Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-08
John w. Lawson, Demo-
crat, Promises HI S
BEST" for Reforms,
but Council Is Against
His Party
Old Organization Con-
trolls Machinery and
G a n n o t Soon Be
Ousted - Plans for
Ports Development
BY CARL F. L. ZEISBERG

BY CARL f. l.. ZElSBERG
WILMINGTON. June s.--John w. Law
son, the silver-hared Democratic Mayor
elect who made wilmington Republicans
spell Organization" with a little "o," is
trying to unite his hands to give this pros
pering wonder city" buslness-like admin
istraton.
In response to a clty-wide clamor for
cleanup in the municipal household, he
said today:
MY hands are tied. But I will do the
best l can"
The shackes which Mayor-elect Lawson
says will make sweeping action impossible
when he assumes office July are Repub-
lcan City Council and the almost impreg-
nabe Street and Sewer Department, which
is "a law unto itself" in Wilmington affairs.
The Council must confirm his appointments,
and the Street and Sewer Department, with
all its qualifications into Wilmington po-
litlcal power, is a relic Of the old regime,
unassailable for the time being
"In view of this situation" said Mr.. Law
son, "I will make no rash promises that
cannot fulfill. A so-called cleanup would
take time"
But, in spite of that, he promises:
"a dollars worth of good government
for every dollar spent" And he Will work
| for:
A higher tax rate.
Garbageless streets.
Better sidewalks.
A big port.
More free music
All this is expected Of the new Mayor
| by the jubilant Democrats, who came into
power through a split in the Republican
| forces They look for big things when
| Mr. Lawson sewers his long standing con-
nection with the Pennsylvania Railroad, OF
which he is the Maryland division cashier
to devote his entire time and attention TO
| city affairs. He will personally audit the
| city's finances and will bring to his new
position all his accumulated experience III
handling money.
| The businesslike conservatism that char
| acterIzed Mr. Lawson throughout his cam
paign gives heart to his followers. When
| he said, II do not want to be Mayor ne
was nominated and elected, and now when
| he says, do not expect too much" he gives
| them promise of a genuine housecleanins
| and the substitution of an efficient admins
| tration on a business mans basis for what
| has been criticized as the mlsmanagement
| Of the organization.
FIRST BLOW TO FOE
Mr.. Lawson's first official duty will be
| the appointment of various city officials
| with which he is empowered Here VIII
| begin his first blows against Repuohcar
control Of city departments.
THE men whom / shall appoint Will be
men who will give the city as straighttor'
ward service as shall give said MT Law
son. IF not they will be replaced by
| others"
The first important appointments to be
made before July / are of successor
to the outgoing member of the Board OIL
| Water Commissioners, the City Solicitor ana
the Mayors personal secretary The water
| Commissioner, whose term expires July l.
is T. Allen Hilles president Of the board
| with whose departure the commission VIII
| come under Democratic control The othei
| members Of the board are Captain Horace
| Wilson a Republican, who will become the
minority member, and w. Griscom COKE,
| Democrat. By August l the city Auultol
must be appointed and In May 1913 ne"
Board of Health will be chosen.
The real stronghold Of the Organizatlor
cannot be attacked until March, 1919, wher
Mr.. Lawson will appoint successor &c
George W. Sparks, Republican head OF the
street and Sewer Department. Then Dem
ocrats believe, the Gordian knot VIII DC
cut and the Mayors hands will be entirely
free For th1 department, long looked upor
oa the citadel of the Republican Organlza
tion because of the patronage control u
commands will then pass into the hands o.
the Democrats. They will have a majority
on the board with Mr.. Sparkss successor
and Andrew l.. johnson, now minority
'nennber Charles j. Rudolph is the 10
nmhlican who will retain his place on thu
board.
Mr.. Lawson, in outlining his plans OF 5i au
ninistration, said that as yet ne was NAM, NJ
capped by lack of time to study the pes