Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-03

ton Of the Mayor ended what might
have turned out to be a crisis in the
city's affairs.
Every possible means has been de.
vised to prevent waste Of the taxpayers
money" the Mayor said further. "By
improving the Chestnut street pier so
that It can be utilized, in part. as of
fees for the Department Of Wharvcs,
Docks and Ferries, we will save an an
nual rental Of $4,000 now paid for
quarters elsewhere.
'"We are advertising the city's advan-
tagcs as the finest port in the United
States. We are negotiating for more
piers and pier sp8ce. The commerce Of
the port is greater now than ever in it's
history.
"Thcsc are some Of the major thirgs
we have undertaken. OF the minor
matters that attract little attention,
but which are big in their way. is the
conversion Of Browns Farm into n
home for INDECENT children. 1t is n
great step forward in the care Of these
helpless little wards Of the city.
''Thp organization of bureau Of
claims in the city solicitors Office has
already saved thousands Of dollars to
the city. Every claim brought against
the municipality for damages is inves-
light. 1t is no longer possible to put
over shady or fraudulent claim and
collect on it. There was never such an
official scrutiny.
Conducted Like a Big Corporation
Still further along that line" con-
tinued the Mayor. ''is the new rule that
every attorney handling damage and
claim cases must make a report on it to
the city solicitor himself The city So
licitor's Office Is run on the principle of
n big corporation and with the same at
tcntion to detail in the city's interest. "
=. While the Mayor did not refer to the
subject directly it is asserted with the
utmost positiveness that there is less
gambling in Philadelphia at present
than at any other period in the last
ten years.
within the last few days ! have
signed contracts for the repaving Of
Ridge avenue, from Lamont street to
the Montgomery county line. We are
preparing plans for the extension of
opened streets in various sections Of the
city to permit of greater building and
housing facilities; all Of which follows
upon my expressed purpose to do all
possible in that direction
There will be new loan asked for
this fall Of $1,000. 900, for the pressing
necessities of the city and n share Of
this will go to still greater extension
Of the sewerage and water systems.
New parks and breathing spots for the
people will also come in for a share
OF it.
In past years it was difficult to Sc
cure more than two or three bids for
supplies for the city. 1t was the result
G kal LaIs k,,,
firms that favoritism was practiced to
an extent that barred all but the few.
Today. with an expert in charge of
the department, and on the basis of the
square deal. scores of bids are sub
mitted., where the few was the rule in
the past.
Waste OF Money to Rush Now
Throughout the interview the Mayor
emphasized. in matters demanding the
expenditure of the city's money for new
contracts for building and other city
improvements. the necessity for going
slowly. His idea is that it is waste
of public money to rush ahead and pay
exorbitant prices. in contracts. when II
little later the same results will be at
tanned at far less cost.
Where. however, the need is immedi-
ate and imperative, as in the matter of
new fire apparatus, for which $500 900
has been appropriated for motor driven
vehicles to replace tho antiquatcd horse
drawn apparatus, delay. despite the in
creased cost, would be disastrous.
Zone other innovation" said the
Mayor in concluding his talk. (which
will be of pronounced value to many
of our people is the establishment of a
bureau of legal aid. Attorneys and in
vestigators will be at the service of our
people who cannot afford to employ
lawyers, and who are too often the
victims of sharpers, to assist them in
their troubles. 1t is one of the legiti-
mate functions of a municipality to help
those who cannot help themselves.
This administration" said the
Mayor, twas put in power to benefit the
whole people, and that shall be its sole
aim until It's close"