Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-28
LEGTSLATORSPASS
SCHOOLSHIP BILL
Action Brings Campaign
Led by Evening Ledger
Nearer Success
CITY WILL PROVIDE CASH

An important step toward restoring Phila-
oelphia 10 it's old time position among
American seaports was taken today when
the Legislature passed the Ware bill APP
propriating $50, 900 for the re-estabiishment
Of the Pennsylvania Nautical School at his
port.
The bfIi carries the stipulation that Phila.
delphia City Councils must provide similar
fund for the proposed school, but as Mayor
Smith and all the city's active and pro-
eressive officials have approved the plan
there is no doubt that the money will be
supplied.
Mayor Smith and several leaders in
Councils are particularly anxious to have
the Nautical School organized without de-
lay, so that the question Of funds will
probably come up when Councils get down
10 business at the close Of the summer
vacation.
Passage Of the bill In the Legislature
ended a vigorous campaign under the
leadership Of the EVENING LEDGER.
Championing the cause Of the "Phiadel.
delphia Port" the EVENING LEDGER in It's
efort TO win the support OF the Legislature
emphasized the pressing need for such an
Institution by advancing the argument that
"a port without native shippers cannot
succeed"
Until rve years ago the port boasted Of
nautical training ship, and the Saratoga,
formerly in the naval service, proved it's
usefulness as a school ship.
Scores OF young men were trained to the
sea aboard the Saratoga and today are
playing an important part in the merchant
marine. The discontinuance of the school
proved a heavy loss TO the city when the
European War made such demands upon
American shipping.
The call for ships was answered by the
shipbuilders, but the shortage of trained
10 be a more serious problem than the Gre
alton Of a great fleet.
Then the United States entered the war
and made plans to build fleet of 1000
ships Each vessel must have captain,
three mates. and no fewer than two quarter
masters.
Shipping men admitted that developing a
force of trained seamen was greater prob
lem than building the ships and made II
plain that Philadelphia, inasmuCh II was
turning out vessels, should go a step
further and turn out men to command them
They admitted the shortsightedness Of the
city in permitting the Saratoga to be
abandoned as a schoolship and urged inn
mediate action on the part of the city
toward the re-establishment of the school,
Steamship owners, yachtsmen, city Of
Gcias and veteran sea captains, many OF
them graduates Of the old nautical school,
voiced their approval Of the plan and under
the leadership Of the EVENING LEDGER,
carried their demands TO Harrisburg.
Approaching that the re-establishment Of
the school was necessary not only as a war
measure but in the general plan of de-
Weeping the port OF Philadelphia, the Legs-
iature passed the bill.
Although nothing definite concerning
training methods can be determined until
the city provides the funds necessary to
complete the project II is probable that a
ship more modern than the Saratoga will
be pressed into service for the training Of
men who will he called upon to man the
feet Of merchantmen now under construc-
ton.