Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-04
WHO HOLDS THE BAG?

1SRIE owner Of a $4,000 house will have to
Ray tax of ss4 next year. His tax
hem Mayor Smith entered Office was
ktor Penrose propheses that tho tax
{ the owner OF $4,000 house will be
before the term of the present Mayor
kss.
ne conditions must be endured until
hey can be cured.
They cannot be cured until their cause
10 clearly understood.
Y Now. what is the cause? II is easy
enough to say that it is contractor govern
4 Wont It is still easier to say that it is
-(3ang" rule. But both of these explana-
1,ons are superficial. The cause lies deeper
0.an either. It lies in the tying up of the
xnnnicipal government to the wheels of the
protective tariff chariot by important busi-
uess interests. These interests support the
Rspublican organization in the Common
wealth and the organization that goes by
the name of Republican in Philadelphia in
order that they may obtain such a tariff
- they desire.
lx0uVo have no quarrel with the protective
tar3f and we have no quarrel with busi-
ness men who support the Republican
party as national organization committed
- the protection of American industries.
Al protective tariff intelligently levied has
peejty and development. But we have
= quarrel with those business interests
vbsch are willing to sacrifice the gov
mt Of this great city to the greed
~ - organized conspiracy Of political
4sunderers masquerading under the name
- Hepublicanism, interests that have thus
IN willing to pay abnormally heavy
1oeal taxes on their property for the reason
tho* the prosperity which they enjoy under
This is a democracy, but there is no use
blinlring the fact that the disgraceful local
conditions are consented TO by small
group of protected business interests. If
fhoee interests should withhold their fnan-
ciai support from the local political or.
cnchixation and should demand efficiency
nnd economy secured through tho nomina-
kficu and election of men to Office who would
Zdisnharge tho holders of snecures and
lnaist on an honest dollars worth of work
~ every dollar spent, reform would come
olnaost overnight.
IN ylefcrm can be brought about by an up
7l11ng of the householders, those who feel
ythe heavy burden of increasing taxation.
" beginning was made in the last election
W6on there was a revolt against govern
INT by murder as an incident in govern.
1ord work to organize the people into a
o1&npact voting body opposed to the present
systsm. There are 14,0 0bo placeholders in
the present city COVER ment fighting for
their Jobs.
4 hut tho business interests through whose
1bIerance the city is looted can. if they
ohocse, bring pressure to bear upon the
polItical leaders and force an Improvement.
Xghother an increase in their tax bills next
of 36 on every $1,000 of assessed valu-
>o Of their real estate will make the
&1&ot nerve twitch sufficiently to move
remains to be seen.
b me poor man with n $4,000 house is
~ ~ for revolt if he sees any prospect Of
4 oroving conditions. VIII gthe big men
lo ought to lead show him the way? Or
they continue to sit in their clubs in
font to the disgrace of city that
"a be governed with the kind of hon.
and economy which have brought
1nnial success in private business?