Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-09
Mayor mistaken
in Council Stand
Continued from Page One

DciWu 10 uo Ill Tue WIZ n VI wy ihS anu
conduct the correspondence of two or
three councilmen. 1t is false economy
and the Mayor is right.
II volunteer the positive assertion
that if the bill is emasculated the very
men responsible for it will be the first
to raise q howl. AS for the old organi- =
zation men in Council, they are playing
politics They have suddenly turned
reformers, God save the mark
Councilmen Develin and Burch arc
regarded as the minnikins who are per
forming in public while two or three
men behind the scenes are pulling the
strings. and certain indications clinch
the impression.
Independents. while denying any pre-
arranged scheme, do not conceal their
indignation at what they describe as
the Mayors Indifference to Their claims
for recognition.
One of the men on the side lines, who
is regarded as. in measure, responsible
for the attitude of Develin and Burch,
has this to say about the situation:
1.-The fight that is being made by the
two councilmen against the Councils
Job and salary bill IS not fight for
division of the offices. We are, though,
dissatisfied and indignant at the man :
ner in which we have been treated. AL
though we were responsible for the
Mayors election, we are ignored when
it comes down to a discussion of ques-
tions of policy in which we are v,tally
Interested The Mayor seeks council
elsewhere.
"A prominent member of our party
who is a business man, and not q
politician, who contributed largely
toward carrying certain ward, called
upon the Mayor with reference to a
minor appointment for one of his
friends. He was told to go and see one
of the Mayors advisers, gentleman
with whom he had no past business or
political afiliation. He did not go, OF
course.
"Our workers do not understand this
and it is difficult for us to explain the
situation. But even that could be over
looked were it not that in matters hf-
fecting reforms in the city government
in which we have the greatest interest
we are pushed aside when it comes to
discussing the subject. We fought the
battle for good government for years
and at times when we had no prospect
of success. We maintained a good gov
ernment organization when the Other
wings of the Republican party were
concerned only with places and were
lighting for the spoils of office.
Wants Public to Know the Facts
1.-THE public should know the facts
cannot speak for Councilmen Develin
and Burch. / believe that they have
assumed their present position from the
highest motives on the ground of econ
omy and municipal reform. They can
not consistently violate the principles
which they have always advocated when
they were hopeless minority in the old
boss ridden Councils
In connection with the above it must
be stated that there are certain parts
of it which are matters of recent his
tory. The Independents did maintain
an organization and fought battles un-
der the banner of the Town Meeting
party when they had only faint chances
of success.
One solution of the vexed problem OF
what is claimed to be lack of repre-
sentation in the inner councils of the
administration has been suggested, viz,
that one man, conspicuous in the coun
ellis of me Independents, be represented
in any future conferences or confabs
This would eliminate, or at least should,
any cause for complaint.
Mayor Moore regards these lnde-
untenable. In personal letter to
every member of Council he has invited
them to call upon him and discuss all
questions of general interest connected
with municipal reform or the affairs OF
the administration. But this has beer
ignored.
Charge Attempt to Force Mayors Hand
Mayor Moore's advisers say that au
attempt is being made to force his hand
that they have intimate knowledge that
rival strategy board has been at work
with the purpose of dominating Affairs
and assuming the direction of every
thing not connected with his personal
policy.
This eabal, they say, is composed ol
little handful of Town Meeting men
who are seeking personal aggrandize
ment. The Mayor seeks to be inspartinl
as among the elements contributing tC
his election. However, he does not dc,
sire personal relations with any man OF
set OF men who, while processing friend
ship, stand ready to wreck his good
government plans unless they are
placated and their wishes referred to.
An additional evidence of their de-
signs was that Councilmen Develin anC
Burch gave not the slightest intimatior
of their obstructive action until few
hours before the meeting of Council, in
which they declared their purpose L
antagonize the employees bill. The ad
ministration was given no opportunity
to consult with them about IL.
Meantime the minority or Ware mem
7 bers Of Council despite their repeated