Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-03
pENNyPACKER AUTOBIOGRAPHY-No. 10
l.....=I~.4 hx p,Ihlic I.edRer Co.

PENNYPACKER ACTOBIOGRAPHY-No.A 20
Copyright, 1918. by Public Ledger Co.
WITH the growth of the work Of the
w State there is a steadily Increasing need
for additional employees TO attend to IT, Each
head Of department Is loath to ask ror
such increase, for the reason that ne Is at
once assailed in the newspapers for caus-
ing further outlay. found a long list OF
such persons whose salaries were paid from
the contingent funds, a timid way OF meet
ing a dificulty, and I put an end to the
practice by sending a message TO the Leg
islature naming these employees and recon-
mending that they be regularly employed.
This treatment of the matter led TO no
criticisms, although it openly increased
the force.
Considering Bills
As the legislative session progressed
and the bills, as they had been passed.
began to come to me, they were all ana.
lyzed and those which were faulty either
In thought or construction were vetoed.
Since this method of treatment had
no reference 10 the sponsors OF the
bill or the interests which favored the en-
actment. It not infrequently happened that
bills which had been rejected had been
favored by the Republican party and lie
leaders. Such happenings had just that
flavor OF excitement which pleased tho
newspapers, and by the closo Of the session
had received very general encomiums. 1t
was my endeavor always in expressing
disapproval of n measure to do 1t good
naturedly. Often a State Senator, who
heard that some pet measure. which he
thought safe. had gone overheard, would
come to the Office in wrath and after read.
ing the veto message laugh and say that
"the old man was right after ALL" A
Quaker wrote to me March II:
Dear Governor:
Right now l want to tell thee that on
account of thy connection with the Quay
forces I opposed thy election, but now |
extend my hearty support. The stand
thou hast taken against vicious and mer-
cenary legislation is to be commended
and encouraged.
To which I replied:
Dear Friend:
l. very much appreciate your letter and
still more appreciate the spirit which
induced you TO write II. My only pur-
pose is TO do as well as I know how. /
feel quite sure IL you were to observe
closely the course Of Senator Quay and
could become better acquainted with him
you would find much In him also to com.
mend.
There was nothing, however. spectacular
about this kind OF service and nothing
likely to attract wide or prolonged atten.
tion. 1t was only doing the work of the
State as It ought to be done. The volume
of laws was reduced in size from the twelve
hundred pages Of that of my predecessor to
seven hundred pages. My two volumes
stand among the printed Acts OF Assembly
like oases. since, with the advent Of my
successor. the volume Immediately ran up
TO the old dimensions.
In the State OF Missouri a law was passed
relating to baking powders. 1t led to great
scandal and was followed by many prosecu.
tions, so that Governor Joseph w. Folk,
who urged them. was praised all over the
country for his vigilance, became a national
character and almost reached the Presi.
in Pennsylvania and I threw it into the
waste basket, saying
This bill makes II a misdemeanor, sub.
Ject to fine OF 800, for any person to
manufacture or sell baking powder which
contains alum in any form or shape,
unless there be printed. on a label, on
the outside OF the package. in black ink
in legible type, not smaller than small
plea, the full name and address of the
manufacturer and the words This Bak-
ing Powder contains alum 1t is evident
that the passage OF this bill was secured
by the manufacturer or vender of some
rival baking powder with intent to obtain
an unfair advantage. 1t is evident from
the fact that the conspicuous printing
Of these words would be likely to deter
purchasers. 1t would be entirely proper
to require that all baking powders should
have upon the outside of the package a
label describing the ingredients and their
quantities. but II would be manifestly
unjust to require one ingredient to be
displayed without any reference to quan.
tity."
Shooting Bears
There was no commotion. no scandal.
and the event entirely escaped attention.