Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-29
PREDICT VICTORY
FORNDEPENDENTS
Sentiment Aroused by Fifth
Ward Murder Can Be
Made Into Votes
MANY CONFERENCES HELD

Reused to action by the great mass
meeting in the Academy Of Music PhiIa-
uelphias independents see the light of VIC
tory ahead for a new party
According to consensus of opinion ex-
pressed the time now is ripe for a general
defeat Of the Organization. The oppor-
tunity Is one which should not be over
looked
Such was the suggestion of Thomas f.
Armstrong, chairman of tine town meeting
Charles p. Donnelly leader of the Demo-
cratic city committee; George y. Porter,
former Director OF Public Safety, Judge
Bonniwell and others.
The Board Of Trade is the only civic or
ganization that has yet shown signs Of taxi
ing a stand in the Fifth Ward outrage
William r, Tucker, the secretary, said
he was not authorized to speak for that
organization. but he knew that the senti-
ment Of the Board OF Trade was opposed
TO such demonstrations as attended the re-
cent primary election. He said:
AS an organization the Philadelphia
Board of Trade has never taken a part
In politics, as its membership covers all
shades Of political views, but / am salts
fled that no matter what the political
alignment Of its members they would be
found opposing methods that have char
acterized the recent strife between the
political factions"
Many of those who discussed the possi-
blities, notably Mr.. Donnelly did not care
TO rush into print" but they saw a splen-
did chance to turn the sentiment at the
mass-meetng into an overwhelming ma
jority of votes in the November election.
All that Is wanted, and 1t was asserted that
will soon be forthcoming, is the leadership
that can seize the situation, bring together
the various threads Of public interest and
elect a city county and councilmanic ticket
which will represent all that is opposed to
the Smith-Vare combination
Mr. Donnelly and his friends in the DEM
ocratic city Committee. through the regular I
committee on organization, are ready to
discuss fusion with the town meeting COM
mictee just as soon as 1t is organized. Sem
ator Penroses friends frankly said that IL
he is wise" he will divert whatever in1u-
ence he may have in Philadelphia to the
suddenly awakened Independent movement.
In the Judgment of many Of his allies, It
would be strange If the senior United States
Senator failed to appreciate the significance
OF the revolt in this city and its effect on
the gubernatorial fight of next year.
Independent leaders, however, such as Mr..
Armstrong and Judge Bonnwell held that
all support for the independent ticket
coming from whatever source, must be ac-
corded without cCnditions"-that is, that
support from Penrose, for instance does not
mean that he can control the candidates.
When Judge Bonniwell. who started the
movement for the town meeting was asked
if he supposed Senators Penrose and Nc
Nichol would break away from the so-called
harmony slate" of the Ware organic ltion,
he replied:
I would answer that question in this
way there Is not scintilla of doubt
but that the Ware ticket will be de-
candidates will be elected,
One OF the signs that showed the |
trend of local politics was the flood |
Of pledges Of support which poured in upon |
the managers of the new movement. An |
other was the prompt action of Mr.. Arm |
strong, Cyrus D. Foss, Jr., and George d. |
Porter who conferred throughout the day. |
Plans for the formation of an independent |
ticket rapidly advanced.
Mr. Armstrong spent the day calling upon
leading independents with a view to form |
ing work tble executive committee which
will control the nominations OF the new
party. 1t was asserted by those in touch
with the situation that the membership of
this committee, about seven or eight will
surprise the opposition by it's Importance
and appeal to the people. II is probable that
the names of the members of the executive
will be announced next Monday
Meanwhile a score of men are being con-
sidered.
District Attorney Rotan has signified to
the Republican City Committee that he in
tends TO remain on the Republican ticket,
It has been suggested by some OF the lead
ers of the independent movement that he
withdraw from the Vare-Smith ticket and
head the ticket the independents will place
IN tho field.
Mr.. Rotan might however, place his
D. X. on the plans for an immense banner
that will be hung in front OF the City Com
nttee headquarters, Eleventh and Chest
nut streets, early next week. Rotan's pic
lure and name will be more prominently
displayed than that Of any other candidate
1t Is probable that Rotan will be asked
% accept the Independent nomination. In
addition to the Republican.