Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-24
NOW FOR THE GOOD FIGHT!

MO ONE unfamiliar with the devious
~ undercurrents of factional politics
can understand the furious energy that is
behind the present hidden war on the
Moore administration. The onslaught
isn't orderly. 1t is lunge and scramble
directed by men who, having all to gain
and little to lose, are willing to take long
chances.
Yet Mr.. Ware, Mr.. Lane, Mr.. Martin
and their advisers were never so short
sighted as they are now if they suppose
that anything like an advantage or a
belated victory can be wrung for them
out of the confusion.
The Mayor is still outplaying his
enemies and outplaying them brilliantly.
His technique and his strategy are in
comparably superior to theirs. Because
Mr.. Moore is better informed than those
who are trying to cut under him, he has
depended on plain daylight and publicity
at every turn and in every crisis. These
are the most powerful weapons in modern
politics, and it is fortunate for the country
that they are reserved always for honest
men.
Only a man who has nothing to hide can
go to the people with his appeals-as Mr.
Wilson went in New Jersey when he in
troduced his new method of political
strategy, as Coolidge went in Massa
chusetts and as every enlightened poll
tician will go in the future if he is not
out of tune with his times or afraid to
tell the truth.
Mr.. Moore has lost no opportunity to
explicitly state his aims, his purposes and
his difficulties. In all his public addresses
he is unmistakable. Successful candi-
dates are often eager to let their promises
be forgotten.
Before the Rotary Club, the City Club
and. more recently, before the business
mems ASSOCIATION of Germantown the
Mayor has reiterated his election
promises. He has taken pains to remind
the city of the things it sought in his
election. He has been, if possible, more
definite and more determined as Mayor
than he was as candidate. He might
have an easier time of it were he less
sincere. The enemy might be placated.
But what choice has the Mayor? The
nature of that choice he has managed to
make clear even to the eyes of casual
citizens. The war of the belligerents
TENDS QennlCeIy 10 Te-eSLdUlISH III JhiS
city factional influence that did its best
to spread corruption from the police
system upward through the city govern
ment to the very courts. It is most
energetically directed to extend contrac-
tor control beyond this city to the Legis-
lature of the state. 1t is fight for dirty
streets, for i'll health, for ignorance in
the places of authority and for factional
selfshness of the basest kind.
The declaration of war came from the
camp of Mr.. Ware. If there is to be fair
play, an elimination of the side-door en-
trance to the Mayors Office, a decent ad
ministration, an uncorrupted police force
and average honesty in the Legislature
and in the courts, the challenge had to be
accepted. 1t is because public opinion is
on his side that the Mayor may resort to
frightfulness if he feels that frightful-
ness is necessary. You have to fight the
devil with fire. But the devil is usually
the first one to complain against the use
of his own weapons by an adversary.