Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-02
What's the Matter With Philadelphia?


TO the Editor of the Ercping Public Lcdgcr:
Sir-Tt is some years since William Allen
White asked the question, ''What is the
matter with Kansus?' No one has yet
aroused the citizens of this city to any
great extent by asking "What is the mat
ter with Philadclphia?' Some good. how
ever, may come out of the present awaken
ing of the civic pride or conscience OF some
representative citizens connected with the
. Chamber of Commerce. Rotary Club and
other organizations.
The publicity given to the seriousness of
the housing situation should result in some
definite action being taken to secure sufficient
dwellings for the people who have come
here from other communities. and are en-
ployed in local industries, as well as to
provide for the natural increase i'll popula-
tiOn.
New houses, however. will benefit only
those with families and provide them with
homes What efforts. if any. are beng
made to provide for certain wants 81 the
Young unmarried of both sexes who nav"
found employment here. and VINO stay at
boz riding houses, hotels. y. NJ. I. a. or
y. W. c. A.: Among these wants can b"
mentioned the chance OF meeting young
folks of the opposite sex beside those at
the public dance halls. amusement other
other than an occasional trip to Atlantic
City. :,
There are many young folks who would
not care to form permanent association win
those they meet at the public dance. ana
who cannot afford frequent attendance at
the theatres or visits to the seashore
The problem is not such great one IN
several other cities that could be mentioned
because of the fact that strangers ma
more cordial welcome there, ana become
more udirkly IA part of the community itself.
In this city stranger meets case hardened
social atmosphere that is hard to penetrate
unless one is armed with letters of intro
duction. or is a military or government
official.
The effect-of Philadelpha's citizens being
60 absorbed in themselves so smugly and
comnlaceutly self satisfied, is far reaching IN
business, industrial and political life. ms
city should be at least the second IN size
in America. but is retarded in its develop
ment by provncialsm that is almost as
preventive of growth as the shoes OF
Chinese lady of the old regime were to the
feet.
The growth of business within the last
two or three years that Phlladelphla mas
experienced was largely thrust upon. the
c;ty and seemed to be due more to favorable
geographical position than to efforts made
bv the business men of the community.
The writer is reminded of n story of Nancy
Wynne's in regard to the dancing class at
Wurts's. The boys gathered at one side of
the room and the girls at the other, ana
only when the music began did they leave
tbeir places Such aloofncSS may be some
what excusable in young folks when meet
ing others of opposite sex, but the spirit OF
,lannishness seems to be prevalent every
where throughout the city. The social at
mosnhere is so different from that of other
cities, especially those n little farther south
and west The stranger coming into this city
in most cases will be here IA year or more
before getting acquainted with more than
n dozen persons outside of the office or shop
in which he is employed. Usually the per
sons one does meet are also non -Philadel-
nbiuns. In other places Il visitor or stranger
n fter becoming acquainted with one family,
IL he or she is ut all presentable. is soon
introduced TO the friends of the family. and
within a short time has number of ac-
ouaintances Not so in this ultra conscrya-
tive city, however.
Philadelphia may be the City of Brotherly
owe. but all the love is restricted to fellow
none being shown toward
the strangers within its gates,
ONE OF THE STRANGERS.
Philadelphia, April 2S.