Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-06
No. xv-~1F WE CAN KEEP IT"

agent. He, like other officials Of the Blanken-
burg administration, has sublime faith that
the people will find out for themselves the
value of a good public servant
If Councils would only appropriate the
money needed for the Department of Sup
plies for n full year still further savings
would be made by Mr.. Loeb. Then and only
then, could advantageous contracts be made
with reputable business concerns for supplies
to last 12 months Again we find Councils
hindering better government.
In the Department of Public Safety, pre-
sided over by a highly conscientious and able
young man, Director George d. Porter we
find not one, but a dozen real accomplish
ments for the people. The training school
for police service, together with the three
platoon system and the careful drill and in
spection service, feature of improve
ment that has helped raise the efficiency,
appearance and comfort of the police.
There is no graft in the police department,
and the city is cleaner than It ever was with
respect to the handling of the social evil and
the elimination of speakeasies and gambling.
Citizens know this. They don't have to go
to any ward leader for the information.
Mr.. Porter in the conduct of the Bureau
OF Fire has also shown special excellence.
He has reduced the average fire loss. Ham
pered by rotten hose bought in the closing
days of the Reyburn administration and an
obsolete equipment, he has made marked
progress. Although his efforts in the public
veal have been blocked at every turn by
Councils, Director Porter can we'll be proud
of the showing he has made.
1t is the same in the Department Of
Wharves Docks and Ferries, the Department
of Public Works and other important
branches of the municipal service. All are
giving something In the way of actual efforts
to the taxpayers and they constitute the
seed plot, the nursery OF better government.
Those who are engaged in the great work Of
municipal house-cleaning can afford to let
the cynic amuse himself, for workers know
that cleaning tho sewers abates malaria and
burning the nests causes the rats to evac-
uate.
Ever pause to think that the facts views
and motives which are revealed to the read
ers of this newspaper may not be familiar to
tho readers OF countless other newspapers of
equal good intent, but different methods of
presentment7 Each publication has a per-
feet right to feel that It alone has the proper
understanding of the needs OF the public.
Besides, writer's as we'll as speakers accus-
toned to being frank with themselves are
aware that many OF their readers and listen
ers may have a large personal interest in
the subject up for discussion It is obvious
that the workingman finds his chief solace
in the columns that advocate only better pay
and shorter hours while the employer halls
as his very own the editorial page that Inn
poses constant restrictions upon organized
labor.
But when It comes to the taxpayer, a plano
haa oil
feel the shoulder touch. That is why the
struggle to give Philadelphia better govern
ment deserves, first, the close attention and
second, the support OF undivided people
Hero is a case where those contractor over
lords whose sole business II is to direct the
taxpayers how to vote must march to the
rear They may NIL the state and Federal
oIices with men who are loyal to them first
and the people afterward, but when It comes
to the municipal ofioes, the centralized extra
legal government OF the contractor overlords
can bs broken down. For the people have
tho close opportunity for self-study of the
local problem TO get first-hand information
by word OF mouth and plenty OF time-a
whole year.
The real test of our ability as a municipal
ity is to Judge Of the evidence before u.s.
Every political group worthy of the name
has right wing of conservatism and a left
wing OF radicalsm. There is also a middle
division. From one OF these three bases one
can applaud such hopes in municipal better
government as have turned out TO be reali-
ties Approval OF the right and denunoiation
OF the wrong Is not leaving ones political
party.
One can always think quietly, talk II all
over with a good neighbor and now and then
write letter to ones favorite newspaper,
setting free the frank opinion OF the indi-
viduRl. The editor may seem austere, but,
friend taxpaysrs-here is a seeret-your LETT
ter when It comes is meat and drink to him
For. after all. public opinion Is made in the
homes OF the readers. Newspapers arc but
great ears pushed far forward on the head
OF civilization strainins to catch ths first
sounds OF a public wish and then below Il
forth In mssaphone tones. Writers only
strive to hold magnitying glass on passing
events, and now and then they throw their
picture on too large a screen. and II blurs
and hickers. But the outline Is there for
even the most distant 10 see.