Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-21
THE STATE is PREPARED
Adjutant General seary Ready to
Cope With Fire, Flood or Disaster.
General Lewis TrIbuto--one
Man Who Was Forced
Into Office
BY GEORGE NOx MCCAIN


A DJUTANT GENERAL FRANK ID.
n BEARY stated n curious fact and, in
cidentally, proposed question the other day.
They are interesting in view of the pres
| Ont outbreak Of influenza In England and
| France.
"Are you aware that during the influenza
| epidemic in the fall and winter Of 1918 more
people died in Pennsylvania of the plague
than all the battle killed American soldiers
in the World WARP"
Then he went on
The total number Of American troops
killed outright in battle in Europe during the
war was slightly in excess of $4,000. The
total number of influenza deaths in this
state was something over 10000"
General Beary emphasized, as others since
have done, the fact that the people did not
ut the time appreciate the full horror and
extent of the influenza plague.
we were in the midst Of war;" he said,
"All our national and individual efforts were
ccntered In winning. Under the circum-
stances the deadly influenza was merely a
passing incident.
''As a matter of fact, it was the most dis
astrous visitation of death this State and
the country at large has ever experienced.
1T was veritable plague"
| GENERAL BEARY'S experience with the
~ pestilence and the story of the Halifax
disaster were responsible for important
changes in the States military establishment.
The people are vitality interested in these
changes, or precautions rather, which have
never fully been set forth.
Lack of rapid and efficient transportation
and the necessity Of immediate supplies Of
food, shelter. medicine and surgical aprli
ances were sorely apparent in the Halifax
horror.
The inadcouacy of Penusylvania's pre-
paredness during the influenza epidemic or
plague was equally evident
-. There was inadequate auto tr0nsporta-
ton.
The lack Of instant readiness of surgical
and medical supplies. largely the result Of
the war, was emphasized.
1t was this experience that caused Cen
eral Beary to begin the work that has put
PENNSYLVANIA squarely to the front in this
respect.
Every minute of the day or night now the
state is equipped ready TO answer any
emergency call in fire. food or disaster.
Nine high powered massive trucks with
the readiness of the Philadelphia Fire De-
partmcnt stand waiting
At the State Arsenal in Harrisburg and
IN State depOtS elsewhere are hundreds Of
wall. shelter and mess tents.
lhcE can be used as hospitals or dwellings
win accompanying cots. camp chairs. tables
and utensils.
EVERY conceivable necessity in case of
- calamity is available.
There arc StrctchcrS, surgical instruments
and bandugCs, anesthetcs and antiscptCs.
Medical stores, foods. bed clothing. every
thing conceivable that might be needed. can
be reQuisiIioncd and forwarded rs rapidly
as trucks can be loaded.
within an hour after We get word in
harrisburg OF any great calamity or disas-
ter our trucks, fully manned and loaded with
supplies. can he on the road. said General
Beary.
1t is well for the people of Pennsylvania
to know this
1t is worth while for them to know and
appreciate what real efficiency in our mill
tary establishment means outside the matter
OF arms and ammunition, drill and dress
parade.
CAMUEL $. LEWIS. Auditor General
~ was, during Senator pcnrose's lifetime.
bis personal friend and enthusiastic follower.
After the Sosator's death Mr. Lewis began
casting about for some way in which to eX-
press in practical fashion an appreciation
OF the senator : friendship.
At this point we glance backward
For fifteen years. and up to the senior
senator's death. Samuel Dunbar'S face was
familiar TO every State politician who called
Mt the PcnrOsC offices in tho Commercial
Trust Building.
For Dunbar. during all these years. was
in charge of the offices.
lie was n combination stcnographcr and
Office manager.
In military terms. he was liaiSon officer
between Senator Tcnrose and the politicians
whom he wished to sec.
Sam Dunbar began a. Il messenger boy in
State Republican headquarters in 1903, when
he was fifteen years old.
On the recommendation Of W. X. An
drews, State chairman and private secrC-
tary to senator PcnrosC. he was taken over
by the latter us his private messenger.
The Senator took Il fancy to the lad and
Itt, 1 I..I,I
and paid for his tuition.
After his graduation he took charge of
the Senators Philadelphia Offices. That was
in 1910
SAMuEL :. LEWIS. as he rose to COM
~ manding position in York County poll
tics, had frequent occasion to meet Sam
Dunbar.
lie knew the confidence that Pcnrnse re-
posed in him. Besides, Dunbar's courtesy to
him personally made lasting Impression.
Unfortunately. the Senator had made no
provision for Mr. Dunbar, and the closing
Of the Philadelphia Offices left him. with his
extensive knowledge of men and politics,
without situation.
Auditor General Lewis is going 70 supply
him with one. 1t is his tribute to the dead
Senator.
Sam Dunbar will be one Of General Lewis
own anpointces in the Mercantile Apprais.
Crs Offices in this city.
THE rarest phenomenon in Pennsylvania
politics is man who has to be forced
into public office.
Here permit me to introduce Mayor w.
4. Magoe. Of Pittsburgh,
During his recent campaign Mr.. Magcc
promised 10 inauguratc certain reforms in
the event Of his election.
Promises Of reform are all right. but the
most cXasperating aud difficult thing is TO
find the man who can do the reforming and
has the confidence Of the people that he is
sincere.
The arrow in ttSburgh'S muniriDuI