Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-11
Bishop Arraigns
Chicago on Bell

II have made no positive statement
whether the bell would or would not be
sent" the Mayor concluded as he called
for arguments from those favoring the
western trip.
DR.. Evans. one of the leaders Of
delegation from Chicago. then advanced
his reasons for advocating n loan of the
bell. He said It was not meant simply
to send It to Chicago but to the CEN
tral point in the Middle West. where it's
influence might radiate through the
entire West.
"icu people will hold IL Scsqui Cen.
tennial In three years." he continued,
and YOU will want the support of the
Middle West. Yet you would refuse
to send the Bell there.
"a refusal would be n keen disap.
pointment to the millions of school chill
dren who signed the petition. They
have been taught TO revere the Bell.
The great business interests of the West
are back Of this movement also.
Ridicules Hazards Of Trip
You will want the support of those
business interests for your Sesqui Cen
tcnnial. Yet some of you would refuse
to lend us the Bell.
You speak of the hazards of the
trip. In the last four months there
we're 3OS, sol train movements on the
eastern lines of the Pennsylvania Rail.
road. And for that great total there
were but sixteen accidents, mostly
trivial. That is only one accident to
1925 train movements.
Bishop Neely was called on to give
his views. lie began with a statement
Council would not hnve passed the res
ala, Go Il hnn
stampeded by the patriotic speeches of
the Chicago delegation.
Bishop Neely then spoke Of the pos
sibility that a railroad accident might
shattcr the Bell. Such an eventuality,
he continued, would be fatal for Phln-
delphia. He spoke of the rail strike
situation and said the Government was
considering the use of regular troops.
"A Gamble With Risks"
1T is a gamble with risks and pos
sibiliiies," the Bishop continued, point
ing finger at Mayor Moore, "and you,
sir, are opposed to gambling Therefore,
you should be opposed to gambling with
the Bell. You have no right to risk it.
The idea that the Bell belongs to
the country is entirely erroneous. 1t
belongs to Philadelphia. 1t is part of
the furnishings Of Independence Hall.
Furthermore, it was in Chicago for
six months during the Columbian Ex-
position and II it did not convert the
people there to patriotism, then it will
not convert them now
The Bishop then referred to the peo-
pie of Chicago as "unruly and un-
patriotic
Major William G. Murdock, adju-
tant of the Department of Pennsyl-
! ,n,,yn 4 4
resolution Of the Illinois department of
the Legion asking for the bell.
Speaking for himself. Major Muir
dock urged IL postponcmcnt of de-
cision until the railroad situation be-
came more settled
Mrs. Hay Urges Safeguards
Mrs. Daniel s. Kay, representing sew
cral patriotic societies. told of CONVEX
sation she had with the lutc Mayot
Blankenburg, In which he had expressed
regret that their efforts to keep the bell
here on that occasion and suggested
thnt in the future some safeguard Ec
plnced about 1t SO that 1t could no be
removed
Mrs. Kay pointed out that when the
bell was taken to st. Louis in 1904 1t
was housed In an empty building, with
spitoons around 1t and was unguardcd
so that passcrsby pokcd mt it like they
would at monkey In cage. or as they
might feed an elephant peanuts.
Mrs. Kay suggcsteS that the lesson of
the bell could as we'll be taught by pic
lures and in replica.
AT this point the Mayor interrupted
Mrs. Kay. lie said:
THE Mayor has deep interest in the
future Of the citizens in the c0ngestcd
districts where there are many foreign =
born who are immersed in industrial
conditions, who might bc better intlu
enced If they have the inspiration of
the BELL and of the Dcclarhtion Of In :
dependence. These relics might have n
wonderful influence on the country out :
side OF Philadelphia If we could get
money and think more Of the ideals OF
the founders of this country.
Il would like to hear some one dis
Gus the inspritional effects of a wider
display Of those relies"
Causes Of Outlawry
In reply Mrs. Kay said that the late
Governor pennypacker had said that,
If you sent q fve-leggcd COW around
the country you would arouse as much
enthusiasm ns would the bell
Continuing Mayor Moore said: u
would not say that outlawry was due
altogether to foreign invasion. Much
IS due to local and native conditions
which ned inspiration as much as any
thing else
'"Thc foreign born don't know much
about American tradition. How can
we help them to know them better? W,
have to trent this condition more di
rcctly than we have in the past.
Our legislative body and our law,
are feeling the effect Of this lack OF
contact with our American traditions
Our laws are. confusing and in some
cases in conflict with our traditions
and liberty.
, "Whnt is the effect Of patriotism
What is the effect of these relics Of on,
early beginning? We cant induce tn,
people of the country to come in phila
d"lphin so that we may treat then
Alright,
Mira. Walter II. Sterling. 4C1(
Spruce street, member of the Phila
dclphia chapter, Daughters of tn,
; Philadelphia bought the land Stat,
House and Bell from the Commonwealth
Of Pennsylvania in 1916 for so, 900.
The deed, dated June 20. 1918, IL
preserved at City Hall, she said. Mrs
! Sterling argued that the Liberty Bell 4
n fixture and part of the realty pur
chased by the city. Removal of tn
: Bell from the tower, she insisted, di
not make it any less n fixture.
$ Responsibility Is Stressed
= 1T was not the intention of ou
: forefnthers to remove 1t from Indepen
r dence Hall and send it about the coun