Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-23
Poeit;c4 IL
Pe~~oqeSa~ia
By the Ex-Committecman

The fact that Ex-Congressman A.
Mitchell Palmer, the titular boss Of
the Democratic State machine, has
taken the center of the Democratic
stage, is regarded as being rather sig
niicant and some of the lesser bosses
are looking for a boom to be started
Tor him for the next nomination for
Governor, SO as to keep other aspiring
Democrats out. 1t will be recalled
that just about three years ago Palmer
was very much to the front as the pos
sible Democratic nominee and that
while there was talk of others he was
kept so much in the limelight that it
dampened enthusiasm of some of the
men who had been longing for tie
chance to display their strength. Then,
suddenly, President Wilson prevailed
upon Vance G. Mccormick to be a can
didate, and he emerged from the shad-
ows as the Presidents own, Palmer
taking up the sacrificial role of candi-
date for United States Senator and in
augurat1ng the famous siege of Pen
rose" which was raised by the voters
OF the state in rather startling way.
1t commences to look as though Pal
mer was going to be stalking horse
again.
In some remarks made at Atlantic
City last evening Palmer declares that
Penrose has the goods on Brum-
through with real investigation be-
cause he might get caught himself.
Therefore, argues Palmer, the investi-
cation ought to be given to the Demo-
Gratis to put over" In addition to
this piece of advertising Palmer pro-
ceeded to stand from under the
blame for the increase in the cost of
living by saying that the Democrats
nor anyone else could remedy condi-
tions by legislation. It is part of the
price this country is paying to Europe
because of the war and that if this
country gets into it the cost will be
greater, he said.
-Reverting to the conditions in this
State the Democratic national commit
teeman INDUCED in this wall: I'VE told
the people all about it in 1914 and
they would not take our word for it.
Now it looks as if it was going to be
proved to them. 1t is time there was
a shakedown in Pennsylvania. 1t has
been a long time coming, but / think
it is on the way now. Mark my word,
the whole State will be seething next
year. l wouldn't be surprised If an
overwhelming demand for new man
at the head and a new deal all through
came near blotting out party lines"
The Philadelphia Public Ledger,
in an extended article to-day, says
that the factions of the Republican
party are moving for peace and that
much will be arranged at a conference
to be held at Philadelphia tomorrow.
None of the other Philadelphia news
papers discussed the report, which has
been going the rounds for a week. The
Ledger says that 1t is planned to agree
on a legislative program and to give
the Penrose people recognition in fill
ing vacant State places. Discussing
the matter the Ledger says further:
''In short, it was the general feeling
that unless Senator Penrose swings the
mightiest kind of club over the Legis-
lature, and 1t was not thought that he
would, his comprehensive plan for an
investigation of all public officers of
Pennsylvania, and especially of the
Brumbaugh administration, would run
ahead on into a blind alley. At the
present moment 1t is the almost unan-
imous belief of Penrose and Ware lead
ers that the original investigation pro-
gram in all respects is dead beyond re-
call. 1t is anticipated on all sides that
the Governor will veto the Sproul res
olution and things have come to such
a pass that some of the Penrose lead
ers would be disappointed if the Gov
ernor should sign the resolution. They
would then regard the Governor as
even a greater enemy of the Repub-
lican party than they had previously
and boldly declared him to be. On the
other hand, Representative Stern, one
of the Penrose floor leaders, said last
night he had heard of no change in
the program, no matter what the Gov
ernor did
The Philadelphia Press to-day ed
itorially attacks the plan for taxing
natural resources proposed by some of
the legislators. The Press says: There
is no need of a tax on natural prod
ucts. 1t is of more than doubtful con-
stitutionality. If good legally it would
be bad practically and economically, as
it would place disadvantageous han
dicap on the natural products of this
State in whatever market they reach"
The publicity bureau of the State
Suffrage Association has issued
statement in which loyal support is
pledged by the members in whatever
emergency may arise.
1T is probable that some steps will
be taken in a few days to get the
State Highway Department into closer
touch with legislators. The feeling