Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-03-03
PhiLd. Stands at the
Brink of q NeU Era

Continued from Page One
had abandoned the obsolete and drowsy
street car, New York was still riding
in ramsh ackle cars of the reconstruction
era drawn by horses along her crosstown
streets.
Leading retail merchants Of New York
are Philadelphia men.
While Philadelphia went singing on
her way after the late February storm,
New. York required two weeks to dig
herself out of the snowdrifts and gal
vanize into life her paralyzed trolley
systems.
Philadelphia has always been a city
of great wealth. Her bankers were the
capitalists of the country. Robert Nor
ris, on his reputation as a great mer-
chant and banker. was able to finance
the War of the Revolution and keep the
troops Of the colonies in the field.
Stephen Girard was the principal con
tributor to the War of 1912 and backed
that struggle with his wealth.
| IL WES w SluihN Nooht :" uS
associated with Clarke-who financed
the Mexican War.
In the days Of the great Rebellion,
when vast sums were required to main
tain the supremacy of the Union, when
there was absolutely no market for
| United States Government seven thirty
bonds, Jay Cooke came to the rescue,
reorganized the financial system and re-
vived the patriotism Of the entire coun-
try. :,
The same hesitancy to exploit herself
in other ways has marked Philadelphia
in the matter of her wealth.
Points to Millionaires
Pretty much every millionaire in other
great cities of this country is known to
the world. They are pointed out as
beacon lights Of prosperity. Most OF
them are persistent seekers Of the cal
cium glow.
Numbers of Philadelphia million
aires are unknown to the outside world,
and very little is known about them at
home. There is more reserve wea lth in
Philadelphia than any other city in the
United States.
A statistical estimate fixes it at
$4,000 per capita, or two and a half
times that of the country at large, and
| IL is believed that this is too low.
A few years ago an approximate esti-
mate was made of the value of GOO es-
tates. in and around Philadelphia, and
| 05 per cent of them exceeded the esti-
mate. One man rated at 5000 900 was
found 10 be worth $4,000. 900.
| Imbued with the spirit of Penn, Phil
adelphia in the past has lived for others.
The time has come when she must live
for herself. The city has always been
more pationalistic than municipal. The
birth city of American independence,
| She has been proud OF her aid in the
development OF other cities apd the
growth of the nation.
Yet all the time she hugged the ira
ditiops of her past and fostered the
spirit of unobtrusveness and reserve Of
her founders: ~
Philadelphla can never forget her
past, but she cannot i've upon II for
the future. The old style has changed.
That which was a virtue before, mod +.
est retIeence and the art Of keeping
stiI, Ia now a vice. IL Is rank injus.
tice 10 The city because the motive Is
misunderstood by the world.
philadelphia must advertise.
Other cities are shouting their slo-
psns from factory roofs and press
rooms. People have gotten SO in the habit
of talking that unless one joins in the
conversation they think you have moth =
ing to talk about. '.|
A high note of optimism must be
sounded everywhere.
II is not only necessary to put Phila =
delnbia under the searchlight, but it is
eouaiiy as important to keep her there.
This is the attitude the world is taking
elsewhere, and we must change our ira ;
ditional position to meet the changing
attitude of the world.
sPhiladelphia must step chasing will
i otthe wisps, 4 1. y. Asa 4 .