Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-19
MAYOR CRITICISES
COUNCILS FOR GRANT
TO NEW CITY COURT
Allotment of 100000 for
Buildings for Juvenile and
Domestic Relations
Branded as Extravagant.

Mayor Blankenburg sharply criti-
cised Councils in an interview today
for their "extravagance" In alloting
s4o0, 900 of the proposed loan to build
a courthouse for the Juvenile and Do
nestle Relations Divisions of the Mu-
nicipal Court and for passing over his
veto an ordinance condemning property
at 21st and Race strets as site for
the building. He urged that If such
building is erected 1t be located on the
property adjoining the present House
of Detention, so as to keep these
branches together.
The Mayor was in fine spirits and APP
parently in good health. He said:
"I think the Municipal Court is en-
tirely too young to go into such ex-
travagance. We want to find out what
the Court is like and see what 1t can
do, and then make some general COM
prehensive plan for providing 1t with
a courthouse.
ut seems to me absurd, in fact
little cheeky, especially after the eN-
travagant extremes they went to in
appointment OF tipstaves In that mat
ter they houted public opinion. l don't
know that the Municipal Court Is en-
titled to any better quarters than the
Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions and
other courts. You know what poorly
ventilated, congested and dark condi-
tions some of those courts are in.
"The House of Detention was built In
1906 and 1907. There seemed at that time
ample room. In fact, more than was
needed. l was County Commissioner at
that time. and had charge of erection of
this building.
PRESENT QUARTERS AMPLE.
Philip H. Johnson was the architect
and his plans were accepted with slight
modification. When II was dedicated
Mayor Reyburn made an address and
persons were present from Chicago, Bos-
ton New York and other places, and they
said there was nothing like 1t in this
country
"All of a sudden 1t is inadequate. If it
is inadequate we should build alongside
of 1t for the Juvenile and Domestic Rela-
tons divisions. l believe IN keeping these
quarters together. The House of Deten-
ton. at 2132 to 2141 Arch street occupies
lot 90 by 102 feet. Adjoining is an 1S-
foot street, called Beechwood. The next
five properties are assessed at S3I 100. in
the following order: 212l. $4,000; 2l23, $500:
2l25. 5000; 2127. $1,000; 2l29. $500. building
could be erected there at a cost of $780,
600. The acquisition of these properties
would give US double the space we now
have.
IT entirely agree with President Nc
Curdy, of Common Council. that If any
additional buildings are erected, that is
where they should be located. That
would keep these branches together with
out great expense. The House of De-
tcntion was built for s165,000 out of an
appropriation of $200,000 We tried to
turn 900 back into the city treasury.
The equipment we provided at the House
of Detention was without blemish.
NEED LESS EXTRAvAGANCE.
Now, what is the use of imposing an
extravaganza of this kind upon the city?
This must have been a sudden inspira-
ton. All of sudden we find the present
quarters are inadequate. Some lnspira-
tions lie sleeping a long time. Let us
have a comprehensive plan about this
whole project. The Juvenile and Domestic
Relations divisions want 100000 court
house for themselves, but We want to
know what they will do.
"The Municipal Court has not made
a good start in public opinion. 1t must
make good first. 1t asks for this amount
OF money now. but nobody knows where
1t will end.
How many years have we been wait
Ing in West Philadelphia and in Torres
dale to get some improvements for the
clty's poor, sick and insane? Now these
people come along and want to gobble
everything in sight. 1t is not fair or
reasonable"
The Mayor became sarcastic in discuss
ing Councils attitude regarding transit.
II am glad that 1t did not require pub
lie opinion to compel them to include
$500 600 in the loan for subway work." he
said II am glad to learn that 1t was
always in their minds that they were
Just joking with the public all the time"