Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-21

item before he makes up his mind on it
He said:
1.-THE day the newspaper editors were
all I'm a conference in my office that ques-
tion came UP and Director Webster told me
later that he had all tho data in his office
or knew where 1t could be got. asked
Senator Ware about it in Augusta and
he told me former Director Cooke would
have paid the money but for a council.
manic fight which developed then But
as TO why Trainer is kicking. you'll have
to ask him." the Mayor smiled and waited
for the next question.
why are Finance Committee Chairman
Gaffney and City Solicitor Connolly silent
on the old question of enabling legsa.
ton for constitutional amendments?'
"CoNNELLY FEARS NOTHING"
II don't know that they are especially
silent. a great many lawyers, Messrs
Gaffney and Connolly among them. have
talked TO me lately on that subject and
the opinion of all was that no enabling
legislation was necessary
Does Connolly hesitate to give an
opinion on the question raised by former
City Solicitor Ryan relative TO the legal
ity of the loan?"
81 wasn't aware that Mr.. Connolly was
afraid of anything. lie has not been
asked for an opinion on the legality of
the loan"
THE LOANS CHANCES.
Have you heard that the loan will he
attacked because all activities started un-
der Mayor Blanltenburg are not included
in the unfunded debt items in the loan?'
NO, l had not heard that and 1 don't
believe 1t has any basis in fact. | was
under the impression all had been in
clUded. I'm not sure. but / couldn't recall
at this moment any that had been left out.
However my answer to that question is
No"
What do you think of threats made
by outlying wards to defeat the loan At
the polls Unless assured of better transit
out 0t thu S35OO0 600 for that purpose"
The question is premature, for | don't
think there ought " be a kick over thing
until Il has been made clear, and | don't
see why the outlying wards, which you
mention. should make threats until they
know what they are going to get and until
Director Twining's plans are given out
complete they won't know.
III such threats have been made 1t in
stances fine case of crying before you're
hurt and If such action should follow
IN the line of the threat as alleged, l
should simply say it would be typical
dogin-the-maRger procedure"
IF THE LOAN FAILS"
"Do you. believe at this time the loan
VIII De passed III lllilt w iloti bOllhH bt"
fore the close of your first year in Office"
"Yes. | believe 1t will be passed and
approved at the primaries in May"
What position will you be in If the
loan fails?"
"I'l be in the position of every sincere
thinking Philadelphia I'll be disappointed
But remember the defeat of the loan bill
won't be my funeral | won't be hurt
personally. The situation is simple, Ger
IA iTnDroyamentg needed. / have
outlined things that ought TO be done.
One doesn't need to explain that to make
improvements costs money.
"The loan bill will be designed to pro.
vide a way of paying for improvements
much needed There has been much talk
about how badly needed they We're. Now,
if there was any sincerity behind the talk
IL will be shown by the approval of the
loan bill, when II comes before the peo.
pie. | don't consider my position will be
any different whether it passes or fails,
81 was elected Mayor to try to do for
the people what they want, 1t is not up
TO me to make them want thing my
duty ends when l give them what they
want, or at least try TO, the best l can.
If they show they don't want thing, that
ends IL; won't try TO make them take
II. That's the way 1 look at the loan bill.
It's up to the people. They may have
exactly what they want"
The Mayor let loose bit OF informa-
tion regarding his personality when he
confessed this:
I'm this kind of fellow" he said, I'm
slow TO make up my mind. like to know
a thing inside and outside before l reach
a decision, Just like any business man
would When I've decided I'm pretty
sure of myself. But even then | would
not say my decision was unalterable. Only
fools make up their minds never to change
them. I'd rather be classed with the
wise men"