Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-13
BUSINESS MEN HEAR
CAPABLE SPEAKERS
AT ANNUAL BANQUET
80 Members of Walnut
Street Organization and
Their Guests Gather at
Bellevue-Stratford.

one hundred and thirty men. members
and guests Of the Walnut Street Bus
iness Association, gathered in the clover
Room OF the Bellevue-stratford Hotel last
nieht to celebrate the seventh anniversary
OF the founding OF that organization.
The banquet room was decorated gaily
with great yellow chrysanthemums and
palms The association banner hung on
the wall, and everywhere little clusters
Of American flags gave touches OF bright
color. An orchestra, hidden behind n
bank OF ferns and palms In one corner
OF the room, played while dinner was
being served the banqueters singing
whenever an air caught their fancy IT'S
q Long. Long Way TO Tipperary' proved
10 be the favorite selection, and 1t was
Eung with enthusiasm time after time.
E. J. Berlet president of the assoca-
tion and the toastmaster, had arranged
notable list of speakers. After outlining
the plans OF the association for the next
year he introduced the first OF the speak
ere. Mayor II. c. Hocken, Of Toronto,
+ Canada.
TORONTO STUDIES OTHER CITIES.
Mayor Hocken called attention to the
fact that the policy OF the city of Toronto
is to examine the large cities of the
United States and adapt the best features
Of each to it's own needs. Toronto has
taken tho public playground idea from
New York, the prison farm idea from
Chicago. he said Expert accountants
now are studying Phiadelphias system
OF municipal accounting and will incor-
porate II In the Toronto system soon
a possible. Mayor Hocken suggested. in
conclusion, that this city would profit by
studying the system of municipal owner
ship of public utilities in Toronto where
the cost OF electric power, heat and light
has been cut i'm half by this means.
Mayor Wyndham r. Mayo, of Norfolk,
Va. outlined the condition of finances
in the South and praised the relationship
that always has existed between Norfolk
and Philadelphia He was followed by
Mayor-elect Thomas Raymond. of New
ark. N. j.. who explained "he hadn't eS
pected TO be called upon" and then told
number OF stories of the "Philadel-
phians-can' 't-catch-a-snail' variety, and
redeemed himself, in conclusion, by telling
similar anecdotes at the expense of his
own city.
Louis ID. Brandels, attorney for the
Federal Government in the railroad rate
investigation by the Interstate Commerce
Commission, outlined the railroad situa-
tion as It now stands. He was followed
by Ralph Bingham, who was entertaining
the company with anecdotes when Mayor
64aHhenDuIB elleEeu tue room.
CHEERS FOR BLANKENBURG.
Upon catching sight of :he Mayor every |
man in the room rose to his feet and |
cheered him to the echo. When silence |
was finally restored. Mayer Blankenburg |
declared that despite his Il years he in
tended TO fight for the good government |
OF Philadelphia as never before.
Il never fought unless l had to-" he |
said. but when I have had to ! have |
usually gotten what / fought for"
He then outlined the situation in which |
Philadelphia government is today. and |
expressed his intention to work for the |
people despite the efforts OF the City |
Councils tO hold him back.
In conclusion. Mayor Blankenburg said:
Il want nothing for myself, All want |
Is good government, founded on strict |
business principles"
Although Mayor Blankenburg's address
brought the evening to a close the busi-
ness men were so enthusiastic over the
executives stand that only after several |
minutes OF cheering did they leave the
room.