Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-28

Mysterious calls by mysterious men on
property owners in the vicinity of 21st
and Race streets. the site for the pro-
posed s2,OOOOO0 marble hail. grab of
the Municipal Court, have taken a new
meaning to those who entertained the
men since the plans of McNichol-Pen-
rose forces have been revealed.
For months before it was even whis-
pered that the Detention House at 22d
and Arch streets, built only six years ago,
was to be abandoned persons who owned
property in the path Of the grab have
been asked to tell what they would sell
for. Sometimes the agents" have said
they represented the city, but more often
they have come from persons who did
not want to figure in the transaction
until 1t was closed"
No one knows who these men are. But
they have been unsuccessful in most
cases, as the neighborhood is made up of
thrifty people who saved until they had
enough to buy a home and who intend
sticking to it despite alluring offers to
sell.
No one connected with the land grab
will admit having thought of the 2lst
anu IuCc SlIeclS property DelOTC lHc Gnu
of last May. But the visits of the mys-
terious men began a long time before
that.
VAGUE METHODS OF AGENTS.
Most of the property owners along
Winter street tell the same story. They
have been approached very warily and
questioned vaguely as to wnat they
thought about selling and how much
they would want for their lots. They
knew nothing of the Municipal Courts
plans and those who suspected there
was anything peculiar in the visits from
agents put it down to the Parkway CON
formations.
Some property owners stopped talking
very quickly when asked if any one had
tried to buy options on their land. OPP
tions, like dead man, tell no tales. it
has been pointed out Records at City
Hall are innocent enough. There is one
exception however.
1t is known that one of the properties
owned by Mrs James =. McNichol, a
four-story brick house at 2O22 Race street,
directly across the street from the Mar
Bile Hail property site, would be en-
HANGED in value in the event of the grab
being perfected 1T is valued now at
$4,000.
Astonishment at the land gra bis being
followed by sharpest criticism among
those familiar with the scheme of the
Municipal Court.
1t was pointed out today that the gang
majority i'm councils was willing enough
to spend millions to house = Municipal
Court less than year old, but that plans
which would be of incalculable benefit to
persons in every part of Philadelphia i'm
the new subway and other transit inn
provements We're being held up and
blocked at every turn.
Councils granted 100000 of the loan bin
money for the Municipal Court but re-
luctantly allowed 100000 for preliminary
work to improve transit only under the
heaviest pressure of public opinion II
was pointed out.
After the revelation Saturday of the
plans to buy nearly an entire city square
and put up buildings worth $4,000, of
fcials connected with the Municipal Court
admitted the truth of the idea as set
forth after Investigations.
ONLY THE "ENTERING WEDGE"
Executive Clerk Fred c. simon, of tho
Municipal Court admitted that the SiOO,Gl
item In the loan bill and the ordinance
passed over the Mayors veto to acquire
a small plot at 2lst and Race streets We're
only the "entering wedges I'm the scheme
to hour the Municipal Court in mag
nifcent buildings on an expensive tract,
1--WE proposed to add from time To tim,
to the MaEdaleu home property said
Simon. "The $1,000 in the loan bill was
to he the basis Of building fund. After
getting the first property We intended
acquiring more by new ordinance until
the plans was carried out
The new House of Detention at 22d and
Arch streets would be abandoned If tho
land grab plans went through. This was
admitted by promoters of the grab
scheme.
The House Of Detention was completed
Cnly six years ago, and II Is sun IN
good condition, according to Mrs. Henry
7. Richardson, wife oi the superlntend-
ent and assistant to him.
THE halls are very crowded during the
court days" said Mrs. Richardson, "an4
the noise Of passing street cars makes II
hard 10 hear In the courtroom. II II We're
not for the court here, We would be aple
10 manage very well.'
When the Juvenile Court was moved
10 the House Of Detention many Of the
Offices on the hrst floor of the building
were turned over 10 probation officers and
other officials. and playrooms and other
quarters for the children had 10 be taken
to the second floor.
we used to be pressed for room to
accommodate the children" said Mrs.
Richardson. DNi since JuQ-t 'blluhn l
has been holding court every day instead
of once each week there is not so much |
PRESENT QUARTERS AMPLE.
A trip through the house fails to show
any signs of crowdinE or serious defects
In the plan OF construction. Children sat
their lessons in class rooms and
everything seemed In excellent order
There are divisions for first Offenders
and second offenders, and the sanitary
arrangements and ventilation systems
are faultess. according to Mrs. Richard
son.
But you are not here on a court day"
she protested when II was pointed out
that the House OF Detention did not seem
70 deserve All the hard things said Of