Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-08
GOOD GOVERNMENT
To the Editor Of the Evenino LsdOcI

To the Editor Of tho Evening Ledger:
Sir-I believe Il is Mr.. Box and the
| coterie OF good citizens laboring with him
| to make Merton a model suburb who ad-
vance the theory that good government be-
| gins at home. What kind of citizen n man
is can be gathered with fair accuracy from
the character OF the community in which he
| lives. and with absolute accuracy II a rec
ord of his activity in promoting the welfare
Of that community Is at hand. Do we not
sometimes take too much interest In ma
tional and international affairs, about which
we know little while neglecting~to take an
active interest In community matters. con-
earning which we ought to know every
thing? The average Philadelphian seems to
be far more concerned about the foreign
policy of the nation than he Is about the
condition Of the streets through which he
must pass every day. It has afforded me
some amusement during the political cam
paign just closed to read the eloquent state
ments of local politicians relative to the
tariff and national honor. although these
same politicians notoriously think nothing
of the honor Of Philadelphia, else long since
they would have seen to II that the streets
were kept clean, hideous trolley and other
wires put under ground and the dust evil
abated.
Many months ago, when you were night
ing for better housing. you quoted local
statesman 70 the effect that poor people
ought not to have bathtubs in their houses,
because they would not know what to do
with them. Yet, a man with such views, II
appears. is considered perfectly competent
10 make laws at Harrisburg or to represent
the interests Of the community In Congress.
Government In Washington. as a matter of
fact, is merely the sum total of government
in all the lesser political units OF the nation.
Bad government In the cities or in the
States can only mean bad government in
Washington. On the other hand. as the
~ "A fry
In efficiency In the conduct of their own
Affairs they incidentally. as a matter Of
course, lift up national government and
make II better.
We are, most OF u.s. proud Of PhiladeI-
pha, as we ought to be- But I sometimes
wonder II the source of our oontentment is
not moro In the past than in the future
Have we made the most of this garden spot
where was nursed the nation In its infancyf
Penn himself had n vision OF q beautiful
city. with plenty of breathing spaces. a city
In which men would delight TO dwell Some
thing OF that purpose has remained ever
since, but II Is moro evident In the suburbs
than In the city proper. After all, pros
perity can mean little unless there is an op-
portunity TO enjoy Il in pleasant surround
ings. We can think better nationally when
we think better locally. sometimes won
der II sordid politics is not the direct result
OF sordid living conditions Men who
breathe pure air and eat clean food and
wear clean clothes generally think cleanly
and honestly. They cannot be driven.
These are random thoughts but they
como TO me on tho afternoon OF this cleo
ton day when my brain Is still In a whirl
as result OF the exciting campaign
through which we have passed. think
there are thousands OF Philadelphians like
myself. man who would welcome strong
leadership OF the sort that would make
Philadelphia hrst and Philadelphia EN-
client First. not In numbers. but In comfort
and facilities and conditions OF life Efficient
In government and In industry. We do not
need reformi We do need common sense In
the conduct Of our common affairs
PRoGREssrvH
PhiiadslphiA. November 2.