New-York tribune., 1901-06-16
MR. WANANAKER'S SERTICE.

New-fork has little reason 10 be proud of its
municipal administration. but they do some
things worse in Philadelphia Public franchises
OF great value have repeatedly been bestowed
on private individuals in the history of this city,
and taxpayers are consequently bearing far
heavier burdens than il would have been neces-
sary TO put on their backs If a different policy
had been pursued here. To some extent such
free gifts have been merely shOrtsighted but il
has 10 be admitted that in other cases Judgment
and conscience were deliberately affronted. Yet
il may be doubted if quite so defiant betrayal
of the public welfare as that which has just
been accomplished in Philadelphia was ever
witnessed in New-Ysrk even in the days of
Tweed. Ii was, of course. we'll known from the
beginning Of operations in the Pennsylvania
legislature a fortnight ago that combination
of political animosity and commercial thrift was
threatening Philadelphia and other cities of the
State. but, nevertheless Mr. Wanamaker's let
ter 10 Mayor Ashbridge and the Mayors con-
temptuous treatment of il were needed 10 pro-
duce vivid understanding of the true character
of the performance.
The ordinances which were rushed through
the Philadelphia Councils under legislative au-
thOrity procured in a similar manner confer
immensely lucrative transportation privileges
which have hitherto controlled the street rail-
way service. No doubt the argument will be
that competition is a good thing. bnt in face of
all the facts. and in particular of the fact that
for this rich grant no recOmpense of any sort is
required, such pretence IS not worth the breath
expended in making IL. Nobody in Philadel-
phia doubts that conspiracy of plumber has
succeeded, so far municipal authority can
render IL successful and a verdict to that effect
is plainly pronounced even by many who have
tried hard 10 live in peace with their local ad-
ministration. 1t is greatly 10 the credit OF Mr.
Wanamaker that while the transaction was
still incomplete and time enough remained 10
block ii, he offered through the Mayor 81 500 900
for the franchises which the Mayors signature
was about 10 turn over as free gift 10 the
benefieiaries of the government Mr.. Wanna
maker had no more 10 gain than any other
citizen by this proposition for he has no wish
or intention TO embark in the transportation
business. His purpose was to furnish practi-
cal warrant for stopping the job, amending the
ordinances putting up the franchises at public
auction. and thus obtaining for the city rea-
sonable compensation, which he believed would
be much larger than the sum he offered. The
manner in which the people of Philadelphia are
At present served was startlingly shown by the
rejection of his proposal and the manner in
which 1t was rejected. The Mayor would not
even open Mr.. Wanamakers letter. but his evil
dent wish 10 avoid a knowledge Of its contents
did not avail TO keep him ignorant of its pur-
port, and with complete understanding OF the
situation he signed the ordinances by which the
public interests are recklessly sacrificed.
1t seems TO be expected that the affair will be
taken into the courts. and IL would certainly
seem as If legal redress might be hopefully in
vOked. But in any ease there are gratifying in
dicatiOns that public opinion will not consent TO
let the matter drop after a spasm of indigna-
tion. In the mean time il is pleasure TO recog-
nize the service which Mr.. Wanamaker has
rendered He has performed the part of a good
citizen imbued with sense of personal respon-
sibility for the common honor and welfare.