Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-28
WHY DON'T YOU ANSWER e.
THESE QUESTIONS, Mr.. ALTER?
How About Recovering That $4,000 Bel.
dieuran Check, the $4,000 Brlndle
Stole and 100000 snyder Paid
Favored Attorneys?
BY GEORGE NOx MCCAIN


like Attorney General Alter to answer; not
as Il Republican candidate for Governor
alone, but as the chief legal officer Of the
Commonwealth. They are herewith sub.
mitted for Mr.. Alters serious thought.
News dispatches tell how the Attorney
General is motoring up and down and across
the State declining to make get speeches or
prophesy as to his success Mt the primaries
on May 10.
When he does address a public gathering
It is with abundant promises that if elected
he will inaugurate a policy of Economy and
Reform; also Efficiency.
That was Lieutenant Governor Beidlc.
mans trademarked slogan. Yet as
member Of the state Senate for years he
never knowingly raised his voice for either
economy or efficiency.
As Attorney General of Pennsylvania Mr..
Alter does not need to await the halcyon
moment when he becomes Governor to in
augurate such policy. Economy has been
yelling at his back alley gate while Reform
was pounding at his front door ever since
he assumed the duties of his present Office.
Why does not Attorney General Alter at
least make motions as If he intended to start
some reforms before he asks the sufrages
of the people?
Clifford Pinchot-now that the bars are all
down-could do no more popular act than
to have some one of his followers or friends
arise in n public meeting and ask the At.
torney General at the close of his address,
If he makes one, these questions:
Why, Mr.. Alter, as the Commonwealth
chief legal officer, have you not instituted
suit on behalf of the people to recover the
$4,000 stolen by Harry L. Brndle, late chief
clerk of the Bureau of Accounts and Ex-
pendtures in the Auditor Generals Office,
and for which he is now serving a term in
prison?
Charles 4. Snyder who was Auditor Gen.
eral at the time, or his bondsman. is liable
for this sum. 1t is reported around Harris.
burg that Mr.. Snyder declines TO make good
this loss.
Why have not legal proceedings been in.
stituted by the Attorney General against
Snyder or his sureties? This is the peo.
ples money.
Why has not the Attorney General brought
proceedings against Snyder or his bondsmen
TO recover the $1,000 paid Lieutenant Gov
crnor Beidleman for alleged services in col.
lecting n tax bonus from the Westinghouse
Company. when Mr.. Snyder's own legal ex.
perts were engaged on the case in his behalf
and sat in at one of the hearings?
Or did Mr.. Alter. as the law prescribes,
authorize or permit Mr.. Snyder to retain
the Lieutenant Governor. and thus prodi.
fat fees to his crony and friend eddie"
po;l
Why has not Attorney General Alter
though urged to do so-instituted proceed.
ings to recover from Snyder. as Auditor
General. or his bondsmen, the more than
100000 which Snyder boasts he spent on
favored attorneys over the state for collect.
ing taxes?
Snyder boasted II am boss when il
came to the appointment of attorneys and
the matter of their fees. He has also boasted
that he would do the same thing again II
opportunity demanded.
IF the Attorney General consented to the
empoymeE: Of these extra attorneys and
"FuEners,' who were little less than boom.
ers for Mr.. Snyder when he thought he was
a candidate for Governor, then no answer
is required; the law was observed If Mr..
Most of these attorneys were employed
and there are no letters of appointment or
Of acceptance on fle-by Snyder before MIR.
Alter became Attorney General. so the ques.
ton is still open.
Did the Attorney General inform himself
whether his predecessor had acqu!esced in
the appointment and payment of these men
to the tune Of 800. 600?
Among them was Philadelphia Senator,
who pulled out more than $1,000 as his share.
The law expressly stipulates that attor-
neys employed by any State department
must be appointed only with the knowledge
and consent of the Attorney General, and
their fees be subject TO his approval.
Snyder as Auditor General violated the
law with Il reckless disregard that took,
according to his own statement, 800. coo
from the state Treasury.
What has Attorney General Alter, who
promises Economy and Reform. likewise
Efficiency, in the future If elected Governor,
done in the past or is doing in the present
along that line!
What is he going to do NOW:
lie does not have to be elected Governor
to start legal proceedings on behalf Of the
people TO recover these sums.
AS Attorney General it was his duty 10
have started suit months ago-when the
facts were first brought to his attention !;
and they We're called to his attention and he
was urged to act.
But thus far lie has not lifted his voice or
raised his hand against t-~'e iniquties.
Mr.. Alter-and th!s should be Mr.. Pin.
no mine--is fIr
and Reform, likewise Efficiency, il he is
elected Governor.
But is he for these things now? ri so.
why doesn't he make goody