New-York tribune., 1905-04-23
GIFTS IN PHILADELPHIA.

Great sticklers for privileges are the Phila-
delphia City Councilmen. 1t is their privilege to
give away franchises. Perish the thought. they
say that any city should stoop 10 sell its fran
chises Philadelphia witnessed with anazehent
several years ago the presentation Of a franchise
granting the use OF the streets to the keystone
Telephone Company. So valuable was this con-
sidered by John Wanamaker that he offered
$2,000,00O. sum he later increased to So, ,OO0,-
900. for the identical privilege. But the City
COuncilmen, Mortified at the mere suggestion of
selling franchise hastened to give this privi-
lege to the keystone Telephone Company and
the city missed making $3.OOOOOO. How much
Mr.. Wanamaker missed through the City Coun-
cilmen not accepting his offer will never be
known. The Keystone Telephone Company is
not communicative this subject.
Tom L. johnson, OF three-cent fare fame
OF Cleveland. probably cherishes unpleasant
thoughts concerning the City Councilmen Of
Philadelphia because of his experience with
them some years ago. Mr.. Johnson came un-
heralded before the City Council with map
showing certain streets OF Philadelphia unused
by car lines. He offered to lay tracks In all
these streets, and agreed in return to furnish
the city with thTee-cent trolley system to all
parts. There was panic among the adherents
Of the Rapid Transit Company at the City Hall
Word was speedily sent to the proper quarter
and the Rapid Transit Company immediateJv
filed a counter petition for the use of most Of
the streets mentioned by Mr.. Johnson as part of
his three-cent fare scheme The obliging High
ways Committee came 10 the help of the Rapid
Transit Company far as the remaining
streets were concerned, BY condemnine these as
unfit for railway service. The HIGHWAYS Conn
mittee also recommended that a rush bill grant
ing privileges to the Rapid Transit ComDanv 10
lay It's tracks IN the streets named by Mr..
Johnson, be acted upon. The celerity with
which the City Counciimen placed themselves ON
record as favorable to this bill must have given
Mr.. Johnson the impression that PhiIadeIphians
are lbelled when referred to as SLOW" Tom
L. Johnson's scheme was hopelessly sidetracked
Anothr charitable action of the PhiladelDh1,
City Council was the presentation to the JTnifed
Gas Improvement Company of lease for a
city streets without expense, to rip and tear
and undermine them as II willed.
But they are merry souls, the City Council
men. They enjoy life and appreciate good
show above all things. II was not surprising 10
those who knew them that when raid was
made on an entertainment of the Little FRypt"
variety recently severe City COuncilmen were
found there in the best of spirits and on the
happiest terms with the performers.
REFORM EFFECTED IN CHICAGO.
For years the City Council Of Chicago gave
evidence OF such Incompetence. ignorance. dis
honesty and pettishness that it showed its utter
unhtness for public service. When conditions
became so bad that that it was necessary to
organize public committees to protect the well
fare OF the municipality from the rapacity OF
the "city fathers there were not to exceed
dozen aldermen who were classed as honest
When a dozen votes were recorded in favor OF
a meritorious measure or against a notorious
sandbRgging operation by tho Council tt was a