Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-01
ing and maintaining roads and pave

ing and maintaining roads and pave
ments.
credit is given to George s. Webster.
chief OF the Survey Bureau for bringing
about the Intended eiectrincation Of the
Germantown and Chestnut Hill branch OF
tho Reading Railway; openings Of various
streets and removal Of many dangerous
Frade-crossings The bureaus most I'M
portant work, IN the opinion Of the
Mayor has been the South Philadelphia
srade-orossing agreement
"TIlt or miss methods" characterized
the conduct OF the Bureau OF Gas and
lighting I'm the past, according to the
Mayor He gives the department credit
FOR changing all this and bringing about
great efficiency
Savings I'm the purchase Of coal constl-
tute the outstanding feature Of the re-
port OF the Department Of Supplies In
this report the Mayor shows that In the
four years Of his administration there mas
been a reduction in purchases OF l54!e5
tons OF coal sufficient to supply OVVVO
families with three tons each.
The Mayor has the following TO say
about the new Housing Bureau:
"The failure OF Councils to put into
operation the housing and sanitation act
of 1919 has been n serious detriment 70
the health and comfort Of the people In
spite OF six messages sent by me to your
honorable bodies nothing was done and
no reasons have at any time been as
signed for THE nonactlon Under the de-
cislon Of the court, Councils we're ordered |
to provide funds for the housing division |
Delay after delay occurred until the year |
closed without any action, thus contihu-
ing much suffering among the poorer
classes OF people, who in vain appealed
for relief through the administration.
PORT RANKS SECOND.
Under the very able administration
Of Director George w Norris and MS
efficient corps Of associates, Philadelphia
has been made during 1914 the second
port In the United states in foreign
trade. both in point of tonnage and
value This is the hrst time in many
years that such has been the case-an-
other demonstration of efficient business
ignoring politics altogether
and simply working for the good OF the
people. with the continuation OF the
excellent improvements made, our wish
may be realized in the near future OF
making Philadelphia one of the greatest
ports on either side of the Atlantic Ocean,
but this can only be done by business
and the exclusion of selnsh
political action.
THE main features in the report Of the
Director OF the Department of City Tran
sit are the following recommended high
speed lines:
Broad Street Subway, with elevated
and delivery loop In the ousl-
ness section.
elevated railway, from Front and
Arch streets TO Frankford
ELEVATED railway via Woodland ave-
nue., to Darby.
"subway-elevated line via the Parkway
to Roxborough.
1.-THE estimated cost Of building these
ines ia SAT 900 OOO and the estimated cost
~ en,,Ipning them is $4,000 900 additional.
"The constitutional amendment provid-
nR for the increase of the city's borrow
ng capacIty by per cent. for transit and
,ort development only has twice passed
he Legislature, and is now ready Tor
he vote of the people. This Will in
,rease the borrowing capacity by ap-
S67, 900 0C0.
TAX RATE MODERATE
"a little calculation will Indicate how
Is the burden imposed upon the
axpayer by loan for so long period
IA 80 years Interest and sinking fund
.harges upon a 50-year loan of S59,OOO,OOO
II 4 per cent can be met by contribu-
ion of three cents q week from every
nan. woman and child during that
,erlod As thus shown in simple figures
he increase in indebtedness required for
,eeded transit facilities does not appear
10 burdensome, especially as the charge
or interest and sinking fund really Is not
.hree cents per capita, for the poor VIII
ave very little Of this charge upon them
md bv far the largest part will be con-
ributed by the well-to-do through taxes
m real estate and on personal property
which constitute the lions share of the
axes"
Considerable space is devoted by the
Mayor to commendation of the work OF
he Civil Service Commission and of the
Art Jury. He also includes In his report
/ summary of the Utilities Conference at
ended by mayors from numerous cities,
of which have been pub
lshed In book form The message prob
IDLY exceeded $1,000 words in length,