Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-02
NO SERIOUS OBSTACLES TO
CITY STREET CLEANING
Money Can Be Readily Made Avail
able by couneii--Mayor Moore
Holds Whlphand In Situation

Holds Whlphand In Situation
WHEN Mayor Moore follows out his
w commendablc plan to inquire into
the availability and cost of plant and
equipment for municipal street cleaning
information will be obtained on the most
important consideration in this par
ticular issue
There are two sources from which to
obtain a plant to do street cleaning
work by municipal forces-the present
contractors and the manufacturers. The
first provides the more accessible supply.
but involves difficulty in setting prices
on second hand articles; while the
other may involve certain delay In de-
livery, although furnishing brand new
equipment.
But certainly both of these sources Of
supply must be drawn upon to obtain
the desired equipment for 1921, and for
certain reasons 1t may be polite for
the city to buy out the present con
| tractors.
Even if the city should purchase from
the present contractors all of their
serviceable equipment, there would still
be need for new equipment to replace
that which has become useless during
the year. We want cleaner streets next
year, and that purpose requires addi-
tional equipment.
Once the present contractors realize
that the city means business they should
be only too glad to talk sale prices.
Since they hold the most accessible sup
ply, they will naturally expect to OBJ
tain top prices for it. However. this
condition is encountered every day by
business men and not infreQuently in
municipal affairs when land and sup
plies are purchased. The situation calls
for shrewdness on the part of Mayor
Moore and Director Caven.
1t is very important. of course, that
the appraisers selected by the city
should be capable of recognizing true
values and standing by their judgment,
and it is essential for the city to know
accurately the status of the material
market to determine the best course in
dealing with the contractors.
While the task of definitely lining up
plant and equipment will involve much
labor and difficulty, more important
problems will arise. Money must be
made available.
But raising funds for capital invest
ment in street cleaning plant and equip
ment should not offer any serious OBJ
stacle. The city has total borrowing
capacity now of nearly SOC, 900 900
which can be used on a favorable vote
of the people, while Council can still
authorize the issuance of SO ZOO. 900
worth of bonds without the approval of
the people, in addition to an emergency
borrowing capacity of $1,000 900.
A councilmanic loan provides the
more immediate source of money. Funds
from q popular loan would not be avail
able until after the November election,
unless special election were held, |
which is decidedly improbable and, be-
cause of the cost, not to be urged ex-
cept as an extreme resort. 4
In the case Of councilmanic loan |
the money is actually available for use.
under the law, as soon as the ordinance |
authorizing the issuance of bonds is
signed by the Mayor or passed over his
veto. Likewise money would be avail
able from popular loan as soon as
the vote had been officially recorded.
The availability of the money even
before the bonds have been sold is pro-
vided for by law. This fact is impor-
tant in this case because purchases of |
street cleaning equipment will be ex-
pedited thereby, and If Council fails to
provide money by councilmanic loan the
people can vote it at the November
election in time to be used this year.
While no figures have been given out
at City Hall to indicate the probable
extent of the capital outlay involved,
and definite amounts will not be avail
able until after the Mayors proposed
inquiry has been completed, it is safe
to estimate that the amount needed will
fall well within the existing council
manic borrowing capacity of 81 600 900.
Authorization Of such loan in Coun-
ell may be opposed by the contractor
interests, but If the Mayor stands firmly
or municipal work he should via. Even
before the problem has been officially
referred to the Council by the Mayor
for action several of the councilmen
have expressed determination to carry
out the mandate of the charter for mu-
nicipal street cleaning. In this issue
the Mayor holds the whiphand. While
Council must vote definitely to substi-
tute contract performance If the charter
Is not obeyed, such action must be ap-
proved by the Mayor, and under the
the Mayor can unques-
tonably put over his own program for
1921, il it IL a reasonable compliance
with the terms Of the charter and pro-
tects the public interest.
Opposition may be raised to the pur-
chase at this time of street cleaning
equipment from either contractors or
because of prevailing
high prices. This fact. unhappily,
meets business men at every turn in
public and private business. In some
instances il is Of sufficient Importance
to compel hesitation. and occasionally
to delay purchase in the hope of secur-
ing lower prices. But who will predict
how long we shall have to wait for
lower prices, and then how much lower
they will be?
In certain cases, therefore, expe-
diency overrules this argument about
high prices and the city must 20 ahead
with it's projects. This decision has
been made in many lines of public i'm
work. Construction of sew
ers, grading and paving highways, lay
ing water mains and even buying new
pumps for the water plants and putting
in new filter beds are followed as un.
hesitatingly today as before the war.