Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-13
MEIGS rs APPOINTED
TO SUCCEED NORRIS

| Continued from Page One
of the Penn Bridge Company. Principal
Assistant Engineer in United States
Engineer Office, Baltimore and Phia-
delphia.
may follow the unexpected resignation of
Mr.. Norris agitated political circles at
| City Hall today.
Mr.. Norris has been the chief financial
adviser of the administration and was
one Of the principal tacticians in the con-
ference between the city and railroad Of
ticials that resulted in the agreement for
the S20,OOOOO project of grade-crossing
elimination in the southern section of the
city. He has been responsible for the
planning that has resulted in great de-
velopment for the docking facilities Of
the city.
There is further speculation whether re-
cent incidents in the fight for better
transit facilities may not have been re-
sponsble in measure for Mr. Norris
determination to resign from the Blanken-
burg cabinet to devote his entire time to
the campaign for better housing condl-
tions in Philadelphia. He is president of
the Philadelphia Housing Commission.
Mr.. Norris has been an ardent advocate
for the Taylor transit plans and in pub
lie meeting for transit at the Academy OF
Music aroused the ire of Edward 7.
Stotesbury by interpreting the financial
phases of the transit question in the light
that the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Com
pany's directors were unwilling to coop
crate in fultilment of the Taylor plan.
e. 7. Stoesbury, who was then in Palm
Beach, sent Mayor BlankenburG a rather
acrimonious telegram declaring that he
considered his personal integrity assailed.
Mr.. Stotesbury is chairman of the p. r.
Nj rH nf Itksan fNN.E all al,
friend and adviser OF the Mayor. The
final telegram from Mr.. Stotesbury to the
Mayor conveyed the blunt statement that
he would discuss the affair with the
Mayor privately upon his return, but
would not enter conference that included
either Director Norris or Director Taylor.
The Mayor did not declare that he would
not agree to such conference, and, al
though it is said such conference has
doubtless been held since Mr. Stotes-
oury's return, there has been no public !
statement made regarding the decisions
reached at the conference.
JEALOUS IN HOUSING CAMPAIGN.
Despite the fact that Mr.. Norris has
been in rather poor health for some time, |
ne has plunged vigorously into the cam |
paign for better housing in support of |
the act of 1913, which has been under fire
in Councils and in the Legislature ever
since its enactment
1t was largely due to Mr.. Norris's eff
forts that the Gransback bill multiplying
the existing housing code and establish
ing a ''toothless" measure had a. very
stormy voyage through the Common
wealth's legislative halls and was finally
vetoed by Governor Brumbaugh
MI MOTIFS asserted today that he would
devote his entire energies to the cam
palsn 10 obtain from Councils compro-
nises on the 1913 housing measure while
the Legislature is still in session. He
will be active in endeavoring TO learn
whether concessions in the existing bill
can be made without jeopardizing the
health of the populaae In congested tene-
ments and still meet the approval of the
Organization leaders.
Mr.. Norris is a Democrat, although al
ways Identified with independent forces
for reform measures. Some politicians
have voiced the belief that he would be
a mayoralty possibility in the coming
although he has not been in the
central activities of the local Democratic
party lie was chosen, however by Pres
dent Wilson for place on the Federal
Reserve Board In this city as a repre-
sentative Democrat and capable financier.
MT, Norris has been a banker and was
formerly member of the firm OF f. u.
smith & Co. He consented reluctantly to
become member of the cabinet OF Mayor
as he had planned to de-
'ote some time to foreign travel with his
wife at the time that Mayor Blankenburs
vas elected.
HOUSING IN CRITICAL STAGE.
Mayor Blankenburg announced that he
las with extreme reluctance accepted Di-
ector Norris resignation, realizing the
work in connection with
lousing that Director Norris wishes 10
pursue.
Director Norris said he believed mat
ers concerning housing in this city We're
low at a crucial stage. He pointed out {
hat he became president of the Housing /
before he became Director Of | /
he Dock Department.
Mr.. Norris Is the third director to rs-
ign from the cabinet Of Mayor Blanken- i
urg. The other two resignations were I
4 the Department OF Health and Char I
lies, where Doctors Joseph 8. Mem ana
Iichard H. Harte resigned successfully.
'octor Neff resigned because OF M
ealth. Doctor Harte resigned because
friction developing after he had
aoWn no unWillingness to having Philip
|. Johnson. perpetual architect Of tue /
saith Department. draw the plans Tor 4 !
eU SS.e0oea9 Philadelphia General Hos 1
ItaI +