Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-26
THE MAYOR AND THE MILLIONS
City America Ever Held Personal Respon-
sbiity Comparable to Mr., Smiths for the Dis
posal Of Vast Sums

TN SIGNING the measures appropriate
i ing loan moneys and carrying the en-
abling clauses which place vast sums at
the disposal of municipal heads, Mayor
Smith this week puts himself in the posi-.
ton OF having direct control of $114,.
525, 900. In addition to this staggering SUM
the Mayor has or will have control of at
least $15,ooo.oo of loans authorized in
years past but not yet expended or
fioated. Add to these sums between $780,
900 900 and $40. 100000 that will be needed
for operating expenses each year of the
four OF his administration, and the Mayor
looms up as a financial power second to
few this nation has ever known.
Mayor Smiths present position has no
parallel in any American city. The pres
ent big financial deals only partly tell the
story, as plans are already being con.
sidered for future loans to include mil.
lions for a sewage disposal system. mil
lions more for extensions to the clty's
water system and at least $5.0o0o0o for
a new Philadelphia General Hospital.
Never before in the history OF Philadel-
phia has any Mayor OF any party been
in excess of SIC. 900 900, and loan of such
size, when authorized not many years ago.
was considered most unusual In years
past loans ranging from $4,000,OoO to
$11, 100000 were considered big undertake.
ings, and when two or more loans were
authorized in any twelvemonth such ac-
ton was considered a feat woRth many
columns Of newspaper comment. These
operations, in view of the big expendi
lures planned for the next three years
and half, dwindle into comparative In
significance and will be more or less lost
sight of in the future financial history Of
the city.
In the Mayors Grip
In gauging the power of Mayor Smith
with such tremendous resources back OF
him, 1t must be remembered that he now
has absolute control of the largest sum Of
money that city fnanciers ever in their
widest dreams thought OF placing at the
disposal of one executive. His grip on
the situation is best demonstrated by the
fact that legislation placing s57, 600
in the hands Of the Department of Tran
sit, 10000 900 credit TO the Department
Of Wharves. Docks and Ferries ana mil
lions more at the disposal OF other de-
partmsnts. means that not one cent can
be spent before the Mayor lends his
approval TO even the least important
turns In the deal, 1t is true that Coun.
ellis have In some instances. notably In
the case OF Director Twining, OF the De-
partment Of Transit. lent their power Of
creating positions and fixing salaries to
members of the Mayors Cabinet. This
was done SO that present working forces
could be greatly augmented and the new
places paid for out or the loan moneysi
but Il must be remembered that every
Director invested with appointive power
is directly responsible TO the Mayor and
that before cres ting new places and FIX
ing salaries the Mayor must be consulted
and must give his approval.
At this time no estimate OF the moneys
to be spent on new positions made neces-
sary by the vast municipal undertakings
now under way or about to be started can
be made. but OF course the money ex-
pended in this way Is not to be compared
with the tremendous sums TO be laid out
in contract letting. In the letting Of con-
tracts the Mayors great power Is again
evident. as It is to him that all contracts
must be sent after they have been ON
clally approved by departmental heads.
He win be the final court Of review. and
no work win be undertaken until he has
approved.
Ths two great political factions OF the
Republican Organization are controlled BY
i've u the largest municipal contraetora