The Washington herald., 1912-12-22
JUNGLE TOMS CABIN INSPIRES
BLANKENBURG TO CONE TO AMERICA
Mayor of Philadelphia Hears Father Read Mrs Stoves
Book and 1t Proved Great Text for Him He
Thinks Newspapers Prevent More Graft
ing Than Is Done Now

My cabinet is composed of five young,
active, capable, and serious men. 1
didn't ask any of them about his poll
tics or his religion. 1t happens that one
Of them is an Episcopalian, another is a
Methodist, / believe, another is a Pres
byterian, another is a Catholic. and an
ether is Jew.
saving 90 Per Cent on Supplies.
Contracts are now awarded to the low
est responsible bidders, and their bonds
make them responsible whether they are
personally so or not. Supplies are pur-
chased by Herman Loeb, one OF my d.
rectors who draws a salary of $1,000 a
year. Politicians in business cannot sell
US goods unless theirs are the best and
cheapest in the market. We buy Sl,250.-
900 worth of coal annually. No one is
now getting a rake-Off, either from the
! city or the dealers. in the matter of our
coal In some items We are saving 10
per cent as against former prices. Bulk
ing all the items, the saving averages Is
per cent.
The Declaration of Independence was
written and signed in Philadelphia. We
want TO demonstrate that Philadelphia,
which is American through and through.
can be governed honestly, efficiently and
independently. We want a new declara-
ton to go out from this great city-not
a declaration in formal words. but one
in actual deeds. II Philadelphia can be
ruled without regard to politics. religion.
| or classes, and well ruled. then all cities,
large and small. can have exactly the
same kind of government. Make our
cities honest, as l said before. and then
bribery will no longer be tolerated at the
capitals of our States. Our whole poll
tical life will be sweetened and all Amer
leans will be prouder than ever Of their
country.
The cities of the United States must
raise themselves up to the dignity, integ
rity. and patriotism everywhere notice
able among the cities of England and
Germany. Those countries have the best
municipal governments in the world. A
German or an Englishman thinks that
he is honored when called upon to hold
public Office. He realizes his obliga-
tions and wants the people to respect
him while he is living. and speak well
of him after he is dead. The burgO-
master of Berlin retired recently. after
being in service for eighteen years. Ad-
Vertisements were printed in the news
papers of Frankfurt. Hamburg, Leipzig,
Cologne. Munich. and Dresden that the
office was vacant, and that applications
from those desirous of obtaining the
place would be received by the Council
OF beTln
Every City Has Good Men.
Letters came in from all over the
empire. Political influence had nothing
whatever to do with the case. The best
available man in the kingdom was want
ed, and such. probably, was the man
who was chosen. We cannot advertise
for Mayors in this country. 1t would
not be practicable because our cities are
unlike; some of them ars-widely sepa-
rated by distance. and each has its own
particular problems.
The Mayor Of Los Angeles, there
fore, though an admirable executive,
might fail in st. Louis or Boston. 1
referred to the German method simply
to show the care that is taken to pro-
cure capable municipal officials. Every
city here has the men it needs. but we
drag in national questions. divide on
party lines. and after the election look
idly on while the victors apportion the
spoils. The government which follows
is unworthy of us as an enlightened,
successful and sensible people"
What are your ideas about the man.
agement of a city's police force?" 1
asked.
That the police everywhere should be
taken out and kept out of politics. The