Cities: Just Like the Old Days

For 67 uninterrupted years, a powerful G.O.P. machine ruled Philadelphia—and stole it blind. Then, in 1951, a group of young, liberal Democratic reformers threw the Republican rascals out of office. During the next years, the last 5½ of them under Mayor Richardson Dilworth, the reformers, with their programs for slum clearance, improved park and recreation facilities, and road construction, made Philadelphia a model of municipal progress. But as of last week able, aggressive Dick Dilworth was fighting for his political life as his aging reform administration was swamped by scandal.

Blueblooded...