Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-19
FOR HARMONY
At METUCHEN
But Still all is not Serene Fol-
lowing Meeting of Re-
publican Club

METUCHEN, Dec. 19--An at
tempted reconciliation between the
two factions of the local Republi-
can Club last night ended with
questionable results, some OF the
leaders in attendance declaring the
attempt to be a miserable failure
while others with a more optimistic
view ventured the opinion that the
wedge in the ranks had been driven
no deeper with resultant healing
of the breach.
The meeting had been called to
discuss plans for the ensuing year
and during the two hour session the
primary fight between Aylin Pierson
ana Luther Il. Riddle, Jr., for the
mayor atty was completely reviewed,
the following of Mr.. Pierson openly
charging that spite work carried
over from the primary fight to the
general election, had insured Demo-
cratic success at the polls.
Mr. Pierson in addressing the
gathering definitely stated that his
defeat caused by a disorganized
rarty had in no way lessened his
interest in the political and civic
future of the borough and he assur-
ed the members they would have
an opportunity at later date to again
cast their votes for or against him.
A plea for a clean cut show down
on the part of the workers who
failed to support their party ticket
at the election was demanded by Mr..
Pierson, as the only means of build
ing up complete and efficient or
ganization to carry on the 1924
campaign.
The charges of traitors in the
ranks was denied by a number of
those in attendance and various at
tempts to justify Mr.. Persons
slash;ng defeat were attempted,
there being no acknowledges on
the part of any of the workers that
they had repudiated their party at
the polls.
''This situation has troubled me a
great deal and l appreciate Mr.. Pier
sons feelings" declared Luther f..
Riddle, president of the club, and
father of Mr. Persons opponent.
But / hope that we may agree and
put this sad misund erstanding aside.
Let's turn down the past. L earn
estly ask all of you to get together,
lend your fullest support and work
for harmony within our ranks"
Mr.. Riddles plea made in a most
earnest manner failed to have the
hoped for effect, however. and a re-
conciliation of the two factions ap-
parently failed.
Plans were made for a dinner to
be held by the club on January 3,
though a majority of the members
appeared lukewarm to the PROPOSE
tion, due to the split in the ranks.
Arrangements have already been
made by A. u. Quint for the speak
ers on that occasion. Ex-Congress-
man 7. Frank Appleby, former
Judge Robert Cary of Hudson, and
Senator Stevens, of Monmouth
county having informed him that
they will attend.
A number of the members charge
that this dinner is arranged more
for the benefit of political aspirants
than for the good and welfare of
the local organization. which would
seem to indicate that harmony in
the ranks is a missing virtue since
the feeling created at the recent
primaries.
William Coles and l.. e. Molineaux
were appointed as a committee to
arrange for a testimonial to be ten
dered to the retiring mayor, Wash
ington Wilson at the annual dinner.
A. u. Quint and George b. Car
man were named as a committee to
arrange for the dinner.