Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-04

oluCe on election DAY Tor the use or members
of political organizations. Still another used
his position to intimidate the aliens among
whom he lived. Many of them could barely
write, and there was not a man in the lot
fully competent to prepare an ordinary engi-
neerng report.
There were innumerable cases where en-
poyes of the city were holding down out
side Jobs. Some of the top-grade employees
had larger incomes from private sources than
from the city. These quit the city when
brought to book. Among the unskilled labor
ers were men who served paper and milk
routes and cared for private lawns before
they came to work for the city. This made
them laggards cases being known where
teams were hitched and their drivers spent
an entire day making trip to City Hall and
back again for their pay.
On the city's books, expenses of opera
tion, of maintenance and Of construction
were all mixed up and in chaotic condi-
ton. There was no system in the keeping
Of accounts or supplies. II city employe
wanted paint or hardware, stationery or
other small materials he helped himself to
the city's supply. One man was permitted to
resign on the advice of the District Attorney
because he removed 20 wagon loads OF ma
terial from a station of which he was the
responsible head Public material used for
private purpose was the obvious consequence
Of loose management Of city affairs.
Then there was the annual political as
sessment of office holders, probably carried
on more daringly here than anywhere else
in the country. Mr.. Cooke has the evidence
to show that nearly S5,oOo,o00 was collected
for political purposes from city and county
employees of Philadelphia is less than dec
ade. The schedule OF assessment rates
were One per cent on salaries OF 5000 and
under; IL per cent. on salaries from $1,000
to $500; per cent. on salaries from $4,000
to $4,000; per cent. on salaries from $4,000
to $4,000. and 4 per cent. on salaries of $4,000
and over.
But with the Blankenburg Administration
the clock of municipal crookedness stopped
short, and, It is to be hoped, never to run
again.
The rascals have been weeded out, one by
one. 1t takes time Besides, the newcomers
at the head of the departments were not
building up an independent political ma
chine. They simply tried to get the city on
a business basis. That a man belonged to a
political organization was not deemed suffl-
cient cause for his discharge. He must do
his work for the city we'll; he must be hon
est, and loyal to his immediate superiors; he
must put in full time-these were the re-
quirements OF the present administrative
heads at City Hall
For a time the contractor overlords
watched the program OF the Blankenburg
Administration with curious disinterest It
was not until they heard some OF their very
underlings standing up for the new order
that they decided to inaugurate reprisal in
Councils.
Bettering tho condition OF the city's em-
ployes Is not popular with Jim McNichol and
the Wares. There is a tinge of Russia in
1.-THE Organization" The little fellows must
be kept to know their places The opening
of free municipal reference library in Room
507, City Hail. was hooted at over in 18th
street. Lectures for the highway inspectors
and other employees were greeted with sneers
from the ward leaders ofice-holders were
instructed to keep away from these meetings.
It would not do TO have them know too
much. Anyhow. they . should not be
"teached" by the flake reformers"
But in spite of all this opposition the task
Of bringing the various departments up to
their highest possible effectiveness has gone
steadily forward. There being no axe to
grind but the public interest. the Blanken-
burg officials have worked along In the su-
preme hope that Philadelphia would see for
itself how the contractor overlords are tho
common enemy.
A remarkable incident Of the housscleaning
In the Department of Public Works was the
finding by Mr.. Cooke OF a certified check for
$1,000 that had been hidden for six years in
some old papers OF a safe The check was
deposited TO the credit OF the city, and MOO
was paid by the bank for interest. Through
this discovery It was found that other mon
eys had been paid to the Bureau OF Water
which had not reached the city treasury.
For the benefit Of the thieves we may state
they are protected by tho statute OF limi-
tationa
Showing how Councils represents the con-
tractor overlords and not the people, is it's
failure to authorize the change in lighting OF
II, 900 street lamps that were found to be
located on gas mains They are now gaso-
line lamps and cost $3.50 each 20 light. Let
Councils act and It win cost $3.50 to light
them. ana the city win be saved over $4,000
a year. The gas company is obligated under
its contract to make the connection OF the
lamps with the mains. But Councils blocks
This is only one instance There are hum
dreds.
Director Cooke. IN spite OF every handicap.
has made q saving for the city OF upward OF
100000 on three lettings OF the garbage con-
tract. He has reduced the expenses OF the
Water Bureau between 100000 ana 100000
He has saved $4,000 yearly In the cleaning
of City Han. and has driven the spike OF
protest into the contracting methods of
Edwin ii. Ware at League Island Park BY
tying up the payment Of 100000 claimed for
work Improperly done
EIsanwhils Philadslphia 4 getting ne best
a. -