Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-08
Sl'HOOLSHIP FUND
MAY HAVETO WAIT
Councils Seek Money for
Appropriation, but With
Little Hope
HEAVY DEMANDS FACED
Urgent Calls for 100000 AL
ready and Only Half That
Available

Ready 10 back the Pennsylvania nautlca
school program as prepared In a bill that
has passed the State Senate, members OF
Councils today faced financial demands that
they asserted would prevent any appropria-
tlon for the school until next fall With
demands totaling well over f1,S00,00O and
with about half that sum available, they
said many city needs would have TO 20
unsntished
City officials today agreed that the school
ehIp measure was most important in view
Of theNfact that the nation had embarked
upon q shipbuildng program never be-
fore equaled In the history OF the world.
Ihoueands of steel and wooden ships VIII
Be built by the nation 10 combat the German
submarine campaign Thousands OF new
officers will be needed TO navigate this Gov
srnment's mammoth new food and muni-
tions fiotilla- The Pennsylvania nautical
school would soon be in n position TO play
large part in supplying trained OFFICERS
for the new fleet In addition, officials
pointed TO the almost certain great develop
nnent Of the American merchant marine
IN the next two or three years. This
growth will add 10 the demand for trained
ships oficers
LOAN SEEMS LIKELY
Although Chairman Gaffney, Of Councils
Finance Committee, still hopes TO prevent
fall loan, the certainty of the need for a
temporary loan of S1,200,000 In October or
November is doubted only by a very few
Of those larger few who are familiar with
municipal finances. This loan when hoated
becomes a first lien on 1918 income and
must be paid within four months Of crea-
tion. As such a len II reduces materially
the amount OF moneys available for appro-
priation for the third year Of the Smith
administration.
Az the establishment Of a nautical school
At this port Is considered in the light OF
n nd hac or /
Mayor Smith. Chairman Gaffney and every
Important political and business interests In
the city the fund needed probably will
be among the first taken from a temporary
loan. Friends OF the movement have not,
however. abandoned hope OF pushing
through an appropriation for the school 10
become effective this year. The State meas
ure appropriates $4,000 for the school,
provided the city appropriates a similar
amount yearly for two years.
When bill TO provide financial aid for |
. nautical school was first introduced some
weeks ago, IL was thought that $4,000 |
a year would be sufficient for the city TO |
put up. The bill. it is now understood is |
20 be for $4,000 TO comply with the State |
provision. This appropriation. however. is |
only for single year and when passed It |
VIII be with the understanding that the |
city assume the ,,fqancial burden for as |
many years TO come as conditions neces-
state.
SITUATION is ACUTE
With the city bureaus demanding ST.
100000 in Public Works alone. the financial
problems of the city have reached an acute
stage that make planned highway improve
nents and other badly needed improve
nents very uncertain. In view Of this fact
rouncils will not willfully assume any
further financial burdens before the sum-
mer recess.
Chairman Carney, OF Councils Finance
Committee, Mayor Smiths most trusted
financial adviser. is fully in sympathy with
the plan to re-establish the old school and
70 secure a proper schoolship for detail
10 the port of Philadelphia. He. like many
another worried municipal flnancier. has
assured those In favor of prompt action
IN the school appropriation that II there
8 any possible way to find the money"
the appropriation will be put through
specially II 1t meets the approval OF
Governor Brumbaugh.