The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-03-14
YOU'RE
T TELLING
ME-!
BY POLITICS PETE

BelittlIng. Sneering ana snIcaI
publicity on the radio as well as
in the press failed to lessen the
severe shock of the administra-
ton forces at the large vote polled
by the two "unknown's' Thomas
S. Post and John w. Harper.
II is true that Mayor Irvine
was high man among three. but
look at the combined vote rolled
up. because il is food for thought:
AGAINST IRvINE........a.iOlS
FOR IRVINE ......."........3333
Large part of the vote came as
protest from fair minded voters
who were disguised at the oft
repeated press and radio state
ments about "janitor" and filling
station owner" No mention was
made, however. that Mayor Irvine
IS the owner OF a small confec-
tionery and grocery on Pulaski
Street!
Team Work
Every City official and cmployc
was out on Primary day to force
out the vote. The City Hall was
deserted and department workers
laid aside their tools. A door
bell campaign was put on with
the boys dumping the political
cards OF the slate" into the hands
OF every housewife. At least one
hundred automobiles were placed
in service for the slate" ali OF
them using that hoary. campaign
dodge Of carrying no identifying
political stickers.
And after all tho work was done
and the votes were counted the
wise old politicos are confidently
saying the City Hall slate shot It's
bolt in the primary!!!
The Low Down
Political expcdicncy makes
strange bedfcllowS. The Times
and Alcganian Company. which
holds the printed page monopoly
in Cumberland. now seeks TO
dominate and control the NUM-
cipal government. II hoped to
control the mayor and two
councilmcn and select the city
employees in the incoming adj
ministration.
Its financial" head has been
comforting at intervals with
Mayor Harry Irvine. John j.
McNIullcn. its "head-man" and
ambitious politically has been
loafing around the City Hall.
seated on the golden oak bench
comforting with Tax Collector
James Conway, Councilman
William J. Edwards and Super
intendent of Water Andrew
Bender. The last two were
formerly employed by McNlullcn
In his store.
The Times Change
The Cumberland Times in days
gone by opposed Irvine for any
job he ever sought and Irvine
knows it. The Times-News was
always sour against trades union
ism, the latter paper still being
scab edited sheet. They opposed
Irvine for years when he was
identified with the Allegany
Trades Council. OF course the
union printers forced a CLOSED
SHOP at the Times over thirty
years ago. and although the man
agement HAS to take it. they still
belch over the dose.
The TIMES NEWS wants to
save co Cumberland Irvine
wants to be reelected Mayor and
below around City Hall for two
years more.
With the shock Of the primary
still fresh he is willing TO go along.
pick up the TIMES slate and plug
for il.
Already the collection box is
rafting in city hail. and all the
"top men" and the little fellers
too. are bringing III the si!rn,es."
II the custom is followed Pete
Heskett will take care OF the
"bhoys" on Liberty Street.
Big Question
?? ere?
Here is a puzzling question. How
long is Cumberland going to be
q 'wide-open town?
Will it last until the city cleo
ton in a few days or will the pad
locks swing into action before the
April Grand Jury meets?
The poker rooms, bookic joints
and other places where young and
old are taken across" are skim
ming the Grade AA cream just
now in Cumberland.
However, there is much COM
plant. wailing and bowling
among the city merchants who
are just getting wise that many
delinquent accounts are getting
that way land staying that way
due to the "hoss races" poker
and etc.
All bets" were off some months
ago when the Hagerstown boys
tried to crash the local bookie
trust. You may have heard about