Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-08

publican organization leaders were
jockeying for position and by process
Of elimination finally agreed upon the |
incumbent of the Office as their candi-
date for Mayor.
Certain available candidates were
put out of the running and certain lead
ers were thrown out of position so far
as the subsequent direction of the
Mayors office was concerned.
"The outcome was not calculated to
unite the Republican party nor TO dig.
nifty our great American city. On the
contrary, the record has been so un-
satisfactory as to make it difficult for
the representatives Of the city abroad,
or for the patient and self sacrificing
workers in the ranks, to successfully
cope with the bitter reflections that have
been so frequently hurled at Philadel-
phia Republicanism and the city it.
self.
The New Charter
Whether or not this process of sap
ping and mining was warranted BY the
acts Of the present administration or
any leaders who have been potential
with it. the Legislature of Pennsylvania
took official cognzance of it and en-
acted law providing for reorganization
of cities of the first class. of which Phil
adelphia is the 'only one, with view
of correcting such abuses as exist in the
municipal government. This law,
| known as the new city charter. now be
comes effective. and the citizens gen
orally are confronted with the hurried
but vital task of electing officials: in
Guiding a Mayor, to operate under it,
! with about six weeks left before the
primary election to take place and with
heavy responsibilities resting on me as
a member of Congress. / am asked by
many earnest Republicans, who desire
to vote for an untrammcled candidate
at the primaries. TO permit my name to
be used. the argument being that It
would be civic duty and that | could
be- of greater service helping to put Phil
adelphia straight than could by re.
naming one of Philadelphia's six rep
resentatives at the nations capitol.
For two days have been studying
the city charter and thinking the matter
over. An announcement of my Candl
dacy for Mayor would mean the end "t
my career in Congress. J would not
expect to be returned by those whom
I might Offend by running for Mayor
But this should not weigh against the
greater obligation to the city and the
party. -,
II am not sure the new charter viii
enable Mayor to do all the things
hoped for by its advocates, but the
charter is step in the right direction
and if am elected all the requirement.
Of the charter would be enforced il
letter and in spirit, subject. of course
to those limitations which it itself i'm
poses.
"The Curse Of the Candidate"
eft has been suggested that I shoulC
go further than this and affirm certain
planks of platform alleging contractor
control of the city. AS to this ] woult
say that if become candidate it viii
be as Republican. singularly free from
those pledges and influences which
when made in advance of an election
are usually the curse of a candidate.
, Il have not asked any leader o.
faction or committee for his or it
support and seem already to have in
S Cured the opposition of some. | would
! not care. therefore. to swear into an,
specific declarations that might pleas
G one element or another and then ris
! to plague me in the performance of m,
D sworn duty. ] have no hesitation
+ however, in making this statement a
to so called contractor government. tina
if it exists now or has heretofore existed
it woul dnot be tolerated by me if
: were Mayor. The contractor is esSenta
in his place and is entitled to squar
deal, but if he does business with tn
city he should do it upon terms fxe
by law and not on terms dictated b
I himself. If that is the meaning of tn
: new city charter, as understand it t
: be. it would be given full force an
o effect if ! were Mayor.
"And still speaking as a Republican
desiring to put the Republican part
right would add that even in thcs
days it is conceivable that n man ca
be elected mayor of a great city lik
r Philadelphia. who can be trusted t
n administer the square deal to part
= men and the citizens generally withou
!. at the same time subordinating him
e self to factional or autocratic leader
e ship.
= with this statement I announce m
s willingness that my name should
s submitted as a candidate for the Re
publican nomination for Mayor at th
primary election September 16.
Gas speedily as possible committed
will be organized to conduct the cam
pagn."