Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-08

AAAH AiNAN AutbuhNs
Hearty Endorsement Of the movement
70 get the convention here was given BY
Congressman-at-Barge John r. X. scott.
Mr. Scott said:
The movement to bring the National
Republican Convention to this citv is n
splendid one. Philadelphia is the most
loglcal place for such n gathering.
AS the first step toward inducing the
Ieaders OF the party to select this cItv
| should suggest the erection of a great
convention hall l have no particular
,Vcatlon ,,,. IN mind, but know that unless
lhe auditorium is to be roomy and conn-
lortaole' our plea for the convention
would be useless. Philadelphia now has
no bul ding of sufficient size
Ihe construction Of the meeting place
"aNlhg Deen assured I would suggest the
appointment Of n committee of prominent
business and professional men capable
OF tmpressing the entire country with the
auNantageS of our city as a convention
polnt' such action was taken when the
convention that nominated Mckinley
was brought to Philadelphia. Mavor
AShoridge acted as the committee head
ana procured the cooperation OF men In
all walks of life"
Henry s. Williams, president Of tho
Chestnut Street Business Mems Associa-
ton, while strongly In favor Of having
the convention here. expressed the fear
that Councils, through their delay and
lnactlon on the convention hall plans.
have seriously jeopardized PhiladeIphia's
chances for being selected by the Repub-
lican National Committee,
COUNCILS ASLEEP"
Mr.. Williams said:
Councils alone will be TO blame IL the
Republican National Convention is not
held in Philadelphia in 1916 especially IL
Senator Penrose will use his influence to
have 1t held here.
"In fact, Councils seem to be asleep.
Philadelphia business men and associa-
tlons have called on them and petitloned
them, the Chamber of Commerce has
made vigorous protest against their
seeming indifference, Mayor Blankenburg,
Director Cooke, and many others have
approved the convention hall site at 24th
and Chestnut streets. What has been
the result? What have Councils done?
Nothing, as far as results are concerned.
You can't expect to have national con-
vention here unless you have a CEN
trally located convention hall.
Senator Penrose knows very WE'LL"
Mr.. williams continued, that II will
be useless for Philadelphia to ask the
Republican National Committee to hold
it's convention in this city unless we
have suitable convention hall. He must
sity of having such hall.
philadelphia has all the necessary at
fractions. 1t has the hotels, the theatres
and other amusements, but the necessary
convention hall is certainly lacking
There is still time, perhaps. Councils
should be urged to call special meeting
to act upon the recommendation for the
site at oath and Chestnut streets. 1t has
been indorsed by most of the leading
bushes men of the city and by Mayor
Blankenburg and Director Cooke and
others. And yet Councils, for some rea-
son known only to themselves, have seen
fit to ignore it.
ATLANTIC CITY CITED
"a convention hall, centrally located
and easily accessible. is needed not
only for such a national gathering, but
also for business conventions. Look at
the conventions held in Atlantic City.
Philadelphia must be indeed slow when
it will allow business men from the
West and Middle West to pass right
through Philadelphia to hold conventions
in Atlantic City. Is Philadelphia a
suburb of Atlantic City or not? 1t is
indeed a hard criticism of Philadelphia
enterprise.
80 far as the Republican National
Convention for 1916 is concerned, there
would be little difficulty in raising the
funds. AS for the hail. the
plans are drawn and in 10 months fine
building could be erected. The site is
near all the central hotels, near the
stations, within a few minutes
walk of the University of Pennsylvania.
The point is that Councils must take
action and make an appropriation for the
purchase of the site"
Quick action on the part of Councils
for the final selection of a proper site
for the new convention hall and the
erection of the building itself. were
urged by other prominent Philadelphia
business men, who expressed keen inter-
While several refused to make any COM
ment, many agreed in saying they were
in hearty sympathy with having the
in this city in 1916 and that
II would be a great thing for Philadel-
phia.
Frank I. Reiszner, president of the
Market Street Merchants Association,
said
Every Philadelphia business man will
readily admit that It would be a great
thing for Philadelphia to have the Re-
publican National Convention here in
1916
1.-THE Market Street Merchants Asso-
citation has already called upon Senator
Penrose. The matter of raising the |
necessary funds for defraying the eX-
penses OF the convention has already |
been taken UP. AS you know. Phila-
delphia business men offered TO contri- |
quite $4,000 at once to "a 10000 fund II |
Councils passed the ordinance for the |
selection of the site at 24th and Market |
streets before adjournment for the sum-
ner.
PROPOSED SITE IDEAL.
1.-THE site there, think, Is an ideal one.
II would be within easy walking dis
lance of the hotels and theatres. Busi-
less men must realize that, II we want to
get the convention here, we must be able
% offer the best OF facilities for housing
such a convention"
Il. ] Berlet. president of the Walnut
Street Business Association, said:
II am glad to hear that Senator PEN
'ose has begun 10 advocate openly the
of the Philadelphia business
md civic organizations in the campaign
o bring the Republican National Con-
,ention to this city In 1916. With Senator
7enrose's national influence and the en-
huslastic work OF Philadelphia organi-