Samuel L. Evans, the nonagenarian activist who was once called "the godfather of black political empowerment" in Philadelphia, says he won't be voting for the Democratic candidate for mayor this year.

Evans, who will turn 97 shortly after Tuesday's election, is best known for his AFNA National Education and Research Fund, which helps African American students in grades seven through 12 pursue careers in computers.

At least from the time he organized Philadelphia's contingent to the historic March on Washington in August 1963, he's been a force to be reckoned with in local Democratic circles. Many of Philadelphia's first generation of black elected officials have cited his influence.

So what's his beef with Democrat John F. Street?

Evans has long contended that the city Health Department, through its public health centers and prisons, has been involved in illegal research on human subjects (officials have denied it). He also faults "the Rendell-Street administration" for, as he sees it, inviting outbreaks of food-borne illnesses by cutting the frequency of inspections of food-handling services.

Evans, sharply turned out in an immaculate black suit, told a gathering of public school students at Temple University yesterday that he considered himself "the oldest active Democrat in the nation."

But he said that "I shall vote for Sam Katz and ask all whom I have touched for over 70 years to vote for Sam Katz . . . and if not, stay home or go fishing."

Bob Barnett, campaign director for the Republican candidate, said: "We appreciate the endorsement. Sam Evans has been around and been active in the community longer than anybody else on the political scene."

Campbell's Soup heiress for Katz

One of Katz's most generous donors is Dorrance "Dodo" Hamilton, the Campbell's Soup heiress. Katz's fund-raising reports show that she had contributed $100,000 to his campaign as of last spring.

In Katz's latest finance report, covering the summer and early fall, Hamilton was not listed as a donor.

But that doesn't mean she didn't give money.

In fact, $50,000 more went from Hamilton's pocket book to Katz's campaign coffers - via a political action committee called Hill PAC.

The committee was registered with the state elections bureau on Oct. 4. It was formed on behalf of Hill Solutions Inc., a government relations and lobbying business. No report on the PAC's contributions or expenditures has been filed in Harrisburg.

Eric Weinberg, executive vice president of Hill Solutions and chairman of Hill PAC, said the committee had received donations from a single source so far:

Dorrance Hamilton.

Weinberg said that she provided $100,000, and that the PAC has made donations to two candidates - Katz and Superior Court Judge Berle M. Schiller, the Democrat running for state Supreme Court, who got $5,000.

Weinberg said Hamilton's association with Hill and the Hill PAC is familial: A company run by her son gave Hill Solutions its start-up capital.

Weinberg, nephew of former City Solicitor Marty Weinberg, who finished second to John Street in the Democratic primary, said there had been no attempt to disguise Hamilton's contributions to Katz.

"That's not the purpose of the PAC, absolutely not. It's not to obfuscate anything," he said.

The PAC was created to let Hill executives and their clients make political contributions, Weinberg said.

Hamilton's donations to the PAC and its contributions are supposed to be detailed in campaign finance reports that by law must be filed with the state. Weinberg said the PAC had not submitted a report by last Friday's deadline because it had not received the necessary paperwork from Harrisburg.

Weinberg said yesterday he had contacted the state elections bureau and expected to receive the papers todayand then submit a report.

- Robert Zausner

Time to kiss a baby

It wouldn't be an election without a baby to kiss. Katz got his opportunity at the stereotypical campaign activity at a forum in Overbrook Farms on Monday night.

As his time at the podium was winding up, Katz spied an organizer in the wings holding an infant. His eyes grew wide as he approached the little girl sleeping soundly in her father's arms.

"This looks like my best chance," he said to laughter from the heavily Democratic audience. Katz cradled the baby while he finished his spiel. As comfortable as it was, Katz - a father of four - didn't want to hold on too long.

"My wife sees this," he told the audience, "and she'll want to have another."

- Monica Yant

An early absentee count

Just before yesterday's deadline to apply to the city Board of Elections for absentee ballots for Tuesday's election, 5,200 applications had been received.

The completed ballots must be mailed back to the board by Friday.

In 1991's general election, 8,964 people voted absentee. In the 1995 general election, the number was much smaller at 3,384