Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-09

he declared the issue and flung his de-
fiant at is Moore or Vare," threw
the Ware organization into a whirl of
excitement such as it has not known
since the charter fight at Harrisburg
began.
There were hurried consultations,
quick decision and rapid fire action.
David Fl. Lane forgot the little ailments
incident to his eighty years, and hur-
ried up from Atlantic, City. He met
State Senator David Martin and fol-
lowing q telephone message to Judge
Patterson at City Hall, this pair of
political past masters called upon the
Judge. They invited him to become the
Republican organization standard bear
er in the contest for Mayor.
The Judge Was Coy
The Judge was affable but coy. He
must have time to consider the matter.
He appreciated the high honor con-
ferred, ETC., etc. He would give an an
swer in a few days.
Meantime. as showing how carefully
plans had been worked out, Thomas
Robins. former Roosevelt Progressive.
wrote to Judge Patterson inviting him
to become candidate. The name of
Roosevelt WAS conjured with very deft-
ly. 1t was the first showing Of prac-
tical attempt to capture the soldier vote.
A committee of a thousand men and
women to organize the city in the in :
terest of the Judge was proposed in Mr..
Robinss communication.
But should Judge Patterson decline to
run, what then2
In the first place he is not going to
decline. In the event Of something
unforeseen arising, however, then the
choice would fall upon City Solicitor
John p. Connolly. Under present con
ditions. however, the city solicitor does
not have very brilliant outlook for
an opportunity to accept.
The manner in which Congressman
Moore voiced his opposition to the
Wares was as much of surprise to the
Independents as it was to the ware
leaders His formal announcement, as 1t
subsequently proved, was merely fan
fare of trumpets announcing the ap
Ol lHt Etul lining. hC lNui
thing was his vitriolic interview which
reached the EVENING PUBLIC LEDGER
in time for it's early edition.
1t was just as if the gentleman from
the Third district had made some desul-
tory remarks, halted to take deep
breath and then thundered out jere-
miad His declaration against contrac-
for bosses was a cyclonic aftermath to
the declaration of his candidacy.
Lane Creates Sensation
On the Ware organization side, the
sensation of the day was furnished by
David III. Lane. His caustic comments
on Moore's candidacy were capped by
an expression which will become his
toric in local politics. When asked il
an aroused public sentiment might not
further the cause of Mr.. Moore the
octogenarian leader exclaimed with u
sneer:
Public sentiment? Bah
Dave Lanes words will become as
famous in their way as the Public be
damned" of Vanderbilt. The contempt
uous words | imagine will figure largely
|
during the campaign. They will react.
! No campaign ever started in phila =
delphia in which both sides seemed to
be so cocksure of the outcome. Both
factions are serenely confident. Ware
leaders profess themselves to be de
lighted. The Independents declare that
the anti-Yare .attitude of Mr.. Moore
means an overwhelming victory. Both
are desperately in earnest and con
WINGED of the truth of their assertions.
1t was the busiest day around his of
flee, Senator Ware declared, that he had
known for weeks. He expressed perfect
satisfaction with the outlook. AS for
the Town Meeting people, it is not cx
aggerating to say that they were ra =
diant. Congressman Moore had gone
further in his denunciation of the Ware
organization and contractor politics than
the most sanguine had imagined
? =?
The great big Interrogation point in
the development of the day was to be
placed after the query,
What attitude will Councilman
Seger and Clerk of Select Council
| Charles b. Hall, of the Seventh ward
assume toward Moore's candidacy
Mr.. Seger has already pledged himself
to the Penrose alliance, provided {
practical man be named. Will h,
and his co-leader, Mr.. Hall. regart
Congressman Moore as sufficiently prac
tical to claim their support? If Cit,
Solicitor Connolly were named as tn,
Ware organization candidate l beliey,
the two leaders would toss their cap.
in the air.
The campaign which yesterday en-,
tered its preliminary stage so suddenl,
and clamorously, will not attain a rea
fighting pitch for a week or ten days
The intervening time will be spent il
organization, preparing literature, ar;
ranging for mass meetings, and, gen.
orally speaking, in setting the stage apt
oiling up the ballyhoo.
Then, too, there is the work of Sc
lecting men for the minor Offices an,
for the major Office of councimen. Th,
latter will prove to be a most danger