Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-31
FRANKLIN SPENCER EDMoNDs
On the Voters League

TNIIE Voters League is not manifestation
i of sporadic reform nor a new political
party, but permanent organization de-
voted to the cause of good government IN
the city and State, according to Franklin
Spencer Edmonds, member of the Legisla-
ture and director and acting chairman or
the Committee on Political Action of the
League.
This organization,' said Mr.. Edmonds,
sis n permanent political and constructive
body, formed to see that public officers do
their duty and are aided in its performance,
and to suggest candidates for othce VINO
we believe are best fitted to perform these
duties.
1T Is composed of about 400 members at
present. students and workers, who shall
continuously bend their efforts toward
better government in the city and State.
Its principal objects are: The guarding
of the interests of citizens in the enforce
ment of laws and ordinances, including elec-
ton and registration laws, and in the per
formanCe of city contracts.
Aiding in the improvement of laws and
ordinances especially affecting the citizens
of Philadelphia, including election and
registration laws. Aiding in the nomination
and election of competent ofhcials dev0ted
TO the public interest, whose duties AFFECT
primarily the interests of Philadelphia.
Is Political Clearing House
semination of information concerning civic
affairs and through which complaints and
suggestions relating to the above mentioned
subjects may be received and acted upon.
During past years we had n number of
reform movements with organized parties.
such as the City, the William Penn. the
Franklin, the Keystone and similar inde-
pendent parties. which flared up, figured for
a single campaign and then died out.
TO accomplish results civically and po-
litically there must be permanent organi-
Zation. Temporary organizations are likely
to be composed of enthusiasts. those who
may have half baked ideas and whose sclec
tions are likely to be those who happen to be
riding on the crest of the wave ut the time,
whether they happen to be best fitted for
Office or not.
"rhe advantage of regular organizations
is that they do understand the field in which
they are working and have benefited by
their experience and former mistakes, and
they will have little lost motion, On the
other hand, the organization is likely from
its nuture to become hide bound and to be
more interested in self seeking than in the
community which it is ostcnsby serving.
The Voters League, as an organization
and individually, proposes to study every
should come before the people 1t will then
act not as individuals. but as a body. 1t
will serve not only as research body, but
MS an acting one rs well. 1t will co operate
with these objects.
VIII Back Candidates
"It will recommend candidates for public
office and when necessary will put them in
nomination Where suitable candidates for
| office are not brought forward it will even
| 90 out and seek them and induce them to
| run
Just now we arc particularly interested
| in the candidates. of Samuel i. ROtan
| for District Attorney, Vivian Frank Gable
for Register of Wills, Colonel George +.
Krmp for Receiver of Taxes. Edwin Wolf
| for Controller and Arthur Graham for City
| Treasurer
trcasurcrship and the various magstcrial
| nosts Our sub committee under Mrs.
| Frank Miles Day, chairman, is Investigate
ing the 300 odd candidates for magistrate,
| and in a short time expects to be able to
name those whom it will support.
"Une thing that we will cndcavor to stop
| i the pcrnicious fee system. The offices oil
Register of Wills and City Treasurer now
benefit handsomely by this system. This
| mnv hnyc been II simple matter at one time
but since the population and the city and
its taxes have all grown enormously in the
meantime it has now become most i'm =
portant matter.
Would Stop Money Leak
"It means II few thousands of dollars an
| nually that really should go into the treasury
70 the credit of the taxpayers, and not into
thr pockets of an individual 1t is one OF
thc leaks that have so far stopped the se-
ruring of lower tax rate. The man who
benefits by fees is quite naturally likely tC
fight any public improvements. as it mean,
so much less money for him as II conse-
Quencc.
1--WE think that the cost of government
generally should come down, Just as we hay,
demanded that individuals wages and profits
come down. This applies not only TO the
country and State, but to the cities as well