Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-11
SprOuL Can Direct
Registry, Says M'Cain

Continued From Page One
week when the pressure for Woodruff
and Gable became so strong that the
Governor decided to drop him. 1t is
not unlikely that Mr.. Hicks will be
taken care of in some other way at
the proper time.
An impartial view of the composition
of the board suggests that it will act
with fairness consistent with partisan
lines: and yet whatever difference there
may be will be in favor of the indcpend- e.
ent element of the Republican party.
Mr.. Fell by affilatiou and environment
would naturally have leaning toward
the Republican Alliance but whether
this will be strong enough to influence
him in delicate situations is matter
for the future to decide.
Campaign in Full Swing
With the vcxed question of the
Registration Board settled the munich
pal campaign will now go full' speed
ahead. The action of the independent
Republicans, 'who merit the title of the
'Allies.' in deciding to abandon the
delegate convention scheme for nomina
tion of candidates will meet with gen.
eral commcndation among the simon
pure reformers. Camoufagc as they
might, the proposed meeting was moth e.
ing more than Il revival of the despiscd
county delegate convention which the
independents fought and licked years
ago. "A committee of one hundred"
sounds more like business.
Chairman George W. Coles, of the
Town Meeting party, gave another cx
hibition of his political common sense
when he cast aside the crown at yes
terday's conference of the representa-
tives of the anti-Vare allies. 1t was
suggested when a committee of one hun
dred was proposed to take charge of the
campaign that Chairman Coles be dele
gated to appoint the committee. He re-
spectfully declined. He insisted that
representatives of all the allies get to-
gether and do the work. Had he ac-
ccDted it would have laid him open to
the charge Of dominating the situation.
Besides, it isn't one mans job by any
means.
The committee of one hundred will
represent every section of Philadelphia.
The best men in the independent ranks
are to be chosen. And in this con-
nection delicate question may arise
which will involve designations or de-
clinations to serve. They will come
from the gentlemen who desire to be
candidates for the short council, and
who would consequently not care to
serve on the one hundred. For this COM
mite will name the candidates to be
voted for at the primaries.
The Ware organization on the surface
was quicker on the trigger than the In
dependent Allies in their appeal to the
returned soldiers vote. The work of
canvassing the city is already under
way: at least will start the beginning
of the coming week. Every returned
soldier will receive personal attention
from the canvassers and the division
leaders. There doubtless will be ral-
lies, reunions, dinners, and all sorts of
division diversions for the returned
heroes. who also will be the object of
campaign solicitude from both sides.
Day of States Declared Past
One of the most significant things
Senator Penrose has uttered recently
was a remark that he dropped to a
friend during his brief visit to Philadel-
phia on Monday last. 1t was in con-
nection with the nomination of an in
dependent Mayoralty candidate during
which the visitor spoke about possible
"slate.'
..The day of states is past" remarked
the senator. ''They have gone with
ne obsolete political methods. Any
men nowadays can announce himself as
a candidate and go before the people.
He must make himself known, get ac-
auainted with the workers and address
meetings wherever he can to define his
position. The candidate who depends
on being slated these days without
working for his nomination has small
hope of success" Then he cited the
cast of Judge Kephart, who canvassed
the state without much encouragement
at first, until finally he forced recogni-
ton of his claims and won out hand
somely.
But slate or no slate, no candidates
will be named by either party until the
last minute. Everybody who desires
to be candidate for any position what
ever will have his opportunity to get
into the running. BY staving off pre-
mature announcements of a choice it
will preserve the candidates from at
tack just that much longer. And it is
an act of charity almost to do this, be-
cause this will be the banner campaign
for bitterness. vindictive attack and,
one might safely say, brutality. IL
will he ealnFligu long memorable IN
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