Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-21

ROBERT d. DRIPPS. throw of the contrac-
tor bosses since the great upheaval of 1905,
when he became member OF the old City
party committee in the 22d Ward, of which
Mr.. Porter was chairman He is perhaps best
known now for his work as floor leader OF
the independent forces in Common Council in
the last four years and as executive secre-
tary of the Public Charities Association of
Pennsylvania.
I. In this connection there Is an incident not
heretofore published that throws an interest
ing light on the character of the new Direc-
tor. Since his appointment by Mayor Blank
enburg he has been criticised by Organization
followers for dual offceholding But the fact
is that at his own request Director Dripps
ceased to draw any salary from the Public
Charities Association when he took charge of
the Department of Public Safety And he is
still giving as much time as he can spare to
the association without compensation Of any
kind
The Fight for Reform
Director Dripps has been following Mr..
Porter in various political offices, serving as
chairman of the campaign committees for
the independents, as Common Councilman
from the 22d Ward and now as Director of
Public Safety. But from this 1t must not be
supposed that the new Director is not "his
own man." He has been in the conference
of the leading independents for years. He
has proved time and again his value to the
cause of good government by his ability to
see ahead and his capacity for organization.
Director Dripps first met Mayor Blanken-
burg in the 1907 fight of reformers against
the contract made in that year between the
city and the p. r. T. He served on the Town
Meeting Committee OF is, of which the pres
was ended the "war Horse OF Reform" sent
for Mr. Dripps, it is related, and said to him;
young man, I want to say that one Of
my most pleasant experiences with this COM
mittee has been meeting you. You will be a
force in the fight for reform"
After the Roosevelt sweep of Pennsylvania
in 1912, Mr. Dripps was a member OF the Ex-
ecutive and Legislative Committee OF the
Republican State Convention. captured by
the Progressives. In that committee he
helped draft numerous bills on social legis-
lation, some Of which were adopted by the
1918 Legislature. and others, with changes.
by the Legislature Of this year.
Outside Of Philadelphia Mr.. Dripps is best
known for his exhaustive pamphlet on
methods OF municipal taxation. He wrote
this a member OF Mayor Biankenburg's
I Advisory Committee on Finance. studying
the subject in conjunction with Arthur E.
Post. now a member OF the Federal Reserve
Board. Copies OF this pamphlet are still be-
ting sent for by municipal taxation officials.
The Bureau OF Assessments at New York
ordered 500 copies at the time the report
was issued and then asked for and obtained
permission to use It as an appendix to it's
annual report. Il is said by experts to be
one OF the most thorough publications OF It's
kind IN existence.
In the Public Charities Association. Direc-
tor Dripps has paid particular attention 70
plans for the improvement OF institutions for
the insane IN Pennsylvania He also has
been intensely interested IN prison reform.
He helped secure the improvements that have
been made at the House of Correction. He