The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-09-26
BLAME On
LACK Of
FUNDS
Philadelphia to Spend Half
Billion in Five Years-one-
Tenth Sum Enough Here.
By VINCENT F. CALLAHAN.

q half billion dollars in improve
ments within the next five years.
II Washington could spend one
tenth of this amount in the same
period, the National Capital would
have an opportunity to "catch up"
In its development, delayed through
lack Of appropriations.
Keeping q just Pace.
The Quaker City is looking ahead.
Its municipal government is devel-
Oping just as fast as its real estate
operations are extending throughout
its suburbs.
The war hit Philadelphia Just as
hard as Washington Building and
other developments were held back
When the war ended, PHILADELPHIA
did not.
Philadelphia this year Is spend-
Ing some SIS. 900 900 on Improve
ments. It is building new schools,
flrehouses, police stations, extend
Ing Its water and sewerage systems.
building up its water front and i'm
proving its city in every way.
The growth OF the Quaker City is
not surprising. Philadelphia is
merely keeping pace with other
american cities which are forging
: ahead. Washington is not among
the cities Of this country which are
progressing.
Philadelphia covers a 129-suuare
mile area, compared with 20 square
miles in Washington The city's
population is nearly 1000, 900 com.
pared with 1900 in Washington.
Being twice the size of Washing
ton and with a population four
times as large, Philadelphia should
be spending possibly four times as
much money for improvements as
the National Capital.
The Quaker City, however, is
spending nearly 100 times as much
As Washington for improvements.
The northern city is Indebted 70
the extent of s231, 900 900. Wash.
1ngton win be debt free next wear.
Washington is more able to finance
permanent improvements, but it is
not doing so.
Even though fits indebtedness is
running high the city is not call
Ing halt to its progress.
Quaker City Budget.
The city council Of PHILADELPHIA
last week unanimously approved a
bond issue for the Quaker City of
81, 0O0,0 900. In November the peo.
pie OF the city will vote on the
floating of this issue 1t is pre-.
dicted the issue will be approved by
q large majority.
Here is how Philadelphia plans to
use it's $71, 100000:
A $4,000. 600 fifteen.year loan.
Paving, 100000.
Country roads, 500, 900.
Repaving. $4,000 900.
Refunding of tunnel at house Of
correction, 100000.
Permanent improvements under
department. of safety-$340, 900.
A $6S,0O0,0 900 loan for fifty years.
Delaware river bridge, $e,423 900.
Mandamuses, $5,077, 900.
Sewage disposal, $4,000 900.
Transit, $25, 900, 900.
Water supply, Sc, 200 900. -
Port, $1,000 900.
Health, 100000
Recreation, $500, 700.
Paramount Park, $3.50, 900.
Welfare buildings, $500 900.
City Hall annex. 50. 000, 900.
Public Library, 81, 000, 900.
Art Museum, $4,000 900.
House of detention, $500 900.
Grading, 100000.
Main sewers,$2 900 900.
Branch sewers, 81, 900, 00O
Repairing old sewers, $500 900.
Bridges, 100000
Bridges, street trolley to Poquess
ing creek, $3.50, 000
Extension of high pressure water
system. 100000.
Near Borrowing Limit.
This loan, If passed in Novem
Der. win increase the city's deb
20 within less than $4,000, 900 OF
the limit Of its borrowing capacity
Since the. war ended, Philadelphia
has obtained authorization from tht
people of the city to float a dozen
bond issues, totaling nearly $500, 900.
900. All OF the issues have not as
yet been floated. The rates of inter
est for these bonds range from 4 t.
81 per cent.
Philadelphia Is now spendinI
millions Of dollars in improve
ments.
The school situation lin PhiIadeI
phia IL improving. The board O
education Of that city operates in
dependently of the city govern
Nineteen schools azs now helm,