appearance In the Municipal Court
Tuesday. October 2.
Six gunmen imported from New
York city, 1t is charged, as tools in a
gigantic plot to spread bloodshed and
riot in the ward, to intimidate voters,
70 vote illegally and thereby to swing
the election for Deutsch. have thus
far been taken into custody. One of
these was captured at the scene of the
crime with a companion, who brutally
beat and perhaps fatally injured
James A. Carey. who for a decade and
more had been the recognized politi-
cal leader Of the ward.
The net is out for some twenty-five
other gunmen who were imported
from New York and Newark. for the
thug leaders there who marshal.ed
them and sent them to Philadelphia.
for the Philadelphians who made the
deal to bring them to the city, and
finally for politicians and police Of
hcials who. 1t 10 said. connived to pro-
tect them from arrest during their
stay and who even aided them in es-
Gaping from the city after the crime.
Somebody told us that hell had
broken loose an everything was of.
90 We beat 1t back to New York." said
one Of the gunmen captured in New
York.
The gunman aptly described condi.
tons in Philadelphia not only i'm
nsdiately following the murder but
stnce then in daily increasing volume.
Rsblic Thoroughly Aroused.
Public demand has been made for
The resignation Of the Mayor or his
impeachment, for the dismissal Of Di-
rector William b. Wilson of the, De-
partment Of Public Safety, who has
charge of the police bureau, and for
. complete shakeup in the Police De-
partment Of officials large and small.
Political leaders, confronted with the
most extraordinary situation in the
- H.
swift to make capital out Of the affair
and complete 'anti-gang" ticket has
been placed in the field for the elective
offices to be filled by the people in
November. A cry has gone forth that
While one political faction of the domi
nant Republican party is thirsting for
vengeance against the other, the citi-
zens. impartial in judgment. shall put
an end to corrupt politics in the city
forever by wiping out the whole
organization and bringing in new
era OF honest elections and non -politi-
cal administration of the third greatest
city in the United States.
Out OF the clamor and the chaos
There arises one all important fact.
The plot which ended with the detec-
tive's murder will be uncovered COM
pletely, and without hope of partiality
or pull those who are implicated will
be made to suffer the full penalty for
their part ip the conspiracy. There
seems no doubt that the investigating
ofhcials and detectives privately en-
ployed will be able to fasten proof OF
direct completely In the plot that led
Gp to the murder upon at least half
dozen individuals. They may even
spread the net. not for six. but for a
dozen and more who are liable to con-
riction OF first degree murder under
the laws OF Pennsylvania.
The political storm which Is sweep
ing the city probably will be settled
once and for all at the polls in Novcm-
Der. The prosecution and conviction
Of the murder consprators will stretch