Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-21
GeTryWsander of
22d Ward Urged


mefOus well scattered homes, out not
largely given over to either manufnc- :
turing or mercantile pursuits.
l The character of the two sections,
their wants and requirements are rad j.
ically different. by the division, the
territory would gain seven school Wis
itors, a matter lightly regarded by some,
but urged as n matter of Importance by
others.
'If there Is any virtue in the office OF
school visitor. the commission feels that
with double the number to look after
the interest and welfare Of the schools,
benefit must come to the community.
ut was urged as against the division
tbat the ward wns functioning we'll ns
Il was, and a division was not ntces-
sary, but We can not sec ,nat division
would interfere. and II might work to
the advantage Of the citizens. Against
the contention that the ward was func-
fionine very well a. It was, II was
pointcd out that at least AZ per cent OF
the yotors at the last election did not
vote. 1t has also been argued that the
historic township Of Germantown would
BE- divided, much being lost. but your
commissioners fail to see the force Of
this argument.
Line Of Battle Unchanged
''The division of the ward cannot
change the line of the Battle OF Yer
mantown or the location Vt the his
toric landne rks of that battle. some of
which are indicated BY tablets erected
outside Of the township line. 1t has
siso been argued that civic bodies like
the Germantown and Chestnut flill
Improvement Associations and the
Germantown Woman's Club would lose
some of their fore, and that the local
civic spirit would Re divided to the
disadvantage of the community. ~
''Rut this seems not tn ne oorne
ont by the experience of other sections
Of the city, where the affairs of the
civic and business associations are not
hound BIZ ward lines. but by general
community sections. similar 20 this. but
composed cf n number Of wards. In
arriving at their opinion as t" tne
manner in which the division should DC
made, the aim OF the commission mas
hosr 10 draw the lire in such a way
es to leave one portion such an area
and population that rcdivision shall not
be necessary.
"The southeast portion being com
psctly settled, and almost completely
Seyeloped, and the newer development
and unimproved territory being toward
the north and west, the lines wnlch
naturally suggest themselves are as ioi-
lows:
Where Change Will Be Made
BEGINNING at the intersection OF tht
center line OF Washington lane nnc
the center line of Stenton avenue. thence
extending southwest along the center
line Of Washington lane to the center
line of Wayne avenue, thence sonth
east along the center line OF Mayn'
avenue to the center line OF Rittenhous'
street to the center line OF Wissnhickoi
avenue.
"No controversy Of Importance aros'
st any of the meetings, except Mt tIem
Ing Hall, where several in attendance
voiced their displeasure and disappoint
mept at the refusal Of the Commits
sioners to spread upon the minutes tn
resolutions adopted by the congregatio,,
of the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church
and the Germantown Woman's Club.
"As the Commission was utterly II
the dark as to the circumstances unde
and also as to whether there was an!
Intelligent presentation of both sides o
the question at the meetings at whlcl
they were acted upon. and 1t appearin
that but fifty members out OF mem
bership of 900 of the GermantowI
Woman's Club were present at tn
meeting, the Commission felt that the
had no evidential value either for tn
Commission or the Court
Decision Was Expected
No surprise was shown by opponent
Of partition when told Of the report o
the commission.
THAT report does not mean peSyon
prostration for me, said Colonel Shel
along what they would do. l do no
favor partition in the Twenty second
Of course, but It was evident the com
nissioners did favor 1t before 1t con
Quoted hearings.
''In fact, members expressed them
selves to that effect before they starte
the hearings. So. when the Commits
sioners favor partition, you may easil
anticipate what their verdict will be
The matter must 60 first to court, an
there the Judge may refuse to contlrr
the findings of the commission. Blu
never mind, the people will take care O
II In good shape :, :,
am unalterably opposed to partition
This decision Of the commission does no
express the desire Of the majority OF tn
people who went to tire hearings befor
the commission.
partition Is an unnecessary sug
sestion, for the ward rs a civic unit o
the city no longer exists. We are nov
represented by councilmanic districts
To make two wards here would merel
be a political excuse to send two men I
the City Committee instead of one. Th
entire purpose Of this proposal
political.
Court Action Hinted
"In fact, am not ure that tn
entire act OF the commissions is nc
invalidated by the fact that one of tn
men who signed the petition for parti
ton sat as a member Of the commission
Ward partition Is all wrong. The
are talking now. rather. of consolidatin
small wards, instead Of dividing larg
ones. There can be no civic gain by th
division of Germantown. you may res
assured Of that. Why, this commissio
at hearings refused to accept resolution
on tho matter from representative civi
bodies Of this section. This entire mat
ter Is very distressing to me-"
William Fl. Emhardt. president OF h
Germantown and Chestnut Hill I'm
provement Association. suggested thl
the court might throw out the recon
mendation of the commission when th
matter Is laid before 1t for confirmation
There must be shown a real req
son. said Mr.. Erhardt. No such res
son 10 shown here. II Is q purely fac
tional measure. The committee WI
controlled by the Ware faction. Four
I've members Of the commission a,
Ware followers. The reason for wantir
Ne ward divided Is to leave the upp,
independent section by itself, having Il
t~u~~>. .cA stuhk g. AZ u,l, =.