March 30, 1901 Ð Mayor Demands Construction of Giant Clothes-Pin
July 22, 2008 –
Mayor John Weaver yesterday emphatically demanded the construction of a giant clothes-pin as a complement to the recently-completed structure of City Hall. ÒIt is my belief that, as ornate and beautiful as this City Hall is, it is perhaps missing something,Ó he averred. ÒIn my opinion, that ÔsomethingÕ is a clothes-pin; erected close by, as tall and proud as a church-steeple.Ó
 Many in the administration were vexed by WeaverÕs curious desire. ÒA colossal clothes-pin in the very view of City Hall strikes the mind as perhaps more humorous than Ôproud,Õ Ó reflected Deputy Treasurer Roger Ashbridge. ÒAnd why a clothes-pin? Why not a wash-board, or a tin of soap-flakes?Ó Thaddeus Gould, of City-Council, too, was bemused by WeaverÕs request. ÒIt has taken thirty years to complete City Hall, yet, now that it is finished, John would like to construct a clothes-pin on the very same block! It is the breed of idea that comes in the throes of a fever-dream.Ó
Mayor Weaver, however, insisted that his idea was a sound one. ÒIt would be a beautiful thing indeed, this clothes-pin,Ó he asserted. ÒIndeed, the clothes-pinÕs shape and utility makes it one of the most glorious of all man-made objects.Ó He allowed, though, that the time may not be ripe for such a novel edifice. ÒPerhaps the notion is too radical for the minds of our citizenry. Yet it is my hope that, if not in the present, than perhaps in the future, the good people of Philadelphia will heed my call.Ó |
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January 7, 1950 Ð Philadelphia: Will it Ever Stop Growing?
As PhiladelphiaÕs robust population exceeds two million hearty citizens, the question must be raised: will this proud, bustling city of industry and commerce ever stop growing? ÒIt seems to me that Philadelphia will simply grow and grow and grow,Ó beamed Mayor Bernard Samuel, looking down at the lively metropolis from his perch in City Hall. ÒLook out, Chicago-town, is all I have to say!Ó
 The cityÕs sundry experts concurred with the mayorÕs sunny outlook. ÒWhy, I donÕt see why we shouldnÕt get to three million by, say, 1980,Ó averred University of Pennsylvania demographer Wilson Sweeney. ÒBecause, simply put, our employment base, schools, and quality of life are the envy of burgs from Cleveland to Omaha!Ó According to Drexel University statistician Brigham Todd, ÒOur population has doubled in a mere 60 years,Ó he marveled, gesturing toward an upward-trending chart. ÒWe are one heck of a go-go town, thatÕs for sure!Ó
Todd added that little would likely temper the ever-expanding cityÕs current explosion. ÒCertainly, weÕve seen a few folks moving out to the suburbs, but as long as weÕve got factories and businesses moving in, why, itÕll be up, up, up for Philadelphia! And where else would a factory want to be?Ó he laughed. ÒMexico?Ó Mayor Samuel was equally optimistic. ÒBoy, I can only imagine what this placeÕll be like in fifty years,Ó he reflected. ÒWhy, theyÕll probably have to circle the place with gates just to keep people out!Ó |
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