Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-03
PERKINS AYERS
LEW SHANK NOT
LABOR'S FRIEND
Statement Made Public by
RalstOn Republicans
Printed Below.
MOVEMENT ATTACKED

Edgar A. Perkins, who was the oppo-
nent of Boyd N. Ralston for the Demo-
cratic nomination for mayor in the prt-
mary, issued a statement through the
Republican Movement for Ralston today
in which he accused Samuel Lewis Shank
Of not being a friend of labor. Charles
J. Lynn, chairman of the movement, gave
out the statement as follows:
"Mr Shank's attempt to pose as the
friend Of the laboring man will hardly
be borne out by the records Of the city
council of 1911 and 1912. In 1911 Shank
approved a six-year contract for garbage
collection at $4,000 a year. IN June 70,
1911, the Central Labor Union appointed
a committee to look after the workers
interest in the garbage contract
when the contract was sent to tina
city council for ratification an investlga-
ton was ordered. Largely through the
efforts Of this committee Of the Central
Labor Union it was shown that the con-
tract price was excessive. During the
hearings Shank appeared as witness
and violently advocated the approval OF
the contract which the Central Labor
Union was opposing. 1t was during one
Of these hearings that Shank gave vent
to a terrific and profane outbursE against
persons opposing the contract.
The Union, under date Sept. 2, 1911,
referring to the matter in an editorial
Our City's Disgrace said:
1--WE plead guilty to having investi-
gated many places Of art, refinement and
filth in many cities. but in all our expert
ence, we have lever been in a city or pub
lie place where the extreme of fifth or
speech, low morality, lack OF self re-
spect and objectionable profanity was ex-
celled or equal to that exhibited by
Mayor Shank in his TRADE against Carl
Bernhsrdt at the garbage investigation
held by the garbage committee Wednes-
day night, Aug. so, 1911. Garbage was
too clean a name for the billingsgate Of
our mayor. Samuel Lewis Shank has
ceased to be a joke; he has become 4 dis
grace TO the City Of Indianapolis. a
municipality Boosting of being no mean
city" Is entitled to a mayor who. II he
has no respect for himself, has enough
respect for the decent citizens to behave
himself somewhat like gentleman, even
If II hurts him and even If 1t is unlike
his usual conduct"
The contract was killed by vote OF a
bare majority In the council New bids
were asked and a contract at $4,000 a
year finally let, though Shank as mayor
had warned the council investigating
committee that If the first contract was
killed the next bids would be much high
or than S63 600 a year. The net result OF
this movement by the Central Labor
Union was a saving Of $4,000 to the tax
payers. Now, Mr. Shank, the candidate,
claims to be the friend of labor and
prom ses reduction Of taxes by economy.
The foregoing record Will hardly sub
stantiate either the claim or the promise"
Between 1000 and 5000 pledge cards
have been signed by those joining the
movement, It was announced by Mr..
Mills. These are being divided as to
precincts and viii he passed on TO work
ers who viii have charge Of seeing that
they get 10 the polls next Tuesday.
Pledge cards have begun to come to
headquarters in lunches Of ten to
twenty. Mr. Mills said He declared that
attacks upon the movement have proven
the most productive publicity 1t has re-
ceived.
The movement" has been made one
Of the chief issues Of the Republican
attack, every speaker in every meeting
going after II hammer and tongs. In
some cases the speakers have merely
read the list Of the original hackers, Of
fering them to the voters without com
ment Today the attack was begun
along a new line. Negro leaders sent
word down into the colored districts that
the committee Of 1907 had refused to
advertise in negro newspapers and were
branding II a lilly white" movement
Democrats have been claiming that they
are going t. make inroads into the Re-
publican hol upon the negro vote and
1t was understood Republican leaders
had in mind the blocking Of Ralston sen
timent IN this manner.