Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-07
DIRECTOR ZIEGLER
TAKES UP DUTIES
OF HIS NEW POST
Meets Heads of Department
Bureaus and Says He Will
D e cid e All Official
Questions.

DR.. Samuel Lewis Zlegler, the newly
appointed Director of Public Health and
Charities, was formally introduced to
the various bureau chiefs of his depart
ment today by Mayor Blankenburg. The
new Director appeared at the Mayors
office this morning, and with the Mayor
and his secretary, Cyrus d. Foss, went
to the offices of the department.
DR.. Frank Woodbury. and Bromley
Wharton, of the State Board of Chari-
ties, with other officials of that and other
health organizations and many of his
medical friends, called at the office today
to congratulate Doctor Ziegler on his
appointment and to wish him success.
The new director said he would follow
the plans o fhis predecessor, DR.. Richard
H. Harte, in the distribution OF the $4,000
appropriated by Councils for emergency
relief. He would not go into details until
he had had time to study the ordinance,
he declared. and to become familiar with
the technicalities of the matter.
Director ziegler also declined to be
drawn into discussion OF any other phase
of his new position. When asked IL he
would run the department himself or
would accept suggestions he countered by
saving he always would be willing to
listen to suggestions, but that he alone
would make final decision upon them.
BY request of Mayor Blankenburg, AS
sistant Director Alexander M. Wilson,
who resigned yesterday when the Mayor
asked him TO, is remaining in his office.
He will stay at his desk until Director
Ziegler appoints a successor to help the
new Director to- become familiar with
the routine of the department.
Director Ziegler said the future would
have to take care. of itself when asked
IL he contemplated the reappointment of
son also declined to talk. The Director
said he would not enter into any con-
troversy when asked his opinion of the
difference between former Director Harte
and Director Cooke over Architect John
son. He declared in favor of a peace
full administration of his office.
1.-THE tender of the dictatorship of the
Department of Health came to me as a
surprise. Mayor Blankenburs sat here
In my study chair yesterday afternoon
and urged me to take the place, He said
to me, smiling, Now, Doctor, don't be
like the young girl when Tom proposed
and say. "Oh. this is so sudden!"i' told
him that l would not, and accepted his
Offer
every one may rest assured that
shall do nothing TO retard the good work
OF my predecessors and that, II changes
are made In any OF these departments,
they will be made for the sole purpose OF
rGhQeIlnk lIt htpalhAliohihS AAAoAN pAiSiSiN+
81 have been especially interested In
the matter OF housing for many years.
and the creation of that commission met
my heartiest approval shall direct
much OF my personal attention to that
matter But for the present and for
some time to come, doubtless, it will be
my task to search and learn before I
shall be able to take a sure step forward
1.-THE care OF the insane and INDECENT
will receive my constant attention, and
/ shall strive to make all needed i'm
provements as speedily as conditions
permit. ,--.-..l
"At this time l am without definite
policies except the general policy OF max
Ing my department as efficient as II can
be made.
'As TO my politics, in national affairs
have always been a regular Republican,
but in city AFFAIRS / have voted as
wished. for the man who appealed to me
as being the best Of the lot So, you see.
/ go into office free-handed and unprej-
udiced"