Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-07


his annual report to Council this
evening and officially turns over his
office to Burgess 7. T. Nc
Entee, the last chapter in the story
of what men versed in municipal af-
fairs declare to be the most eVentful
administration of any chief excel
tive in the history of the borough
will be brought to a close.
In the four years of Wigfield's
term as chief executive, Steelton has
passed from the muddy street. poor
ly policed, parkless and recklessly
governed stage of the small town to
its present well-paved, well-sewered,
clean. carefully policed, wisely gov
erned, progressive borough, with al
most ample provision for recreation.
The transition has been so rapid that
former residents returning to the
borough after a few years absence
scarcely recognize the old town that
was principally famous for the large
number of cases listed in each term
of the Dauphin county courts, and
it's reputation for the kind of poll
tics that recently sent Car Nicholas
into exile.
Hard Fight For Election
Elected in a three-cornered con-
test that was unusual for its inter-
est. the retiring burgess went into
Office at time when the old regime,
now almost forgotten in Steelton,
was at the zenith of it's power He
had not the endorsement of the pow
ers that then were, and scarcely had
he taken the oath of Office when
the first clash came.
1t was over the old police force
noted for its inetficiency and lack of
discipline that the clash came. The
burgess declared that every officer
who was on the borough payroll
should perform some duties and
should not draw pay if he was alb
sent from work to conduct private
enterprises, or to assist" getting
out the vote on election day. Friends
urged that Wigtield was committing
polite al suicide, If not actually en-
dangering his livelihood, i'll attempt
ing TO discipline the police force
But not to be deferred by these he
entered the lists and in a fight with
Council that will go down into mu-
nicipal history unsurpassed for its
bitterness, the burgess won; one of
ficer was dismissed fro the force
and discipline established. Since
that memorable evening when Coun-
ell, after three times overriding the
burgess authority. backed down and
gave the borough what the people
wanted; the entire force has been
overhauled until to-day it is as effici-
ent as any in the state and ample
for the borough's needs.
Favored improvements
During his campaign for election
Wigfeld was the only candidate that
came out fiatfootedly for the big
improvement loan issue, the passage
of which was doubtful. The big i'm
provements called for in that loan
included paved streets. improved
sewers, more adequate fire protec-
ton and garbage collection. All
these things have been completed
or are near completion, not to men,
ton the subsequent improvements.
including elimination of the old
canal nuisance.
In urging creation of a borough
shade tree commission, Wigfield first
met the opposition of Council to
delegating any of its authority to
commissions. The commission, how
ever. was appointed and is now do
ing efficient work.
The next step was the creation of
a park and Fairgrounds commission,
in which movement the burgess was
a leader. This commission has since,
under the capable direction of Chair
man c. S. Davis, created an ade-
quate system of properly-supervise
Fairgrounds or recreation centers
ana ueNelOpeu Ile 1uIHer X. hel-
ker Park. Plans for the future de-
velopment of this big tract have
been made and when finally carried
out will add another link to the
park system of Harrisburg.
Cleans Up Town
Shortly after taking office Burgess
Wigfeld conducted vigorous clean
up days" which greatly improved
sanitary conditions in the West Side
and lower end foreign sections.
In reviewing tfrese few of the
many accomplishments of the retir-
ing burgess, his friends commend
his untiring efforts to live up to his
prediction pledges and point with
pride to his faithfulness to the pro-
gressive movement which carried
him into office.
His administration spanned the
brief time between the Steelton OF
old and the present-day busy bor-
ough, the Steelton that stood out in
prominence as the last of the old
Iron towns" famous for their rough
and readiness, effective though
roughshod political methods, and
the present day thriving, throbbing
manufacturing town that is helping
Uncle Sam win the war by turning
out in a ever-ending stream the
sinews of war.