Los Angeles Herald, Volume 36, Number 177, 27 March 1909 — STORY OF THE RECALL MOVEMENT AS TOLD BY CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS [ARTICLE]

STORY OF THE RECALL MOVEMENT AS TOLD BY CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

■ESHBSj]UGTJST, 12,1908—The Herald, having good reason WW | to believe that Mayor Harper and certain OUGTJST, 12, of official family, were using their, to believe that Mayor Harper and certain members of his official family were using their $M a positions to the detriment of the best interests sd_fe_B| of Los Angeles and the cause of decency and good government, quietly 1 began a systematic Investigation of the actual • relations ; between the municipal authorities and garoblVng and other lawless .elements. Evidence of graft and crookedness, convinc- . ing and Irrefutable, accumulated rapidly, and the mass of damning facts secured by The Herald through Its * own efforts was carefully recorded for future reference. January 1, When it became . known that Mayor Harper had planned to appoint Chief of Police Edward Kern as a member of the board of \ public works, to succeed D. K. Edwards, The Herald entered vigorous ' protest, editorially and otherwise, being convinced that Kern was wholly unfit for the position, with his Influence a menace to the best Interests of Los Angeles. January 1, 1909, The Herald declared that the appointment of Kern "will discredit Mayor Hamper's administration and will show a contempt for public pplnlon and public weal which will bring it into odium and send it into history deeply tarnished with disgrace.' Other editorials of like tenor, based on evidence in possession of The Herald, further protesting against the appointment of Kern, appeared In The Herald, but / advice and words of caution were ignored. January 6—The "frame-up" was delivered. g Edward Kern, who had resigned as chief of police, was appointed a member of the board of public works by the mayor, i as the successor of D. K. Edwards, term expired, and the same day Thomas H. Broadhead was appointed chief of police. • January 6—On the day following the appointment of Mr. Kern as member of the board of public works The ' Herald was the first newspaper to suggest and advocate the use of the recall provision of the city charter against Mayor Harper. January The Herald published the first of the series of exposures under the caption, "Is Vice Protected in Los Angeles?" Then it was that The Herald gave formal notice of the systematic investigation which it had conducted for six months, gathering facts revealing that various pernicious combinations had been formed by Harper and his appointees to dispose of promotion stock in companies, cash paid by saloonkeepers and other parties being understood to assure Immunity from prosecution for violation of city laws. January Full statement as to organization of Mayor Harper's first police commission to hold up liquor dealers. Organizations: The* Pacific Sugar company, the Pacific Sugar corporation and the Pacific Securities company, the last named organization being the holding company. • v January Herald statement showing how Police Commissioner Sam Schenck succeeded In placing with liquor dealers stock of corporations in which Mayor Harper and majority of his first police, commission were interested. January 10—Herald statement showing how the stock In the Los Angeles-Utah Oil company, popularly known as "Mayor Harper's Oil company," was placed with the liquor dealers of Los Angeles. Thirty-six liquor dealers bought stock and all were protected by the frame-up. January Herald statement showing how R. F. Goings, a fellow stockholder with Mayor Harper, two of his police commissioners and Chief of Police Kern, runs his saloon, wine room and gambling place In Los Angeles. January 12—Herald statement showing how "Chowder House Jim" Dunne, a fellow stockholder with Mayor Harper, two of his police commissioners and Ed Kern, chief of police, runs the notorious Manhattan hotel, which Is rented to him by H. W. Lewis, another police commissioner, as agent of the owner. January Herald statement giving first flash of sidelights on the Owens river aqueduct and giving the law prescribing duties of mayor, the police commission an I the chief of police, with known violations of the law. January 15—Herald statement showing baneful Influence of officials in protection of vice, not to be trusted to handle $25,000,000 of city funds. Exposure of Southwestern Packing company stock jobbing scheme. January 16—Herald statement showing how Southern Pacific political machine successfully carried out plot to gain control of the Los Angeles city government. January Herald statement .showing how promotion of Ed Kern to board of public works was "requested" by Walter Parker and how his confirmation by the council was arranged. ?'i';" January 18— Herald statement showing hoY corrupt conditions in municipalities are caused by evil Influence of the Southern Pacific political machine, which seeks the control of $25,000,000 of aqueduct fund. January Arrest of fifteen men in Apex club gaming resort, Including Eddie Morris, who urged police to "call up A. C; he'll show you." Escape of three prisoners from central police station, going free without ball. ; .'., January 19—Herald statement showing unmistakable dereliction of duty on part of Mayor Harper and his appointees, and giving full suggestions how to proceed with the recall. Citizens generally clamor for petition to recall Mayor Harper. January 23— Herald exposure of gambling den close to city hall. Police chief notified of place of deadfall by The Herald. January 21—More than 200 prominent citizens declare at Symphony hall that for the good of the municipality Mayor Harper shall be recalled. This meeting held fourteen days after The Herald began its series of articles on "Is Vice Protected in Los Angeles?" Municipal league at this meeting Instructed to put in operation the recall provision of the city charter. January 22— Herald's answer to Mayor Harper's statements referring to action of citizens Invoking the recall. January 23— Herald statement showing further gambling dens in operation near police station. Diagram of place sent by Herald to chief of police. Full text of the recall petition published. Recall headquarters opened at 401 Equitable building by Municipal league. January 24— City club vigorously indorses recall of the mayor. January 25— Arrangements made for meetings to spread sentiment favorable to recall movement. General enthusiasm aroused. First names signed to recall petition. January 26—Herald exposure showing existence of notorious Central club within one block of police station, where gamblers boast of alleged immunity from raids. Herald notice to chief of police. _

*-. ■ -.-. -' _ ■.'■-.* - 4 i-., .; .. - -_.'• . - '.--■? f ' y'W '■' - - *"'* * iVH --■■*:>; r'l * « January 26—Federation of Churches urge Harper's recall. January 27—General' circulation of i recall 'i petition and quick rush to sign by voters. f January 28—Views of leading cltlsens am . the recall movement, all desiring clean politics and a clean city. January 29—Municipal league announces that signatures to recall exceed all estimates. z'.ui'Pp .'p^. ', Januany 30—6000 signatures secured for recall petitions, \7 January 31—Civic bodies arrange to choose candidate for successor for. Mayor Harper. \ 7. ' „ . 'p t . p. .» February Call' Issued v for-: meeting ;of .' citizens ,'at Blanchard hall to name candidate for mayor. • •■"■.■'','. ■■'• February 2—William D. Stephens named at . citizens' meeting as Harper's opponent at recall election. : *,', February Herald answers Harper's '/ statements In Times and Examiner and propounds twelve questions ■• for Harper to answer., Herald proposes to Harper that if he will bring action for libel against The Herald for any false statement claimed to be made, The Herald will pay all court costs. > . " ' : i February 3—Herald publishes , Indisputable proof that Mayor Harper used his position to "induce" keepers of disreputable resorts to purchase his oil stock. Facsimile of "Mayor's Oil company" published. „'7 -S February More than enough names secured •to make • recall election certain. '.{ Failure of grand jury to make report on Investigation of protected vice, charges. February s—Herald makes another extended answer to Mayor Harper's declarations, showing frightful things permitted to exist in the city. ; N \/'pp February William D. Stephens declines nomination for mayor, but heartily Indorses recall movement. „ *, February 7— Herald statement showing how Mayor Harper received direct benefit of money paid by liquor dealers for stock in his corporations. { February B—Herald statement showing that attempts to aid Harper will fall. February 9—Apex club gamblers admit their guilt. Recall petition with 11,000 names affixed formally filed with city olerk. February 10—Formal report of grand jury presented to Judge James. Harper and Kern ruthlessly exposed. Administration censured for permitting evils to flourish unchecked. Report proves vice protected in Los Angeles. •» - .t~ :*....»:- -;i'.'-:,'- :' y * ' February —Exposure of mayor's acts tarings storm of condemnation. • Citizens in Interviews denounce the mayor. -7N ' -:-P ■ *.' ■ ' February 12—Committee of fifteen to name recall candidate for mayor. : '. J.J" February 15—George Alexander chosen by committee of fifteen to be recall candidate for mayor. Announcement of acceptance by Mr. Alexander. i February 15—Herald's review ■ of Mayor Harper's com--fnunlcatlon to his morning newspaper organs criticising ' the .report of the grand jury. v '.",, T' 's. February City Clerk Lelande certifies to sufficiency of recall petition. More than 8050 qualified voters enrolled. . ', t - ■ .' February 17—Action of committee .In - naming Georgo Alexander as recall candidate for mayor unanimously Indorsed at Blanchard hall meeting. Formal address I£ to the public. : ,-'■' 'p-fr-IPPpA- , February 18—Herald makes further comments on Harper's criticism of grand Jury report, again calling upon ' Harper to deny accusations of The Herald based on facts in Its possession. ' - v, . API ' February 19—Mayor Harper signs ordinance to call recall election. Date fixed March 26, 1909. {:.'. j February 22— First meeting of recall campaign held at Highland Park. I A^'PAIP' :'--\ ' February 24—Petition filed with city clerk for placing name of George Alexander on recall ticket as nominee for mayor. :-'<:,x'l ■*■ i.:t\i'p''March I—S. C. Graham selected as chairman of recall campaign committee. AP iAPAiAA''hAi:'^'A March The Herald makes another expose of the existence of wide-open gambling houses, with no police Interference. pp. ' March The Herald shows! that police department seems to be powerless to act in the suppression of violations of law, although evidence against gamblers Is secured without slightest difficulty. ,-;.'.. March 7—The Herald names and gives diagrams of vice resort where men assemble to plan commission of crimes, resort within two blocks of police station. „ March The Herald gives details of murderous assault on Jacinto Guzmal at $20 San Fernando street, Sunday, March 7, also robbery of Jose Valdez, as the result of illegal sale of liquor, and no police protection. March 9—The Herald answers open address of 100 citizens managing Harper's campaign. March 9—Harper's cause dealt deathblow by sudden resignation of Ed Kern as member of board of public works. William Humphreys appointed as Kern's successor. ;;%>, * ".;. '■'.'':■ '''„''■' March 10—The Herald continues consideration of address to voters by Harper committee of 100, pouring more hot shot into the shaky camp. March 11—The Herald gives the committee of 100 another broadside. March Mayor Harper tenders his resignation In writing, to prevent publication of facts in possession of Mr. E. T. Earl of the Express, and leaves for Corcoran in an automobile. Mayor also withdraws as candidate for re-election. Action generally regarded as confession of guilt. „ • March 13—The Herald in final words to committee of 100 shows how Its course 'in attacking vice in Los Angeles was dictated by desire to serve best interests of the municipality.

March The city council elected William D. Stephens mayor of Los Angeles to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Harper, to serve until the election of his successor on March 26. March 15—Judge James summons a special grand jury to investigate certain officials Identified with the city government and other parties under suspicion. March 19— Special grand jury within five hours after being impaneled brings in an indictment, supposed to be against a fugitive from justice. :p\> March 23— Judge Bordwell gives i decision denying application for Injunction against holding the recall election. :..:.[''i''P.'-'- iy, 'ip'l'p;

March 25— Sam Schenck, former police commissioner under the Harper administration, indicted by the grand jury, charged with bribery. Schenck arrested and ball fixed at $5000. :-■ March 26— George Alexander elected mayor.