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

Mayor Blanksnburgs third annual
message submitted to Councils this
afternoon, brought to the attention of
the legislative bodies the demands of
the people for great municipal improve
ments.
Necessity Of providing funds for the
beginning Of transit development and
for the elimination Of grade crossings in
South Philadelphia Is particularly "m-
phasi5ed.
"The financial problems Of the city arc
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 10 provide for them.
Public improvements Of the greatest
Importance to the city we're included in
the ss,sO0Oc0 loan. authorized by popular
vote at the election in November, 1913
and the 1890 900 loan whose submission
to a special election was provided for by
n later ordinance Of Councils.
These particular loans were prevented
by a decision of the Supreme Court
which has, however made clear that the
larger part OF these amounts can nov
be borrowed under a proper ordinance
Mayor Blankenburs points out the
splendid condition of Phladelphia'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.
WANTS WASr'r: AREA RECLAIMED
Realization Of the plan 10 transform
South Philadelphia below oregon avenue
from 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 i'm
portance among the achievements of his
Administration in 1918.
FIT means the realization of improve
ments which have been talked OF for
more than a score Of years" he says.
"It includes the completion of the Belt
Line system and the transfer Of the
terminals of great railroad from point
on the Delaware. whore the development
of South Philadel phia was held in check.
TO point contiguous to League Island,
adding a nov value to this great naval
station.
1T also includes tho acquisition by the
city OF a water front that will enable
US TO build a dozen or more 9p-foot piers
for the accommodation OF large steam
ships, and thus We may realize the hope
TO restore Philadelphia tn Ill former posi-
ton as one OF the great seaports OF the
world
Mayor Blanken0urE calls attention 70
the economies In floating loans, effected
through the efforts Of his administration
by having an act passed by the L"Eisla-
ture making II posslbi" Tor bonds Of An
authorized loan Ia be sold only when
the mcn"% Is actuai'E needed tnuS eject
INK Sa'i''@S N an H''H'"- 'uiIH
charges. All Of the MAYORS requests for
appropriations "ei" Ie'"iI'H 10y tne RI
nance committees
CoT-HcII.S SCORED FOR INACTIVITY
,..,,.,fr. ,r. score5 b,. rho N,a,.o- to,
Iouno''S ''' ,'' WI '''
failure 10 co-opefat" WIN nm IN an ehoIi
TO nut the citys finances on a sound basis
ct ontsred office determined az far a.
.,. 49,. a...
LAY IN my P'"'' ~ - '''s ''''''o'' W '"s
city in such shape tnat the 'paE-as-you-
vo, ,c, could be honestly oDeyed and there
.,,,,.,,sa ro- na,.irr. c,,rr.,, 80,
"ou'i "
penseS ont OF poTr""eu money ne says
MY efforts were NOT seconded by rouu'
ellis and as a result the old unsound sys,
TEN Of res"rung 10 loans 10 pay current
eAp cap psrS'r,,fris,iong have bee, r,ada IL, .
banbazard way and regardless of the
law Actual requirements for the year
have been ignored ana s"meumes the
orElnat app op' 'l a,.n.a
Og tSe money needed.
"'rhe city's income has been inadequate
for its wants, largely owing 10 the fact
as cursory investigation showed, that
the assessment or real estate was un,
lust and inequitable. 4 readjustmenr Of
assessments seemed imperative before tn,
city could be placed in proper f0aucla
condition"
Efforts Of the MAYOR to have NOR,
EQUITABLE assessments made in many in
.tances are declared hy him 10 have bear
accounIished TO some extent in the 1ai
ssssssments
Tbs Navor points out that faiIurs n
,aLn y CorreIIv charles So en-,