The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-07
A Senator Visits PHILADELPHIA

Senator Smoot chairman of the United States
Senate finance committee learned Thursday night
what they think of United States senators in phila
delphia
He discovered, perhaps the reason for William
S. Ware.
Invited to address business mems rally in be-
half of one Harry S. Mackey, Wares candidate for
mayor Senator Smoot appeared prepared to give
the audience the best he had. He had assembled his
speech with care; the typewriter manuscript was
filled with the most impressive figures and statistics
"Mr. Chairman said the senator, bowling in the
direction of Samuel NJ Vauclain president of the
Baldwin Locomotive Works, who occupied the chair.
Into the hall marched brass band, brayng us-
tily Hail, Hail, the Gangs All Here!" or something
equally appropriate.
The senator smiled and waited for the band to
subside, which presently it did.
And ladies and gentlemen" added the Senator
In marched another band just as loud as the
first In time it got settled. The senator pitched
into his speech.
Further reduction in the tax burden" he began
That apparently the signal for another band
for in one came, a-tootng.
The senator beginning to feel little doubt
full but he took up his tax talk manfully once more
1hlS time he was able to expound quite lot of
facts and figures before anything happened and
when it did happen it wasn't brass band 1t was
band of patriotic women all dressed in yellow
slickers. They marched right up onto the stage
needless of the speaker. and turned their backs re-
veang in large black letters on their slickers, this
inspiring thought
'Wote the straight Republican ticket"
When they had received their thunderous cheers
and marched off again, the senator patiently resumed
his effort But the crowd restless and not listen
ing. They apparently wanted more bands They got
their wish, in part, for more bands did come in
But even in Philadelphia the supply of brass bands
is not unlimited and eventually the distinguished
speaker was able to reel off whole pages of his manu-
script without musical interruption.
So the crowd started shutting its feet His pa
tience exhausted, Smoot laid his manuscript down
and pleaded with the audience.
Perhaps you not interested in this long arrav
of figures" he said, "but was under the impress
sion that speaking to business men. am
vitality interested in reduction of taxes am giving
all my heart and my strength to study of the prob
lem The only way we get at the solution is
by public discussion, SO that Congress may know
what the people thinking"
This heart-to-heart appeal had an effect, but not
the one smoot anticipated
Choke him!" shouted some one in the gallery
Samuel Vauclain took the situation in hand Step
ping to the front of the platform with an mperous
gesture, he restored order. When Smoot resumed
he found himself cheered The audience cheered
everything he said 1t cheered high taxes and cheered
low taxes. 1t cheered when he expressed agreement
with Secretary Mellon and when he expressed dis
agreement 1t cheered the senator entirely out Of
the notion of finishing his speech
The papers say he was white with rage when he
walked to his seat. But. back the calm environc
OF Washington the senator probably more phlo-
sophcal. He probably feels that Philadelphia has in
William S. Ware, just the senator it deserves