The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-07

Disheartening as the outlook has
been, there is now fair ground for
hope that the people OF Philadelphia
may lift their city out of its disgust
ing and ever-growing infamy.
The existence Of the crime and the
inactivity of the authorities are now
matters of official record. The city
seems to be genuinely aroused. Clergy
congregations are holding mass meet
ings- The grand jury has returned
pTesentment against certain city Of
fcials which must carry overwheIm-
ing conviction, except to the minds
Of those who refuse to hear And
yesterday, even the mayor certified to
the receipt OF information which
makes action on his part, antagon:stic
to the vicious or favorable to the vice,
almost unavoidable.
Washington is familiar with the
scandalous and Infamous conditio
which have been fostered by the po-
lfticaI machine now in control in Phil
adelphia-that the elections have be-
come mere formaiities; that the po-
lice are tools OF the most nefarious
lawbreai1ers in the State; that gam
bling dens and houses Of ill-fame
used to pad the lnay GRITTY voting lists.
even when padding is unnecessary to
carry the election, and that conyinc-
ing proof Is offered of the existence
in this City OF Brotherly Love" of
a. syndicate which opens and main
tains a circle of foul dens with the
full knowledge Of the police.
For years these conditions have
been saddling the city harder and
harder The wiggItng of reformers
has merely settled the machine the
hrmer on the cfty's back. Exposure
after exposure had had the effect
only of making the city callous and
the offenders brazen, For a year past
Americans who love good government
have despaired ever OF redeem1ng one
of the Oldest, and in many respect the
most important OF our cities from
the hands OF procurers and panderers
But row there is some ground fol
hope. The grand jury has reported
to the court, and the papers have
published a presentment which no
even the most Indifferent citizens cal
ignore. Read what it says:
The testimony given to the grand jur
on oath in connection with the bill
formally brought before it reveals
condition Of affairs which would hrin
the blush OF shame to any TeSDectabl
citizen and make him feel that the fai
name of Philadelphia has been dis
graced and Inundated by those wh
allow the continuance Of such condition
of affairs.
The grand jury cannot but believ
from evidence it has heard that thi
vice fourishes and increases because
is protected or countenanced by thos
high In authority and leaders in certai
wards and political clubs.
And so the grand jury returns tru
bills against the keepers and inmate
Of nearly thirty houses and indici
ments against nearly one hundre
persons It is led to the belle
that the responsibility for the cor
tinuance" of this evil, Lies immed
ateIy with the director of public safe
ty." It notes that "130 or more dis
reputable houses" exist in two pre-
cincts alone, and that the patrolme
on these beats have regularly Re
ported the most of these houses e
being disreputable places and as VII
lating the law"
The fight is not yet won-far frol
1t. But yesterday one of the LEAF
ing members of The White Sla'
Syndicate" was arrested, and whe
one of the houses supposed to be III
der his control was raided. incrim
mating evidence of the most appallir
nature was obtained What follow
these events rests with the people
Philadelphia