Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-12

For years the city of Philadelphia has
| been in the hands of a powerful and I'M
scrupulous political machine. as bold in its
operations as the Tammany Society OF New
York as reckless, as defiant of public opin-
| ION and of the rights of individuals or the
best interests of the city. Maladministra-
| ton. corruption and even worse crimes
have been charged against 1t. with strong
proof of accuracy. The honest citizens of
Philadelphia have begun to demur at this
course of scandalous conduct. and although
unable to break the power of the machine
| they have managed to expose the rotten
ness of the city government. to the salts
faction of a large following of residents
and of the unprecedented observers of many
other cities.
Among those who have sturdily opposed
the ring rule. both in the city and the state.
is John Wanamaker. of the most en-
terprising and successful merchants of the
world. one of the purest of men In pubic
and private life. and honored by the assign
ment of important national duties during
a recent administration. In short. John
Wanamaker stands today before the coun-
try as one of its best-known. most respect
ed. most honestly successful citizens. The
services of such man in the fight in Phil
adelphia for good government have been of
inestmable value. cherished by his assoc
ciates and feared by his enemies.
Mr. Wanamakers son owns and manages
the Philadelphia North American. a stanch
organ of the reformers vigorous assailant
of the ring rule, an incorruptible organ of
the people. 1t has opposed the Quay ma
chine and has from time to time-oppor-
tunties for such enterprises are frequent in
Philadelphia-revealed the corruption and
fraud in the city administration. One of
its latest exploits was the exposure of con-
nivance between the state board of health
and the fraudulent oleomargarine traffic.
These attacks of the North American.
fortified by an abundance Of facts. have
demoraliZed the city administration.
Throughout the winter the city officials
have sought to persuade Mr. Wanamaker.
ST.. to prevent the recurrent assaults. He
has declined steadfastly to interfere with
the publishing business of his son. His
wcll-known antagonism to the local ma
chine would of itself prevent. After a
course of business badgering. the city
thorities. smarting under the attacks of the
North American, have ventured a bold
stroke. verging upon crimnality. The D-
rector of Public Safety. one of the most
powerful of the local authorities. has
sought to blackmail Mr.. Wanamaker into
S1leHcllS the North AMERICAN ny tuItdlel-
ing to publish scandalous facts concern
ing his private life.
The threat would be laughable were 1t not
seriously indicative of absolutely corrupt
rule. Mr.. Wanamakers life has undoubt-
eddy been far more free from questionable
incidents than the great majority Of men.
He has not only been affirmatively contrbu
tive to the morals of the city of Phladel
phia and the state of Pennsylvania through
his charities. and his religious works.
| markable for their extent and their success.
but he has been negatively helpful in main
tanning himself in blameless career. The
attempt to blackmail such a character
poses the serious straits of the mayor.
whose representative preached the plan.
This exposure. which Mr.. Wanamaker
frankly makes in the interests of decent
citizenship. blocks the game II could not
have succeeded in any event. Its ridiculous
failure is now assured. for the motives of
such scandalous lies may appear are
clearly understood by the public we'll In adj
vance of any venture the machine in its
utter despair may make toward publication.