The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-15
INNOVATIONS MAY
 BE INTRODUCED BY. ECCENTRIC MAYOR
0IeS of Youngstown Makes Political History by De- feating Republicans
 and Democrats
By AssocIated Press

Youngstown, O., January 4.- George l.. Oles. Youngstown'a spec tacular mayor elect, arrived home re- gently from a vacation in Florida ready, he said, to clean up the city and fire anyone who doesn't obey orders" when he takes office neN; Sunday.
 Oles made politioai history here by running as an independent candidate. defeating the republican incumbent by over 300 votes and the democratic candidate by over 5.009 The city auditor received q request from Oles in Florida asking for thorough invoice" of the city just as if l were going to buy it..
 "I want to know how much money the city of Youngstown owes." he wrote, whom they owe 1t 10 and when it is due. I want to know who owes the city of Youngstown I want to know where the money Is coming from to pay the bills. l want to know what stocks we have ou hand, such as horse feed and sup plies, gasoline In the tanks, station cry and ink and lead pencils, also the amount of coal---and do not forget 10 state the amount of cash in the bank"
 shortly after the balloting, Mayor Fred J. Warnock, defeated for re- election, issued a 2,000-word state ment. citing court decisions. in an eff fort to show that Oles' promise 10 give his salary to charity constituted a bribe to the poor. and therefore disqualified him. Petitions to the courts were prepared. but were dropped. and no contest now is in sight.
 oles went into the produce busi ness in New Castle. Pa, 20 years ago with wheelbarrow and a barrel Of potatoes as his sole stock in trade, After he had built up a flourishing business there in five years time he sold it to start market in Youngs- town, to be run on what he called psychological principle. Oles began presenting eccentric newspaper ad- Xertising, based, he rays. on Billy Sundays evangelistic tactics. which he had seen In New Castle. Slam bang statements about women's styles his competitors. local politics and current topics soon won him a reputat tion.
 Started ns Joke
 During the mayoralty campaign Oles announced in his "ad' one day that he was going to run for mayor.
 "I just started it for a joke" he said later. But people took 1t se- riously and pretty soon I took it se- riously. too"
 At length oles moved into q Youngstown hotel from his country home, to establish legal residence. and began to give Youngstown it's most spectacular political campaign. There was no organization by pre- cincts and wards but he and his wife held meetings all over the city meetings for women only, at which Mrs. Oles told what a fine husband and father MT. Oles is, and meetings for men at which Mir. Oles rushed on the platform with arms in air. shout ing; Here I ann Vote for Oles!" Few persons professed to believe that Oies had a chance until the re- turns began to come in election night. Next day a check on adnnis- sions by various men who had chal- lenged Oles to wagers brought ou. the fact that by taking all bets he could make enough to pay his cam paign expenses and give himself and his family a trip to Florida. At various times during the cam paign Oles announced the following platform blanks:
 Discontinuance of street car sery- ice. and turning over the streets to jitneys.
 Firing the whole police force If il didn't clean up the town.
 Permit spooning in parks under police protection.
 Jail anyone who paid taxes under a recent revaluation.
 Tear up the Erie railroad's tracks if 1t didn't eliminate downtown grade crossings.
 After his election. however, there were indications that Oles was, con sidering conservative policies. Ques- toned about firing" various off cials whom he had named in the campaign. he said he would have to inquire into the law Concerning tn :, street car plank. he said that the traffic problem was knotty and re quired great deal of study. Asked as to jailing taxpayers. he said after election that he would jail anyone who broke the law.