Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-17
MAYOR IN MESSAGE
ECHOES DEMAND OF
PEOPLE FOR REFORM
Necessity of Providing Funds
for Transit Development
and South Philadelphia
Improvements Are Espe-
cially Emphasized.

the legislative bodies the demands of
the people for great municipal improve
nents.
Necessity Of providing funds for tho
beginning Of transit development and
for the elimination Of grade crossings in
South Philadelphia is particularly om-
phasized
"Thc financial problems Of the city are
peculiarly the province of your honorable
bodies. and ask for them your early and
careful attention" says the Mayor In his
argument for the great civic betterments.
THE improvements which seemed inn
portant last autumn and winter are even
more urgently needed now, and public
opinion demands that prompt action be
taken TO provide for them
.'Fublic improvements of the greatest
Importance to the city were included in
the SS,5OoOoo loan, authorized by popular
vote at the election in November 1918,
and the sl2,aOooOo loan whose submission
TO special election was provided for by
later ordinance Of councils
These particular loans were prevented
BY decision Of the Supreme Court
which has however. made clear that the
be borrowed under proper ordinance
Mayor Bankenburc points out the
splendid condition of Philadelphia's finan-
cial credit in connection with the fiota-
ton OF municipal loans. 1T Is not known
that any other American city was able
to float four per cent. bonds at par last
year" he says.
A
Realization of the plan to transform
South Philadelphia below Oregon avenue
from a waste area to an Important in
dustrial commercial and residential part
of the city by the elimination of rail-
road grade crossings Is declared by the
Mayor to occupy the place Of first inn
portance among the achievements OF his
Administration in 1918.
1T means the realization of improve
neuts which have been talked of for
moro than score Of years" he says.
at includes the completion of the Belt
Line system and the transfer Of the
terminals Of great railroad from point
on the Delaware, where the development
OF South Philadelphia was held in check,
to a point contiguous to League Island.
adding a new value to this great naval
station.
city of a water front that will enable
us TO build a dozen or more 9nO-foot piers
for the accommodation of large steam
ships. and thus we may realize the hope
10 restore Philadelphia TO its former posi-
tion as one Of the great seaports of the
world"
Mayor Blankenhurg calls attention to
the economies in floating loans, effected
through the efforts of his administration
BY having an act passed by the Legisla-
LIT . asf, for FF7Ia .r
authorized loan to be sold only when
the money is actually needed, thus effect
ing savings in interest and sinking fund
charges All Of the Mayors requests for
appropriations We're referred to the FL
nance Committee.
COUNCILS SCORED FOR INACTIVITY.
Councils are scored by the Mayor for
failure TO cooperate with him in an effort
70 put the city's finances on a sound basis
81 entered Office determined as far as
Law in my power 10 put the finances Of the
city in such shape that the 'pay-as-you-
20 act could be honestly obeyed and there
would he no excuse for paying current ex-
penses ont of borrowed money" he says
my efforts were not seconded by Coun-
ellis and as a result, the old unsourd sys-
tenn of resorting to loans TO pay current
expenses still exists,
haphazaTd way and regardless Of the
law Actual requirements for the year
have been ignored and sometimes the
original appropriations in the snnua!
budget have not amounted 10 onc-quarter
of the money needed,
THE city income has been inadequate
for It's wants, largely owing TO the fact
as a cursory investigation showed, that
the assessment OF real estate was uu-
lust and inequitable. A r-adjustment Of
4 inn. vf,sl Is.sT. .Fl-.
city could be placed I'm proper financial
condition
equitable assessments made in many iD-
stances are declared by him TO have been
accomplished 10 some extent in the 1914
assessments.
The Mayor points out that failure OF
John P. Connolly, Charles Seger and
Harry J, Trainer TO sign the report OF
the advisory committee on municipal
finances, which he asserts. would have
established modern methods NJ assess
ment is responsible for preventing the
submission of the report to Councils.
AS a result Of this lack OF cooperation
on the part OF the men whom the MAYOR
declares, voted for the report, the old
schemes Of assessment prevail.
VICIOUS SYSTEM OF OFFICE HOLD
ING.
The practice Of office holders serving in
Councils is declared by the Mayor 10 be
against all good Government policy The
vicious character OF this practice, /,
seems TO me, should be recognized with
out any argument BY everybody who has
the real interests Of the city at heart
he says.
Many of the Office holders of the county
occupying places in Councils are declared
by the Mayor to represent political ma
chine and to take orders not from a con,
stituenCy OF taxpayers but from the men
who placed them in office.
Men who have no ostensble means OF
support except the salary Of a position
conferred upon them by a political boss
should never be allowed 70 hold seats in
Councils" the Mayor asserts.
The Mayor voices his resentment In his
report Of the interfereuces OF Councils
with the members of his cabinet In abol-
ishing the once Of Assistant Director Of
the Department OF Public Safety ard at
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