Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-27
MORE HONORS HEAPED UPON
HIS HONOR MAYOR SMITH
This Time, Though, He Cannot Attribute
Them as Coming From fractional Rivals
as in Frog Hollow Cases

lhem as Looming FROM racuohai Hi'"s
as in Frog Hollow Cases
MAYOR SMITH, like n other de-
A'A PENDANT charged with crime, however
despicable or heinous, is entitled to a
full hearing and free opportunity to oner
a defense. So with the latest Of the null
t~iplying criminal offenses presented
against him, in this instance by the Play.
grounds Association, it is only fair to
await the trial and ultimate verdict on
the evidence alleging misfeasanee and
misdemeanor in Office. by h arbitrary
and abusive methods through which he
landed. E. r. Gudehus in the job. of super
visor of recreation. 81. .. = =
But it is not amiss- to point out some
of the significant facts. relating to the
case as they have appeared publicly and
remain thus far unchallenged, although
widely reported in the news columns OF
the local press.
First of all, it is obvious that the facts
set forth in the affidavit for the warrant
haling the Mayor before Magistrate Car
son are based mainly upon statements
made by him to Rabbi B~erkowitz, Miss
Ross and other members of the Recrea-
ton Board during the time when he was
trying to coerce them into disobeying the
plain spirit of the civil service law, If
not its intent. Here it will be difficult
for His Honor to dodge or evade. 1t
will be his word against these highly
reputable persons, whose standing in the
community cannot be impugned by blus-
tering assertions of political persecu-
ton" for they do not represent partisan
factions even remotely.
These ousted members declare circum-
stantially that the Mayor brutally in
formed them of his purpose to ride rough-
shod over the civil service rules in de-
fance of law and the common decency
which ought to be expected of an official
directing the administration of a city as
great as Philadelphia. He would not
listen to reason or argument. He simply
had to find a job for Gudehus, and the
advice, opinion and experience of the
Recreation Board members were f1outed
with cynical disregard of any proprieties
save those of the p~ettiest gangster.
So the issue is not complex or difficult
to frame. Either the Mayor must deny
fatty the words which these accusing
members quote against him with such
minute detail, or admit that he said them.
If he denies-well, it will be up to the court
having proper jurisdiction to determine,
in due course. which side is telling the
truth. If he admits. then the only re-
course will be to attempt to escape re-
sponsibility on a technicality or legal
bubble, which is not at all beyond the
possibilities, although the average mar
approaching the dignity of the Mayors
Office would never consent to such a
method of answering serious charges
against his integrity and honor.
But, judging solely from the text of
the affidavit, the prosecution ought not
to be limited to the Mayor alone. 1t
is clearly alleged that the Mayor "did
~wrongfully and in abuse of his official
position and power induce, require and
compel William H. Kreider, secretary of
the Civil Service Commission" to alter
the advertising for applicants for the po-
sition in a way specially to favor GUIDE
hus. If there was any illegal connivance
in this commission, whose chief purpose
supposedly is to prevent political favorit-
ism, it is the duty of District Attorney
Rotan to take official cognizance and con-
duct an investigation that will expose
conditions to the core.
The public spirit of those active lead
ers in the Fairgrounds Association who
are back of the Mayors arrest is to be
commended. They deserve a vote of
thanks from the people for their courage
in attacking this outrageous action of a
Mayor whose course in Office has become
a shame and humiliation to every Phila-
~delphian VINO prizes the good repute Of
the city. Not this time, as in the Frog
Hollow stencil, can His Honor dismiss
his accusers with the cry that they are
inspired by malice born of factionalism.