Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-31
DANCER IN A TOP.AEAvY
TICKET OF "BlC INTERESTS
Republicans In Peril Of Making Capital
for the oemoerats II They Pick only
Large Corporation Candidates
pv CUORcr Nny McCAIN

for the Democrats u They Pick Only
Large Corporation Candidates
BY GEORGE NOx Mccain
THE Republican Party Of Pennsylvania
L stands face to face with a threatened
danger. 1t Is one that may imperil the sue
cess of the State ticket unless averted by
wise counsel and discreet action.
1t is conceded by leaders Of the Repub-
lican organization--at least those who are
honest in their convictions-that there is
vast amount Of dissatisfaction and unrest
throughout the State. 1t cannot be at
tributed to any particular thing. 1t is the
result Of a combination Of causes and cir.
cumstanccs.
Taxes, the bonus bootlcgging and the
unsavory conditions that have been disclosed
In the State Treasury and under the former
Auditor General at Harrisburg are con-
tributing factors to this attitude Of the pop
ular political mind.
Changes. 1t Is conceded, are impending in
the complexion Of the congressional delega.
tion. There are recriminations, and fac.
tionnl bitterness has been engendered in the
gubernatorial contest, the whole combining
to form an unprecedented situation In the
AFFAIRS Of the party.
The Democrats have placed an aggressive
State ticket in nomination. 1t is we'll bal
anced.
Its candidates were selected largely be.
cause of their power Of appeal to the masses.
For the first time in decades. II not in the
States history, the farmers have candidate
of their own. man picked directly from the
ranks.
This fact alone will prove to be power.
full lever with agriculturists as class, ire
spective Of their individual political afilia-
ton.
The people have been apprised that John
A. McSparran. the Democratic candidate
Tor Governor, proposes to conduct State.
wide canvass. He has already inaugu-
rated It. | ...
Meantime the Republicans, evidently re.
lying upon past victories and superior mum.
bers. are considering no antidote, preparing
no panacea, for this condition.
Instead, they are flingins a gage of battle
that will intensity the situation described,
SO far as candidates are concerned.
Major David A. Reed, the ordained Sc.
lection for the United States Senate to
succeed Mr.. Crow, is an estimable gentleman
and soldier Of proved courage and stainless
record.
He is a member of one of the largest and
most influential law firms in this country
devoted to corporation practice. He Is a
corporation attorney.
Major Reeds Endorsement was made nos.
sible largely by the withdrawal of one of
the largest bankers of the State. John A.
Bell. whose affiliations also are largely iden.
titled with corporate interests.
Major Reeds colleague on the ticket.
George Wharton Pepper. also is a member
OF the bar. He, too, is an outstanding
figure in corporation practice, and every.
where recognized as one of the foremost
of Philadelphia's brilliant galaxy of cor.
poration attorneys-a gentleman whose in
terests are almost exclusively identified with
what Is generally known as "big business"
Joseph X. Grundy, of Bucks County. n
persistent and potential factor in Pennsyl.
vania Republican politics. has proclaimed
as his selection Of a candidate for Governor
Banking Commissioner John s. Fisher. n
gentleman held in wide esteem, but who
also, as leading member of the Western
bar, has large corporation interests in
trusted to his care.
Mr.. Grundy himself Is president of the
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association.
nm organization with branches in about sixty
counties of the State and composed of the
leading manufacturers, firms and corpora
tlons within the borders of the Common
wealth.
1t is apparent, therefore, up to the pres.
ent that the corporations are exceedingly
well represented in the candidates named and
the candidates presumptive.
Meantime, millions of voters, men and
women. workers In mill, factory. shop.
once, on the farms and railroads and in
other employments, are up to the present
unrepresented among those in the Repub
lican Party who are, or will be, inviting
their suffrages.
Is it not about time, midst the clash of
factions and the echo of deals. that among
those who desire to serve the people them
selves should be directly represented?
Is there none. outside the representa- ives
of great corporations. the prophets, priests
and kings of big business" who is oblc
to handle problems of government and stan nd
sponsor for the State in commanding posi +.
tions?
1t would seem so from the results thus far
garnered.
The Republican ticket is in imminent
danger OF becoming an out and out corpora .
tion ticket; topheavy aggregation OF cor
poration representatives.
In this year OF our Lord and of economic,
industrial and political unrest, the leaders
of the party and the near leaders. who have
been considering themselves, their candi =
dates, their own strategic political positions
and their own selfish interests, might prof
itably take counsel on this question before
1t Is too late.
The Democrats have set the pace.