davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Public Health

Through its engineering and iaborn =
tory divisions. the Department of
Health has exercised an efficient super
vision over the public water supplies
of the state--in regard to their i'm
mediate adequacy and wholesomcness
and to the insuring of conditions which
provide against probable ur pussIple
failure in these directions. This has
required, in some instanc~5i the full
exhibit of those large powers conveyed
upon the department by act of Lcgis-
lature. The present report is one Of
generally safe water for the state, and
Of active and efficient measures being
taken to insure continuance of this
condition.
The department has had the cordial
and active CO. operation of the medical
profession of nearly all organizations
working toward better health. and
particularly of the Red Cross. Some
five thousand of the most active. able
and prominent citizens Of the state are
formally enrolled as n part of the
Health Department and are working
for no return other than that Incl
dent to public service we'll performed.
The department neeus Legislative
support in the direction Of a closer as
sociation with hospitals receiving state
aid; some supervision over both pub =
lie and private institutions in which
children are grouped. either from the
standpoint of health or charity; power
t. insist upon an adequate health ad
ministrGtion in the smaller cities: pro
vision for seQucstration and treatment
of transmissible diseases.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Women in Public Afdirs

Following the adoption by the re
cuirod number of states of III" Nine
toanth Amendment TO the Fdral Com
stitutiop, the women Of Pennsylvania
we're given the full rights and privi-
leges Of citizenship.
The advent of women into public
nositions will require some changes in
Tho laws governing certain of our official
affairs. The counties Of the common
wealth will be obliged 10 make ad"..
Guate provision for the comfort and
privacy, for example of women jurors.
These matters will work out gradually,
hut II may be necessary to have some
legislation, giving broader authority TO
county commissioners, and, in some in
stances, requiring action by them where
a dIlatOry disposition is indicated.
Undoubtedly, there will be demands
for mandatory provision for the elec-
lion or appointment Of women to GER
toin positions and to membership in
The various boards. My opinion is that
no distinction aS to sex should be made
among our citizens in any public ca
pacity, and that these matters be al
inwed TO work out according to good
Judgment and discretion. In our ad'
ministrative commissions and boards We
are adding women members az Oppor
tunity offers.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Capitol Development

The new Office building upon the Cap
itol development plan. which was au-
thOrized by the Legislature of 1910, has
been started and is now well under
way, the contract having been awarded
at very reasonable figure. The short
age of available space in Harrisburg
for the public offices and the necessity
for providing convenient accommoda- E
tions for some of the departments, now
scattered all over the town. led the
Board Of Commissioners of Public
Grounds and Buildings as an emergency
measure, to contract for the erection
of four temporary Office buildings. TO the
"nSt Of the Capitol. 1t is estimated that
these buildings will pay for themselves
at the prevailing rate of rentals in less
than four years or long before the space
they occupy il likely to be needed for
further extensions in the Capitol plan.
During the rental stringency other ac-
commodatiOns had to be secured for the
necessary work of the state government
and the new buildings will greatly re-
lieve this situation and enable most oi
the states employees to be grouped near
to the Capitol, thus saving time and
inconvenience.
feel that we should take advantage
of any decline in the cost of construc
tion to proceed with the work of com =
pleting the ultimate plans for the provi
sion of suitable Office buildings and the
beautifying Of Capitol Park.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Commissions to Report

Several commissions. entrusted w;,b
the duty of reporting upon many inn.
portant subjects. have been at worL
since the last session of the General
Assembly.
The Commission for the Revision n
the Tax Laws has prepared mo,
comprehensive report. and its recon
mendations, if enacted into law. wond
undoubtedly save the taxpayers a vsrr
large proportion of the present cost a
assessing and collecting the taxes of
the counties and municipalities.
The commission to revise the BANKING
laws has also many important recon.
mendations to make in the time Of sim
plifying and Strengthening the statute,
governing the banking business in tho
state.
The commission TO revise and Codfv
the laws relating to the insane and
feeble minded. the Penal Code Com.
mission, the d-Age Pension CommlS.
sion, the Health Insurance Commission
and the commission to investigate law,
relating to recording of deeds and NOR
cages have all been giving attention :,
the subjects for which they were y
pointed.
In conclusion I may say that. whis
this program of suggestions and intOr.
nation has taken a long time in pra
senting. our affairs are of great i'm.
portancc and we must give them busi.
nesslike attention. trust that the pro
ceedings of the session may be expe
dited and that, as beginning in ou
plan Of economy and efficiency, we may
be able to make this session as brief A,
may be possible in view of the wOr!
to be done. Everything can be dis
posed Of in three active months, an
we should be able to adjourn in th
month Of April"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
additional Judges

Under the provisions of the consti-
tuition counties which shall have at
tanned n population of 100 900 are enti-
tied to have separate Orphans Courts.
created by proper enactment by the
General Assembly. Five counties of
the S'ute come into this class as n
result of the last census. am advised
that in most Of these counties tAe nTes-
ent judges are able to fulfill al of the
duties of their positions and keep
abreast OF their work. and that there
is no need of the creation of additional
iudgeshlps. The present laws govern
ing the Municipal Court in PHILADELPHIA
county and the county court in Al le-
Cheny county provide for the creation
OF additional judges for certain in
creaseS in the population of these cOun-
ties. NY information is that there are
now sufficient number of judges in
each of these courts to satisfactorily
attend TO all of the business coming
before them, and that the appointment
or election of additional Judges would
simply bring about additional expense
without any public need therefor.
The number of judges in Pcnnsyl J.
vania has been increased in recent
Years out of all proportion TO the in
crease in population or business. New
courts should not be created except
where urgent necessity is shown and O
change should be made in the laws pro
viding for the srecial courts in Phila
GrlphiR and Allegheny counties. so that
there would be no requirement to cs-
tablsh additional places there.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
agriculture

Agriculture il still the greatest single
industry in our commonwealth.
1t is important that the state interest
itself in and support the work Of Solv-
ing the agricultural problems that are
beyond the control of the individual or
the community.
Despite the fact that Pennsy lvania is
the sixth agricultural state in the union.
one phase in our agricultural develop.
ment is still neglected-that of n state
fair. Many other states less important
agriculturally than Pennsylvania have
greatly stimulated and developed their
agriculture, By bringing together each
year the best products and the best live
stock Of the farms. The establishment
of state fair for Pennsylvania ha
been advocated by the State Grange, tn,
press and our agricultural interests gen
orally. I would urge that the Legisla
ture take steps toward the establish
ment of a state fair such as our agri
culture and industry warrants.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
City Legislation

The new charter Of the city of Phila-
delphia, which was provided by the
last session, has been in operation for
a little more than year. and while it
is difficult SO soon to form an entirely
clear opinion AS to its workings. es-
pecially in view of the local political
turmoil which has undoubtedly pre-
vented the best results being shown, it
is only fair that the plan be given
full trial. before changes of moment
may be made There are probably minor
details which experience has shown
might be improved. but l feel that there
should be as little tinkcring as possible
with the fundamentals of the new char
ter at the present time.
The census of 1920 shows that the
territory included within the city limits
of Reading and Erie contains, in each
case. a population sufficient to warrant
these municipalities being proclaimed as
cities of the scond class. There seems
to be some reluctance upon the part Of
the citizens in both places to assume the
responsibilities and attendant expendi-
lures of this higher classification.
Amendment to the present law, pro-
viding for the classification Of cities.
which would raise the requirements Of
population of cities Of the second class
to 125 900. would not disturb the sit
uation further than to leave Reading
and Erie in their present positions. as
third class cities. II no action shall
have been taken by you upon this Ques-
tion, I shall regard it as my duty to
issue n proclamation placing the cities
of Reading and Erie in the second class.
Immediately upon the adjournment, OF
this session.
The third class city laws have worked
well, and there should be no return to
the confusion and irresponsibility which
marked the old plan of miscellaneous
city chartering.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Forestry

Within the last year the Department
of Forestry has been reOrganizcd
throughout. With the assistance and
approval Of the Forest Commission. all
of it's methods and policies have been
subjected to Il thorough going recon.
structi0n.
A well-organized plan of inspection
has been devised and started. The area
of forest land in charge of each forester
has been greatly increased. and there
is certainly a new spirit in the field
force.
A new policy in tree planting has been
adopted, including provision for the
the raising and distribution annually Of
at least 20,00O,Q 900 seedlings by the
charitable and correctional institutions
Of the state, whose CO. operation is most
valuable.
Since the forests of Pennsylvania can
now supply but one fifth of the lumber
indispensably necessary in agriculture
and industry within the state. and since
that small fraction will still further
diminish in the near future, it is of
the utmost importance to restore 10
forest production that part Of the state
which Is valuable for no other purpose.
One sixth of Pennsylvania, which can
grow trees but nothing else, is now
barren and unproductiye. Our first task
! In forestry in TO restore IL to production.
EQr that purpose nothing is 50 import.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Constitutional Rerision

Under the authority given by the 1919
session of the General Assembly. i ap-
pointed commission of twenty five
citizens of the state to study the consti-
tuition Of the commonwealth. and TO
make such recommendations as to its
amendment and revision as might seem
TO them desirable. No duty which I
have performed has given me greater
concern than the selection of this i'm
portant commission. and know Of no
body of citizens which has ever given
more conscientious and painstaking
service The Commission on Consti.
tutional Amendment and Revision. in
accordance with the law authorizing It's
creation, has devoted many months to
careful review of our constitution, and
will shortly submit to you n report as
to its findings.
It is n matter of public information
that this report, unanimously adopted
after the most thorough consideration
by this notably able and patriotic body
will recommend that the question of a
constitutional convention be submitted
to the people for their decision. and in
case this referendum is favorable to the
holding Of n constitutional convention.
that the machinery for the election Of
the members of convention be pro.
vidcd. and arrangements be made for
| holding such a convention. The report
will speak for itself and will give full
information as to the questions involved.
| am full in accord with the recon-
mendations of the commission. and feel
that now Is the time to give the people
an opportunity to revise their funda {.
mental law. TO simplify and strengthen it
and bring it into closer accord with the
/ opinion of the times.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Public " eltare

My experience in the Office Of Chief
Executive of the commonwealth has
strengthened an opinion, which have
long held, that all Of the functions and
duties performed by the several COM
missions and boards having to do with
the direction and oversight of the penal
and charitable institutions of the state
should be centered in an executive de-
partment to be located here at Harris
burg.
involve the elimination of the local
boards of trustees or administrators at
the various institutions, but would place
the supervision of all of these agencies
In a definite organization, and would
provide connection between them and
the executive authority of the state.
1t would simplify and make more effec-
tive many agencies working in the same
general direction, but ofttimes entirely
Without co ordination. In following this
plaa Of establishing a new DePagtment
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Soldiers Bonus

There will undoubtedly b. well or
ganized effort to secure action by the
General Assembly toward providing a
bonus payment to the honorahlv dis
charged soldiers. sailors and marines
from Pennsylvania who served in the
great war Aside from the desire upon
the part of every good citizen to suit
nbly recognize the services of our gal
liant defenders, the question is q most
important one and in case way can be
found to make possible an enactment of
the kind, it will be the largest financial
undertaking in the history of the state.
with the exception of the highway pro-
gram. There were approximately 350.-
600 PennSylvanianS who enlisted or
were called to the colors during the
great war. The sum involved in the
payment of a bonus to these men would
be very large, even at the minimum
figures which are now under discussion.
There seems to be some doubt as to
the right of the Legislature To apprO-
pirate public moneys for bonuses or
pensions under the provisions of the
present constitution and the difficulties
of securing sufficient funds under any
other plan except by an amendment TO
the constitution, which would clear up
any NOuDL US " Nllp uuuSt VI lht
matter and at the same time provide
the necessary funds by a loan, would
suggest that rs the only practicable
means Of realizing the general desire to
reward our service men. Under this
plan, the repayment of the loan could
be gradually made and the financial ar
rangementS of the state would not be SO
seriously disturbed.
\ study of the laws passed in other
states shows that twelve states up TO
the present time have adopted the
bonus plans. In all of these states. eX-
ccpt two. bond issues. ranging from
81. 900. 900 in Rhode Island to $40 900. =
600 in New York. have been authorized
or proposed. In Massachusetts $50, =
900 COO bond issue is provided. with a
direct military poll tax upon all citizens
ITO provide for its retirement.
4 straight allowance of 500 to each
soldier, sailor and marine would require
! Pennsylvania to raise Sb5, 900, 900. \
graduated allowance on the basis OF SlO
a month for service time would amount
| to about $40. 600. 900, and an allowance
nf SO month for home service and
SO n month tor overseas service would
bring the total w to $50 900 900
As the plan of the states participa =
tiOn in the granting of II bonus will be
more or less subject to the provision
which is to be made BY the Federal Gov
ernmcnt in tie matter, it would seem
| that q final CCncldSiOn. so far as Penn
sylvania is con 'erned, might be- deferred
until Congress hns acted. This would
not Interfere with the proposal of ar
, amendment to our state constitution
however. so thar no time need be lost
in the accomplishment of the ultimate
result.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18

shopkeeper in the state could sell them
TO minors and TO all others, without
restriction and In any desired quan
tity thousands of potential violators of
law might be created.
On the other hand. IL the safeguards
provided in the Brooks license law are
allowed TO remain, all applicants for
the privilege to sell these drinks would
as now be passed upon by the courts,
and offenders against the law as modi-
fled to agree with the federal statutes,
could be punished for violation O. its
provisions. No elaborate and expen-
sive enforcement machinery would be
necessary. The provisions Of the fed
eral enactments would be the law of
the statc as we'll, and every peace
officer of the commonwealth would be
charged with the duty of enforcing
them.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Employment of Prisoners

Cur Prison Labor Commission, with
the means at its command, has been
able to accomplish much good in the
employment of small proportion Of
our prisoners, but the work should be
greatly extended. In order to do this,
1t will bd necessary to amend the laws
forbidtfiny the sale of prison made
products.
Under the restrictive provisions of
the present law the courts of the
various counties are compelled to SEN
tence prisoners definitely to one or the
other of the state penitentiaries. The
result is that the Eastern Penitentiary
is greatly overcrowdcd. while there are
empty cells and abundant room in the
Western Penitentiary.
II transfer of prisoners could be
arranged much good would be accom- =
plished and a ridiculous situation would
be corrected.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Efficient Hospitals

The Pennsylvania plan of extending
state aid to hospitals and other char
table and philanthropic institutions has
been much criticized. but it cannot be
denied that it has built up great Or
ganizaton for real humanitarian service,
and has contributed greatly to the we'll
being of our people by providing facili-
ties in all parts Of the state for the care
Of the ailing and unfortunate.
At the present time 1t would be en-
tirely inadvisable to curtail the facili-
ties of our hospitals and institutions
receiving state aid in their work OF
caring for those of our citizens who
may need their services. Instead we
should insist upon better provision,
especially for our wounded and ailins
service men. Many of these are now
being cared for by our public hospitals,
and all who need care should be
promptly admitted.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
4mericdnisdfiOn

The census Of 1920 shows that there
are approximately 41S,0O0 adults in
Pennsylvania who runnot read or
write. These are found In every coun-
~ Of the state. This vast army of il
literates can share in only a limited
way in either the opportunities or the
obligations which citizenship in this
commonwealth affords. recommend
that an effective state wide program
for the elimination Of adult illitpracy
be inauguratpd without delay by cstab-
fishing a bureau for that purpose in the
Department Of Public instruction.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
Legislative Reapportion-
Hlpnt

1t is the plain duty of the General
Assembly. under the Constitution and
laws OF both the United States and of
the Commonwealth, after each deccnnial
census. to divide the State into Con-
gressional districts. containing as
nearly equal units of population as may
be possible. This duty was neglected
after the last preceding census, with
the result that the state has each year
elected four members of Congress with;
ont constituency. the Congressional
districts have been grossly unequal in
population, and the people have thus
been deprived of proper representa-
ton.
The Congress Of the United States
has not yet passed legislation provid-
ing for the numerical ratio OF appor-
tionmrnt for the next decade but will
probably do SO in time 10 enable us 10
perform the task Of redistricting the
state to comply with the requirements
of the new enactment. The plan now
favored in Congress. and which seems
likely of passage. provides for an in
crease in that body, which would give
TO PENNSYLVANIA four additional Con-
grcssmen, making forty in all. II we
Should fail 10 reapportion the state,
we would be in the ridiculous position
of having eight Congressman at Large.
II seems to me that this would be q
reflection upon the state. and would
place us in false light before the
country.
Our state constitution likewise pro-
vidns that the state shall be reappor-
TONED into senatorial and Legislative
districts following each census, and this
duty has been neglected for many years.
| We have senatorial districts ranging
IN size from $4,000 to 2S8,OW, truly
an unjust and indefensibe condition
and one which must be resented by the
people
| we'll recall the difficulties in passing
tbr last rcapportionment bill. and the
natter is one which will require much
"ffnrt upon the part of thoS" charged
/ With working out the intricate detall'
nf the necessary bills, but We cannot
avoid the responsibility and | urge upof
| you strongly that start may b" made
nromptIy toward making the necessar!
rrenarations for this important work
4 failure to remedy the existing inJus'
tice and inequality in the congressional
senatorial and legislative apportionmen
Of the state would be a blow nj thu
vary fundamentals of representative
Government. and confession upon on
TART of unthinkablc incapacity to NEE
the responsibilities of our positions.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-18
other Rerenue Possibilities


In case other plans for increasing tl" |
rnc,r.,r snould he desired il would he
-. t.,;,,, ., ,r,., mail ,,v
'"'"'" '"N'o' i" pas '''"'' ''N
upon IN" capital stock ot ta"Nr cor
uorat.ul- which are now exempted
,..,. ,,... ,.,,.,r,.,,t If s,.,a tova. u,,ur
..,',. ,'. .,,.., ;y"nns nrd wl;,d' n,r, 10,
,,,, .,,,,,. ,oy,,. ~ MI WLeo tIrv bantoI to
have rut our bonds which are held by
,nsidrnr~ uf thi, state. The tax upon
,ar>r COMPANIES. and e>rrciu!ly rpon
manufacturing corporations. should
never b" a heavy one. us they have No
,ub,in franchise, and hy their prrspnc"
in III" stat" aid in ~" development and
u,huildug If our romm.nitic4 and pro.
vide markers for Guy products. More.
u,cr. rary coulrhut" To- the Ioru, r"y-
ruur- and are NOT rxrInvt,.I A. in III,
case Of transportation companies which
pay heavy tax upon their stock aud