New-York tribune., 1903-03-01
PHILADELPHIA AFFAIRS.
Departure of Mayor -Elect. for Europe
Penn. E. R's Beneuolences.

Philadelphia. Feb. % CSpeciaD-The poHtlcal SEN
sation of the week has bee the almost secret but
certainly unexpected departure for Europe OF
Mayor-elect John Weaver. followed Immediately
by the announcement from an authoritative source
that the Director of Public Safety. Abraham L.
English, would not be reappointed by MI weaver
when he returns Just in time to take his seat.
This marks the retirement OF Mayor Ashbridge
by Boss Durham from further influential partcl-
patton in the hi, Of
1t has been known for year by the close poltlcai
G f9 Stand ct F for Mr. Nshbre longer
than the end of his term as MayHT pd 6e ocaS FstFng
by malignant enemies. and. however unjust may
have been the deci6ed Sentiment in the COM
munity the mildest expression of whose opposition
people when he assumed office.
The first official set which provoked criticism
was the appointment OF Mr. English as the cnleI
of the department in which is concentrated the
greatest political power in the city-because "hat-
ever promises have been made, the policemen the
fremen and the employees of the Electrical Bureau
City Property Bureau. Health Bureau, Building In
spection Bureau and Boiler Inspection Bureau.
have never been taken out OF politics. Prior TO
his sudden elevation to his present high position
Mr.. English had not demonstrated ability In ousl-
ness or in any executive capacity. He was known
only to limited circle. and then principally as tne
commodore of the Corinthian Yacht Club. After
years public service he had risen no higher than
clerk the Coroner, which place he held when
Coroner
The appointment purely personal one, and
results have justified the opinion then freely ex-
pressed that it was the intention OF the Mayor to
keep in his grasp the most weighty weapon
to club into submission any leader who refused to
work in harmony with his purposes. He has
done it. The most powerful boss which the Phila-
delphia Republican organization has ever had pur-
sued diplomatic course, and however muGh Mr.;
manT Things which haTe been done he always up
to the nomination of Mr.. Weaver, went along with
him. Thus he has saved the organization from
dsT9ptio9 and maintained IN place tho ad 1 6
fout the outgoing Mayor at the nod OF BOSS
The last stipulation which Mayor Ashbridgs
made conditioned on his support of the macnlne, 6
continued to the end of his term was the reten-
tion of Director English in his present place MT Mr:
that Mr. Durham was his warmest supporter, ana
the latter mas been quoted as saying Just prior 70
English" En- he"' Osp''' ''' -'i '-'
Durham is in Florida Weaver is on his way to
Europe, and David H. Lane. the Nestor of PhIa-
delphia politicians English's strongest prop. Has
qR before his
e M Ts MO- Would mot tS be
by him in the formation Of his cabinet,
security from unpleasant importantly. He has not
taken return tickets. and no one knows by what
get P away from f England before any one f6iloWne
Of the English mater nduced hS hm to
adopt this decisive method OF avoiding the plead
At the meeting of the Pennsylvania Railroad
stockholders. little than a week on one
OF the most interesting repOrtS-One a line Of
corporation action which, more than any other,
appeals to the sentiment Of the great outside pub
hc-will be that on the benevoences Of the COM
pany. They comprised in the relief, superan-
nuation. pension and saving funds and the Rail-
road Young Mems Christian Associations libraries
and hospitals.
The pension fund Is seventeen years DID, OF the
SS 998 received from all sources the corporation
has contributed $2.2Sl570. The total sum paid in
benefits has been $sSs4.sO9 In contradiction OF
popular notion that risks to railroad men arise
chiefly from the nature OF those avocations which
insurance companies term hazardous" an
analysis OF the benefits paid shows that the to.sI
accident, and that the total payments for death
from natural causes about three times as great
as those paid for death from accident in the SER
Nice.
The corporations assistance in the matter of the
other funds has been proportionately generous but
It's attention to the physical comfort OF its eu-
pioyes Is equalied, II not excelled. by that paid
70 providing mental entertainment and exercise
This lne OF corporation benevolence has been the
especial pet OF William A. Patton assistant TO the
president, who is the active head of the Y NJ
{. A. department. There nineteen of these
branches. with seven thousand members. Some own
the buildings which they occupy but by far the
larger number are located In buildings rooms be-
longing to the company. Gymnasiums. swimming
pools athletic fields general club privileges, lit
srarx instruction. detailing clubs Rpd free Lectures