The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-30
Philadelphia Graft Costs Twelve
Hundred Lives.

While the report OF Ine investigating
engineers appointed by Mayor Weaver
to examine the filtration system Of
Philadelphia and to inquire into the
cost Of the construction Of certain
boulevards is startling in its revela-
tions as to the amount Of graft involved
in various contracts, the most serious
phase of the whole business is the esti-
mate of the loss of life on account of
the delay in the construction Of the fl
tration work.
In a word, the city has lost, accord
ing to this report, thru excessive costs,
collusive bills, illegal advertising and
in other ways, $6,330,000. The contracts
for over $1s,0O0,o00, according to, the
reports Of these engineers, should have
! been executed for at least 5000 900
less money. This money has been stolen
by the contractors in collision with
city officers, among whom was the
director Of public works under Mayor
Ashbridge, William G. Haddock, Peter
E. Costello, who occupied the same
office under Mayor Weaver until he
, was. removed last May, and John W.
Hill, former chief Of the bureau of
filtration, now awaiting trial on charges
of fraud and Justification of records in
connection with the construction Of the
filtration plant. ~-> IS.
While these contracts provided for
the levying Of penalty for failure to
complete them within the time specified,
the penalties proposed have been ridicu-
lously small. On the filtration plant the
delay laid the contractors liable to dam
agese or deductions for overtime
amounting to $4,000, whereas the &C
tual amount assessed was only 1926.
On various contracts the proE8sed time
was exceeded by from 10 to 200 per
cent. While this exposure Of a steal
Of 100000 and over on these con
tracts is calculated to stimulate the re-
form campaign in that city, the fact
which should arouse the most feeling
and provoke the most determined effort
to overthrow ring rule in Philadelphia
J relates to the prevalence Of typhoid a:
a result of unnecessary delay in the
completion Of the filtration plant. This
filtration plant, the report says, ought
to have been completed Jan 1, 1904
!, Since Jan. 6, 1904, when another dis
trict of the city began to receive fl
tered water from another part of tn
system. there have been only ten death
: in that district from typhoid out Of I
population of over Al 900. At the sam
| proportionate rate the deaths from ty
phoid in the whole city since Jan. ]
1904, when filtered water should hav
been. supplied to everybody, should hav
been ifty-seven or less; whereas, 1926
have died from that disease. In othe
words, the lives of 1900 persons hav
: been sacrificed to the greed Of tn
= grafters in Philadelphia. ~. =.
y The report which brings out thes
+ appalling facts is prepared by Majo
Cassius E. Gillette Of the United State
., - engineering corps, who Investigated tn
Savannah harbor frauds, and John Dor
aid MacLennon Of Washington, D.
~ It is significant that the publicantio
:, of this report was followed Immediately
! by conference of the republican lead
ers in Philadelphia, among them bein.
Senator Penrose. This is one of til
. most staggering blows that has bee
;, struck at the republican organizatio
;. in Philadelphia since this. present can
= paign began. IF the people. Of tina
= city, in view of these facts, are will
: ing to continue the reign Of the reput
! lican machine, they certainly can e,
- pect no sympathy from the rest Of til
: country If the credit Of the city is RI
ined, if the taxes become so burden
. some as to drive away both capital an
!, population, and if the death rate e,
= ceeds that of any other community i
. the civilized world. They will hav
: got what they deserve.
IS Excelsior Springs, Mo-, has organized