Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-11
"COmrade" Vare Bait
in Mayors Fight

Continued From PAGE One
They will endeavor to take this rem
nant into camp just as they did the
Washington party. Thomas Robins. a
former Progressive and candidate for
Congress. has been designated as the
,ellwether to lead them. F., g&&'Efg
Police Barred In Politics
Under the new charter policemen and
fremen are prohibited from exercising
their past prerogative of mixing up in
municipal politics. The penalty is sufi
ciently heavy to deter even the hottest
partisan. or the most abject slave of
the organization lamp, from risking his
job and his liberty by taking an active
part in the political game.
There is nothing, however. in the
charter or in the law that would pre-
vent census of discharged soldiers be-
ing made. What is there to prevent the
policemen and firemen of the city from
performing this work? Inquiries might
develop tpat this has already been
quietly done Such a census would be
invaluable to the faction shrewd enough
to secure such a record
It has already been noted in this col .
umn that the name of Colonel George
f. Kemp. commander of the 10th Reg
iment, had been undersigned as likely
to be approached by the regular organi-
zation. He returned last week from
France with record for bravery and
efficiency. Out over the state in North
umberland. Fayettc, Cumberland, York
and many other counties soldier candi-
dates are already in the field. In Phil
adelphia there are none.
The trail Of the Brumbaugh admin
istration sooner or later will be uncov-
cred in the campaign. 4 vigorous at
tempt is being made in some shape or
form to inject the scuttling of the North
Penn Bank as an issue in the fight II
may come in the way of hints aud in
nuendoes rather than open charges.
That is, so far as nny local applica-
tion is concerned. | mention this as a
belief that is uppcrmost in the minds of
some very practical politicians.
traction Issue to Figure
The traction issue will also be dragged
in by the heels.
Judge Patterson's letter of accent =
ance, his friends intimate. will be- n
thing of beauty and a joy forever, The
new charter will be indorsed. Repre-
sentative John r. X SCOTS per
fervid Endorsement Of it in the House
at Harrisburg will serve as a precedent
for the judge. Congressman Moore has
already accepted the charter as his no =.
litical New Testament. He stands
square y upon it. With Judge Pattcr
son doing the same. the alluring spec :
tacle will be presented of the two lead E.
ing figures fighting from the same plank,
but not from the same platform.
Under these circumstances the ovor.
age citizen may ask, why all the hoo &.
rah and o-ray, all the bitterness and
spleen, that were displayed in the
charter fight by the regular organiza
ton leaders? That is if the charter
was such good thing?
There is one feature for which all de =
cent citizens will be devoutly thankful
Each candidate for the mayoralty has
agreed to avoid personalities. That is be .
tween themselves. The after YOU, AL
fonse," attitude they have assumed as
sures campaign reasonably free from
personal attack on the part of the men
who are aspirants for the most digni.
fed Office at the hands of the people.
But beyond this all is chaos.
Councilmanic Outlook
The councilmanic outlook as far as
candidates are concerned now that tn,
searchlight is turned on full flare, it is
conceded, is forlorn in the extreme. o.
the seventy odd names already sub
mitted to the people not more than hal
dozen represent anything but medioc
rty and personal ambition. In tn,
language Of the paddock and bettin,
ring Its a great bunch"
One scans the list of each faction TO,
representative men, citizens who ar
ready to sacrifice time and position, fo
names that are representative of some
thing beside ward politics. A $500t
salary rather than the future of a grea
city Is the standard, 1t would seem
upon which the vast majority of then
must be judged.