Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-22
OEVEL|N ATTACKS
lEGAu|Ty.0F PLANS
| FOR VICTORY HALL
Says Structure Should Be Built
by Officials Responsible to
and Directed by Council
STRESSES NEED OF LAWS
TO CENTRALlZE AUTHORITY
County Commissioners Say
They Will Not Change Any
Part Of Their Program

Councilman James 4. Develin. inde-
pendent leader Of City Council.
launched an attack today against the
legality Of plans of the County Com
niseioners to build a Victory Conven-
tion Hall at cost OF $4,000, 900 ana
possibly more.
1t Is hinted that Mr.. Dcvlin's ohjec-
lions may lead to taxpayers suit
against the expenditure Of tn" money
by the Commissioners. In fact. the
question Of starting suit has already
been discussed by Mr.. Nevelin with
Owen J. Roberts, an attorney.
Devclin's Objections
Mr.. Dsvalin's objections on legal
grounds to the proposal of the Count!
Commissioners to build the Victory
Convention Hall are based on thr""
points: First. that the Act Of Assembly
which gives County Commissioners
throughout Pennsylvania tie power -
build such structure does not apply
20 Philadelphia second. that the act in
question would provide the funds nv
taxation levied by the commissioners,
whereas the Act Of 1884 ~tiNuIates that
the Commissioners shall spend no money
except that levied and appropriated by
Council; and third. that the Depart
ment of Public Works is tho proper an-
thority to have charge Of the construc-
tion Of all public buildings.
Holmes Going Ahead
George +. Holmes. president Of the
Board of County Commissioners, said
today:
."The County commissioners ar" 60
ing right ahead with tho present pro-
gram and decline tn enter into con :
troversy with Mr.. pevclin "r anybody
else. IL Mr. Develin wants 10 stop tn"
building OF Victory Hall that Is up to
him.
"The County Commissioners have n
direct mandate from the people 10
build this hall and that they propose
to do unless they are stopped. Inc
proposition Camc before Us officially
after its approval by two successive
Grand Juries. which was direct COM
mand to us to place the question h"'
fore the people.
"At the election in November, 1871
It was overwhelmingly approved
These facts have been we'll known fo,
some time. They have bc'n wei
known to Mr.. pevelin. They have beel
tention this act was called before {
single step was taken
Every step taken by the Count,
Commissioners has been given fulles
publicity and, up TO this time, has ha'
The apparent approval of everybOd,
concerned, including the newspapers
"Tho question which now arises j.
Why this sudden, violent alarm owe
the legality OF the proceedings
To Codify Finance Laws
Plans are now under way to cal or
the Legislature in the session which
begins next month TO codify the finance
laws of the city and county 50 as e
center all control over funds for nov
public buildings in Counci! and ali sIi.
pervision OF plans and construction II
the Department OF Pubic Works. II i
I pointed out this campaign wOult
eliminate such conditions as no"
prevail. for example. with respect 70 th'
Art Museum which is being built by tht
Park Commission and which Is to cost
more than $4,000 900. when it wa
originally thought it would cost abou
E3 ,00O, 900. In this case the commission
gets the money from Council, which get
II from the people through taxes, bu
Council has 10 direct control over th'
expenditure. \ somewhat similar con
dition exists with respect TO the MuniC!
pal Court.
Counclmen Develin and Patton. in
dependent leaders, proposed TO-DAY tina
the State Legislature should study tn
growing cSrAp,ications in Philadelphia
finances IN relation 10 new public build
ings and do something 20 vest control O
funds and work in the CIV Council an
the Administration, thus eliminating III
J.. 1..,g Er,l
ness.> ost motion and lack Of cheek IN
herent in the separate legal entities n
the city and county government. and Il
such bodies ny the County Commission
ers. the courts and the PAX Commits
sion. Discussion Of this movement wa
aroused by an editorial published i
yesterday s PUBLIC LEDGER, which dis
cussed the Victory Hall plans and pro
posed that the structure be built D
officials responsible TO Council.
Looking TO Pinchot
Those in sympathy with the plan Q
centralizng control Of public building
and expenditures are confident Of th
support OF the new State Adm!nlstra
tion for the reason that Mr.. PinChc
himself aims at the same character {
economy, efficiency and reorganizatiO
In the States government and finance,
As matter of fact, the proposal f.
codiication and Capitalization hi
already been informally nnd skrtchi
presented TO Councilman Hall, majori,
leader Of Council, who will probably
an influential member Of Councils les
islat!vc committee which will seek Vi
rious measures Of home ru" for PhIf
delphia from the General .AsSemb
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