Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-14
BOTH SIDES FIGHT
COLES COMMITTEE
Penrose and Ware Men Disap-
prove Formation Of New Body
to Boost Harding
SEEN AS SLAP AT SENATOR

The proposed formation of a Hard
ing Coolidge citizens campaign com
mittee by George W.. Coles, former
chairman Of the Town Meeting party,
and number Of prominent business
men has caused all sorts of speculation
in political circles.
Some politicians of both Ware and
Pcnrose camps are decidedly lukcwarm
regarding the proposed committee and
contend that it's an unnecessary move
ment. They say the Republican city
committed. the state committee and the
Union League campaign committee can
arouse abundant enthusiasm for the
ticket, and the launching Of another
movement would serve to complicate
matters.
Although Mr.. Coles announced that
the proposed citizens campaign COM
mittec would be nonfactional, some poll
ticians are inclined to think otherwise.
Ware supporters assert that Coles Is
forming the committee for the purpose
of minimizing the effect of the city
committee in the coming campaign. On
the other hand. some of the Penrose
| supporters declare Coles's action is a
slap at Senator Penrose.
McCaughn an Accuser
Among those who accused Mr.: Coles
of working against Senator Penrose
was Blakely D. McCaughn, Republican
| Alliance leader, of the Twenty fourth
ward. He declared Coles worked openly
for the Ware interests at the last spring
primary.
When questioned today concerning
the assertions made by Mr.. McCaughn
regarding Coles's attitude toward the
Wares, Senator Ware said:
II have no interest in matter OF
George Coles. as he and I have always
been on opposite sides. I read of the
statement made by Blakely d. Nc
Caughn and think it is very unfair.
think the truth should be told.
| "At the spring primaries, in thu
Twenty fourth ward. the Independents
who have Eeen working with the Re
publican Alliance forces. asked fol
places on the ticket. Although the!
had helped to elect a Republican AL
lance ticket. Mr.. McCaughn turned OF
these men and said, The Mayor is elect
ed now and you don't amount to any
thing.
Senator Ware then added: "The onl!
thing left for the Independents to d.
then was to try and get help for thei
legislative candidates from the othc
side. So they sought aid from our Il rces
and incidentally they came within 81!
votes of winning
Says Penrose "NIilks" Public
In commenting on the formation o
the Harding Coolidge campaign com
mittee by Mr.. Coles. Senator Var
branded it as a "Penrose attempt t
milk the public -,
."The late Senator McNichol,' h
added, FUSED to complain of this sam
thing for twenty five years. He sci
he was tired o; these methods of milk
ing the public here and the money be
ing used elsewhere. On two or thre
occasions, Senator McNichol threatene
to break with Penrose on account G
these methods.
Meanwhile Mr.. Coles is going righ
along with the work of forming hi
"ctizens' campaign committee an
will hold n conference in his office /
the Land Title Building on Tuesday.
Mr.. Coles contends that the forma
ton of such a committee is necessit
in view of the general apathy: and tina
some action is needed to stir up tn
voters. Furthermore, Mr.. Coles assert
that formation of the proposed commit
tee has the approval of Senator, Pen
rose and Will II. Hays, chairman {
, the national Republican committee.