Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-29
PENNYPACKER'S
MESSAGE OF 1905
Governor Discusses the Valley
Forge Commission and Private
Corporation Police
rENNypAcKER AuroproGRArny-No. se

the community In every point OF view.
II deleterious substances may be intro.
duced into the human system in the
guise of food. or the supply Of nutriment
TO men. women and children be dlmin.
ished In order that greater profit may
result TO the manufacturer and merchant,
the spirit OF commercalism threatens,
not only the welfare. but the existence
OF the race. On the other hand, the
dread of such results may stimulate
hasty judgment. unjust TO the individual
so charged and injurious in its effects
upon the necessary production and sale
of food supplies. The commissioner has
made an earnest effort to avoid the dan.
gers which lie upon each side of this
problem. and at the same time has en-
forced the laws upon this subject with
zeal and earnestness, IL is safe 70 say,
unequaled anywhere else In the country,
and never before equaled in tho Com
monwealth. The results are gratifying.
not alone as an exhibition of attention to
duty, begun under abuse and continued
under most difficult circumstances, but
the investigations of tho division show
that recently there has been marked
Improvement in tho character OF food
supplies sold in the State. If this has
been accomplished, IL IL an achievement
the Importance of which cannot be over.
estimated. The receipts for fines and
licenses collected by this division during
the last four years are as folows
1901 Observation-Disclosures. SS4,7o5.19
100 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 43635.4l
1903 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 93,i5S.1l
November /. 1908, TO Octo.
Der 81, 1914 ............ 11oOOI.6O
AS at present constituted, the expenses
of the division are in the main paid from
the sums collected for fines and licenses.
This is n system which ought not TO
exist in connection with the work Of any
of the departments. no matter how eff
ciently and honestly they may be con-
Quoted. The Legislature ought to pro-
vide by appropriation whatever may be
necessary to meet the needs Of the divi-
sion, and all collections should be paid
into the State Treasury for the use OF
the Commonwealth.
The details Of the work of the depart.
ments to which no special reference Is
here made will be found In the respective
reports, and upon the whole is being per-
formed in a way to reflect credit upon
the Commonwealth and Justify satisfac.
ton IL not elation on the part OF her
citizens.
Valley Forge Commission
The Valley Force Commission has up
to the present time purchased in all
391 100000 acres Of ground and secured
both the outer and inner lines of In
trenchments, of which the latter have
remained pretty much as they were at
the time of the encampnent of Washing
tons army. The acquisition of these
lands and the establishment there of n
park to be forever maintained and cared
for by the State. where all the people or
the nation may come to gather inspira-
ton from the fortitude OF the fathers,
were very commendable and show Il
proper appreciation of q priceless posses.
sion. Much has been there accomplished
by the commission at comparatively little
expense. Avenues have been laid out
and views improved, so that nowhere In
the country can be found surroundings
more attractive to visitors. The number
OF persons from at home and abroad
who go there is continually and rapidly
increasing. There have hitherto been no
salaried positions in connection with the
commission, but 1t would be well to con-
slider whether the time has not arrived
when provision should be made for the
permanent care Of the park.
During the last session of the Legisla.
ture there were a number Of bills passed
for the erection Of monuments in various
parts Of the State and upon battlefelds
outside OF II to signaliZe and preserve the
recollection OF important events. To COM
memorate the achievements Of those men
who in the past have rendered important
military and civic service to the State
and conferred honor upon her is COM
mendable since it shows her gratitude.
and beneficial since IL presents an exam
pie and arouses spirit which in time
Of need may save her from danger ana
disaster. If such appropriations are TO
be continued, there ought to be a wise
selection Of subjects so that attention
may be drawn to that in her career
which is most honorable. Among the
men OF Pennsylvania most conspicuous
for military achievement during the
Revolutionary period was Anthony,
Wavne, during the Rebellion was George
G. Meade. To Meade there are monu-
ments in Fairmount Park and at Gettys.
burg--to Wayne there Is none in the
State. At this time when the nation Is
celebrating with vast outlay the Louisi.
ana purchase and the settlement Of the
West. 1t would be a fitting season for
Pennsylvania to erect upon the hills Of
Valley Forge where his brigade lay. or
at some other proper place. an eques.
trian statue to Anthony Wayne. per-
laps the most imposing and potent
figure In the western settlement. The
Pennsylvania Society Sons of the
$s3S0.35 for a like purpose. This fund
is under capable and intelligent super
vision and it might perhaps be wise to
supplement its efforts.
Corporation Police
An act of February 27. 1868, provided
that any corporation owning or using a
railroad might apply to the Governor to
commission such persons as the corpora
ton should designate TO act as policemen
for said corporation. These policemen
were to possess in the respective coun-
ties the powers of policemen Of the city
of Philadelphia. and jail-keepers were d.
reoted to receive all persons arrested ~
them for the commission Of offenses
against the Commonwealth along the
railroads. The companies were to pay
the policemen, and when their services
were no longer required they were en-
powered to discharge them by notice
filed In the Office of the recorder of deeds
OF the respective counties. The system
thus established has grown by subse-
uuent legislation. and now railroads, col
lieries, furnaces. rolling mills. coal and
iron COMP Pnies. corporations for the
propagation of fish. and many other cor.
porations have their force OF policemen
exercising the authority Of the Common.
wealth. There were issued in
1901. $40 police commissions.
1902. 45l2 police commissions.
1908, 1856 police commissions.
1904, 1877 police commissions.
Usually these commissions have been
issued at the request of the companies
and have been unlimited in duration. A
practice has recently been instituted in
the Executive Department limiting the
appointments to a period Of three years.
trtn "a mil a.