Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-23

smaller and less travelled streets, mainly
In residential sections, neglected and
daily growing worse.
The regrettable feature Is that this
beggarly appropriation and the 81 ,500,-
600 for next year will hamstrirg every
scheme for relieving the crowded condi-
tion of the streets In the heart Of the
city.
The 81 200, 900 appropriation that
has been and will be expended this year
includes patch. work paving; the i'm
provcment on only twenty four streets.
II Is imperatively necessary 70 keep
these thoroughfares in repair. as they
are mainly well Travelled thoroughfares.
Politicians Get Favors
The old political game of rcpaving
street because the political powers
that be in certain wards demanded 1t
as a return for votes delivered has been
about played out. It's matter of
business now.
In only one CT two Instances this
year Is the amount Uf paving done with
the 81 100000 available sufficient to
open up main through route. The
repaving of Vine street from Delaware
avenue to Broad street, at a cost Of
$102, 900. is an instance.
The small amount available precluded
the paving Of streets that would relieve
crowded traffic conditions. This con-
dition can only be improved by furnish
ing a number of smooth streets leading
in the same general direction.
Such plan would naturally split and
divert traffic that now uses streets over
which II is most convenient to travel.
Charter Prohibits Loans
In the past money for rcpaying pur-
poses could be secured through loans.
The new charter prohibits it. 1t ex-
pressly stipulates that the repaving and
repairing Of streets and avenues cannot
be done with loan funds. And the
Supreme Court has emphasized the
validity Of this law.
The streets In Philadelphia are In
worse condition now than they have
been for years. This is due to war
time conditions. During a period OF
three years conditions caused by the
world conflict. the scarcity of labor. the
high cost Of material. and the multifar-
ious other reasons forced neglect of
the city's streets except where impera-
tive necessity demanded.
In connection with this. the unpre-
cedented increase in the use of trucks
and the growth in the city's business
has put the business tnor0ughfnreS to
the severest test in their history.
The plans of the Department Of Pub
lie Works contemplate. or did contem-
plate. campaign involving the ex-
pcnditure Of S5 600 900 per annum for
the ensuing four years.
This program IL carried out would not
only relieve the crowding in the center
of the city but would improve streets
and avenues in the northeastern and
southwestern sections that are arteries
touching the greatest manufacturing
districts in the world.
The rapidly growing commerce of this
port must be served. This also has been
considered.
Not only are dockage facilities on an
ample scale required, but adequate ap-
proaches to the port in the way Of well
paved avenues on the landward side
must be provided.
Unless relief is afforded losses to the
shipping. trucking, mercantile and
manufacturing interests will continue to
mount higher and higher.
And il will be the result Of failure. or
short sightedness. in appraising Phila-
dplphia's greatness and its needs.
In another article ] shall outline the
proposed Improvement Of highways and
opening Of new main arteries.