Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-07
MAKE THE DIRT FLY!

y afvo-oPERATIoN between the city and
~ the Government for the immediate
erection of 1000 houses in the Fortieth
Ward for Hog Island shpworkers seems
now to be entirely assured. But "imme-
date" is not word that can be dall!ed
with, and this vital Improvement was to
have been Immediately" pu, through some
time ago.
That the shipping administration was
compelled to issue what amounts to an ulti-
matum to tho city to facilitate Government
operations was intimated in the recent re-
ports that sites for the houses might be
obtained in New Jersey, because Philadel.
phia was not meeting the war admins
tration half way in the project 1t may
not have been essential for the Mayor to
have been at the all.day conference when
the final plans were drawn up, for capable
city officials were present in the absence
Of Mr. Smith, who was at Atlantic City.
But the Mayors explanation of delays is
hardly proof that any one in City Hall has
been taking Off his coat and going about
Uncle Sans business In his shirtseeyes
Delays. he said. were due to the fact that
bids received for the work to be done In
the Fortieth Ward had been considered too
high and that it had been necessary to re.
4 advertise for bids for this work.
No one wants fragrant proflteering to
~ permitted, but in this case delay is
1nmeasurably more dangerous than waste.
How much too high were the bids? When
every responsible man of affairs In the
nountry Is demanding ships. more ships,
ships at any price, it is scarcely in the
spirit o. the times to bubble about fine
di6srentiations over contractors figures.
The spirit Of the times is to take a chance.
within reasonable limits. on prohteering in
rush Jobs, and depend on the income and
profits taxes to restore the equilibrium Of
sice later
"As soon as the city acts We are ready
70 put the first shovel in the ground" says
Admiral Bowles.
It IL now up TO the Mayor to make the
dirt fly by exercising his extraordinary
powers and put through Councils the oydi.
nances necessary to enable the Govern.
X msnt to take over the work. Not u day,
nor IN hour, should be wasted over formal
tiles In this matter.
Constructive criticism, attempting TO
make the most of this lesson how not 10
\ % things. should not be content to remon-
ntrAfs with the Mayor alone. The lazy.
y mindedness that has dawdled over and con-
Z that has forced every other great munich
pai endeavor to go through a long mud
{. ding stage before action could begin. There
-. sad lack of authoritative voices in
4 Councils, which might take initiative in
(. accusing public opinion when it happens
that q commanding personality is absent
y 1rpsn the seat Of chief authority. But
& apart from the political phases of It this
< discouraging epitode should spell warn
ing to farsghted business men. Our
'municipal system Is sick. The city does
\ not rise to big opportunities as a city, but
~ badly co-ordinated series of strag.
cling sections. Where are we to look for
unity and progressive improvement IL not
10 the leaders Of enterprise who suffer most
ana whose subordinates and employees suf.
\ .fer IN proportion by failure to focus atten-
y fcn and effort upon the extension Of the
~ Industries and trade?
~ = obvious enough that we need city
1nsss manager, If only to straighten out
U1ancing OF routine affairs of municipal
t1nent apart from constructive i'm
e6nsnts But to elect such a manager
Y I'd mayoralty which. with its great
|< ~ and prestige. is the ideal position
q i1fS which to direct progress in every
* G1 of sndeayor, BUSH ess men must first
~ more serious view of their position
c1iffcs and lay deep and sure founda
for organized reform