Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-01-08
Councilman FQints
in Stormy Caucus
Continued from Page One

Continued from Page One
petty graft in the office. 1t was per-
haps to be expected in view of made.
quate salaries paid to certain minor
employees, writ servers. who were the
nrincioal offenders. Most members OF
the bar who have had dealings with
this class of county officials are aware
Of this fact. 1t was not downright
dishonesty nor was it what the cele-
brated Senator Plunkett, of New York,
described as ''honest graft 1t was
of an intermediate character.
For instG nee, a writ server, who re-
ceives a salary of $1,000 and a bonus.
would be given a writ to serve. 1t
is an unpleasant Office at best. In the
course of n couple of days he would
appear at the Office of the attorney who
had caused the document to be issued,
with the statement that the person
Upon whom the writ was to be served
was difficult to find that in his search
for him the server was exerting every
effort but was compelled to tip janitors
of apartment houses and messengers
in Offices.
Hint of Reward Brings Results
Possibly a speedy service was of ad =
vantage to the attorney. In such case
the writ server was instructed to reach
the party at any cost. If successful
there was something in it, for his
trouble. The suggestion usually bore
| fruit The writ was served with
| promptncss and dispatch.
This is one of the Objectionable fea =
lures in the sheriff's ONCE that is tc
be abolished. There are forty five writ
servers. 1t is probable that Sheriff
| 7 thn lo,, -,
the interest of economy and increased
efficiency. If this is done Council will
be requested before the end of the year
to increase writ servers salaries. The
smaller number will receive the amount
saved in salaries by reduction Of the
force; the county will lose nothing and
the morale of the Office improved.
l am led to believe that Sheriff
Lambcrton will make haste slowly in
reorganizing the personnel of his Of
| flee. He will emulate Mayor Moore
in his appointment of a director OF
transit.
No individual leader will dominate
the selection of his subordinates. WarG
| leaders who contributed to the Novem-
Der victory will be recognized in ap-
pointments. l have reason for the dec
| laration that in wards where lndepen
dents control the machinery theil
Gains will be recognized. The same
policy will hold good where Republican
Alliance men control. Where Town
Meeting party and Republican ALI
ance men worked shoulder to shoulder
through the campaign they will be rec
ognzed alike in the matter of appoint
mentS.
Always for Good Government
Sheriff Lamberton. I take it, re-
CARDS the forces. under whatever name
they may have fought. who combined tC
overthrow the Ware regime as {
| homogeneous whole--a power uniteC
| for good government And good, hon
est government has been the object OF
every fight that Robert E. LambertoI
! has made since he entered politics.
At the same time there are a GER
! tain few subordinates, honest and eff
| fiCient who by force of home environ
ment have been classed with the oppo-
sition, who will be retained. 1t viii
be solely on the score of efficiency, anC
not with any idea of recognizing the ole
machine.
In sense Sheriff Lamberton is tht
most independent member of the new
administration. He has his ideals. HI
will endeavor to realize them, / believe
without weakening the political power
which has come into existence.
At the same time political exigen
cies must yield to honesty of purpose
Appointments will be made with tn,
purpose of promoting the highest degree
of efficiency to the satisfaction of tn,
public.