The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-07
ARREST OF MAYOR
STIRS PHILADELPHIA
Whole City Aroused Over
Threat Against Public
School System.
SMITH GUSTS A BOARD
Appointment of Political Fa-
vorite Causes New Fight
Over Fifth Ward Murder.

From sfor correspondent OF THh sus.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 5.--There's q man
here whom fate failed to conceal by
naming him Smith. He IL the Mayor Of
Philadelphia. Not only that. but he has
been arrested twice in the same year
which sets a record even in Philadelphia
politics. Last spring the Government
stepped in and virtually took the police
administration out OF his hands 80 that
the sailors at this great naval base might
be protected.
AT present the Mayor Is awaiting trial
on conspiracy and other charges develop
ing from the Fifth Ward murder"
which was the climax OF weird exhibi-
ton OF political rivalry last fall He Is
also under bond pending Grand Jury
consideration OF the new accusation
which caused his arrest last Monday.
Philadelphia quaint serial goes on
and on. with a punch at the end OF every
chapter and promise OF upheaval in the
next. Meanwhile Smith remarks that
he's being prosecuted again. goes about
his work quite serenely, continues TO sign
papers as Mayor and appears to believe
that the wicked and conniving enemies
bent on his ruin will presently be con-
founded and he will be fully revealed as
the great and good. honest and patient.
sadly maligned public servant
The charge on which Mayor Smith was
arrested on Monday Is that he illegally
forced the appointment to city office Of
an incompetent man TO whom the Mayor
was grateful because he had befriended
him personally and the brothers Ware.
the contractor politicians to whom
Thomas p. Smith owes his political be-
ing. II Is charged that in order to put
this man into a $4,000 Job the Mayor
violated the civil service laws. fred from
ONCE citizens who would not do his bid
ding and replaced them with persons who
would and did.
Essential facts have not been denied
by the Mayor. although he says no law
or rule was broken and no injustice
done. On Wednesday he was held for
court by a Magistrate on q bond OF
$4,000. Held for court" in Pennsylvania
means the same as held to await action
by the Grand Jury in New York. Before
this case comes TO trial, II II ever does,
the Mayor must stand trial on the Fifth
Ward indictments. That trial probably
will be called late this month or early
in November.
The office holder in whose behalf the
Mayor acted 40 zealously that he has
got into trouble with the law for the
second time is Edward K. Gudehus. SUI
pervisor OF Fairgrounds.
"sunshine" for q Reporter.
Gudehus was for year a Philadel-
phia newspaper reporter. During the
uproar over the Fifth Ward murder he
wrote articles favorable TO the Mayor
and to the Wares. He lives in Merchant
willie, y. j., but has a Philadelphia
voting residence. Last year he became
private secretary to Edwin II. Ware, who
is a state Senator and is oftener men,
toned in relation to politics than his
brother. Representative William Ware.
I; was understood in City Hall that
at the appropriate time the Mayor
would do something" for Gudehus in
appreciation for his fidelity TO the
Mayor and the Ware political outfit. But
il appeared that the direct appointment
OF Senator Wares secretary to city once
would look too suggestive even for
Philadelphia. Last spring Gudehus re-
signed his secretaryshlp: he told his
friends he was going to get little sun
shine and fresh air" Such desirable
refreshmAnt is afforded by the post
OF Supervising Principal of City Play
grounds. This post was made available
for a new man by the resignation OF
!. Leonard Mason. who had found n
better one as cation manager for
the Sun Shipbuilding Company. The
new man must be chosen by competitive
examination.
On June Mayor Smiths Civil Service
Commissioner advertised that an ex-
animation would be held. This adver-
tisement contained the usual stipula-
ton that applicants must have had
some experience in supervising recrea-
tional activities land have had RESPONSE
BILE contact with such work" But on
June -. a week later, the notice was
withdrawn and another substituted, with
the qualification of previous experience
omitted.
It is charged in the affldavit on which
the warrant for Mayor Smiths arrest
was obtained that with the intention OF
bringing about the appointment Of Guide
hus. ian incompetent and unfit person."
az a reward for services rendered the
Mayor personally, the Mayor him
self compelled the secretary Of the Civil
Service Commission to cancel TIE first
advertisement and issue the second one.
hoard Declines TO Resign.
A majority OF the recreation board as
then constituted did not want Gudehus.
The chairman. Ernest l.. Tustin the sec
rotary Sophia l.. Ross and another
member. the Rev. DR.. Henry Berkowitz.
noted Jewish scholar and philanthropist,
protested personally to the Mayor They
say he replied that he had caused the
advertisement 10 be changed because he
wanted Gudehus to get the Job of play
ground supervisor and knew that the
candidate was inexperienced. They then
told the Mayor. the affidavit says, that
even IL Gudehus passed the examination
they could not make him supervisor be-
cause IL would be Injurious to the pub
lie interest. harmful 10 the work OF said
board and n detriment TO the educational
system" of Philadelphia.
The Mayor then threatened, It is
charged. that II they did not appoint
Gudehus he would remove them and ap-
point In their places persons who would
give Gudehus the job.
Eight persons took the examination.
six OF whom had had experience In
recreation work, But the Civil Service
Commission certified only one as having
His mark was Il, which Is only one
point above the passing mark OF 20.
Tho commission solemnly affirmed that
all the other candidates had fallen be-
low 70. The Mayor. according TO the
affidavit. then repeated his demand that
Gudehus be appointed. Again a ma
jority of the Board OF Recreation re-
fused. and again the Mayor told them TO
comply, saying. II Is alleged, that he
had promised to put Gudehus on the CITY
payroll as a reward for personal service
This time the Recreation Board had
a new weapon OF defence. They told the