Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-30
Mayor BIan,es Riots
at Chester on Politics
Continued from Page One
.ITICAL PLOT

Continued from Page One
mitted the women to ball. at the instance of
the assis strict attorney"
a POLITICAL PLOT
The May~ eclares the tales were twisted
by political opponents to discredt his ad-
ministration and to weaken the organization
here.
at Is these people who thus melted the
whites to riot by telling such stories that
are responsible for the killing Of five peo-
pie"
The police docket confirms the Mayors
statement on the disposition of the two
cases.
The Mayor defended his action in allow
ing saloons to open today by stating that he
believed that the town has returned to al
most its normal condition, and that keeping
the saloons closed would make the people
here believe that an abnormal condition
still existed.
This town was insane" he said. but I
believe that the people have returned to
their senses and there will be more
trouble. If trouble does develop, the saloons
will be Immediately closed"
When the saloons were opened this morn.
ing the proprietors were notified that they
would have to close at $3.50 tonight.
SALOONS ARE OPENED
The saloons opened at o'clock this
morning but in none was there any evi.
dence of crowd. In explaining the re-
opening order, it as declared that II is ad-
visable at this time to have saloons and
other places open they would be In nor
NAL times. In other words. the reopening
of the saloons would mean all fear of trou-
BILE Is past. officials meanwhile hope for
the best
The funeral Of James McCann. the
guardsman, who was killed last Thursday.
will be held today. Services will be held
(NAtl, l,olt, hNtt~N
No trouble is anticipated at the funeraIt
A bitter political fight between rival fac
tions in Chester here has played an import
ant part i'm the recent race riots, according
to the opinions expressed by many resi-
dents today
Not only has 1t been charged repeatedly
that politicians were using negroes for
political purposes and protecting them when
they were sought by the police, but storm
of protest has been aroused by the holding
of the three white guards charged with
murder while two negro guards. found
armed with shotguns after the night OF
Saturday night have been released on
their own recognizance
There is every indication OF an open
break between the factions today.
Intensely aroused, several influential cit-
zens stated openly that liquor organizations
were responsible for the reopening order
which was termed an outrage.
d. c. Hendricks a retired merchant or
Chester and foe of the liquor crowd, issued
a statement charging gang politicians"
with being responsible for the whole trou-
BILE. owing to protection, he said, gun
toting" negroes believe that they can COM
init any crime short Of murder In Chester
and get away with 1t, he explained.
Mayor Mcdowell replied to the Hendricks
charges and criticized him for lack of judg-
ment.
1t was agreed that the situation today
is far from promising. 1t Is considered
likely that the trouble will be renewed at
any time.
A hot verbal battle between Sheriff Hey
burn and District Attorney Hannum at
least, is expected today as the result OF the
arrest Of the three guards charged with
murder,
They are Newman Stockdale, George w.
Ellis and Fred Orfed. white guards, Of
Eddystone, who have been lodged in the
Media Jail since David Schwartz, a white
chauffeur for the police. and James Riley,
negro guard at Fry's hotel, were killed in
tho battle on Saturday night.
The Sheriff is standing squarely by the
men under arrest and will appear today be-
fore Judge johnson and demand their re-
lease on habeas corpus proceedings.
Sheriff Hepburn also is credited with
having prevented virtually strike among
the other guards, who considered quitting
when they learned that three of their num-
ber had been arrested.