Desire to Improve the City as Well as Effect Economies During the course of a reception to a party of journalists in Tsi tao last week, Gen, Keh ing-en, the new Mayor of Tsingtao, outlined his plans and hopes for Tsingtao and the progress and improvement of the port. In asking hhis hearers for frank criticism concerning his administration, Gen. Keh requested them to adopt imptttial attitude when making: comments.
As to his future policy, this was dictated by the National Goverament: it was his duty to carry out orders. Tsingtao being unlike Shanghai and Tientsin, where there were foreign concessions, he wished to develop the interests and the utilities of the port as a great and sate city, For this reason, he wished to ask for the ce-operation of all residents. "I shall not what is beneficial only to my personal. interests," said. the Mayor, have come here to develop Tsingtao and to work for the people. I am a public servant and it is my duty'to serve the people, am primarily interested in the financial problems as things do not seem to be properly adjusted in this direction, Therefore, it is _necessary to reduce expenses and cut down the administrative staff. With the money saved, I propose to in the highest interest. of Tsing! Iuecatise the financial situation doe not "permit of further drawings from the Central Government," said Gen. Keh, After outlining the history—of] Tsingtao, the speaker said that it ud to be admitted that there had not een much improvement since the Chinese took back Tsingtao. This was due to troubles attendant upon the revolution and to lack of administrative ability.—Notwitnstanding this, Tsingtao's trade had increased and he proposed to pay paw attention to the building of now wharves because, with the increase of Referring to the cultural side and the development of educational facilities, Gen, Keh mentioned that 8 but he and his administration were anxious to develop educational work, There was, in much room for progress in this respect and the speaker looked to the: future when Tsingtao could offer intention to encourage physi ture, Apropos of labour difficulties, Keh had heard of labour unr tsingtao and had tried to make himself conversant with affairs. While Jeaving questions in dispute between capital and labour for settlement anion themselves, he would see to it that questions brought forward for mediation and compromise wore dealt with by the Administra. tion in ce-operation with the Kuomintang so as to reach equitable settlements. When strikes occur, it} would be his policy to work with the party in suppressing them. Nevertheless, it was his duty have regard' to the interests of, Voth Inbourers and factory owners.
Another serious question was that of unemployment. The admi tion in the past had done to dispose of surplus labour by giving unemployed men money to return to their homes but this di permanently solve the problem for the Iabourers returned. The administration did not ask that surplus Labour should be taken back into the factories for there were naturally many whom the Administration were anxious to be rid of and these would be treated in accordance with the regulations governing undesirables. In the event of peaceful persuasion failing, the Administration would resort to force. The Mayor was aware that many workers of honest. families were without employment. With the cost of living so high, he realized their hardships and " ne Taped that evry fealty would be ven to these to improve their fiving conditions and to relieve them of their burdens.
In conclusion, Gen. Keh again apspealed for friendly criticism, not personal or reckless attacks." He would always welcome friendly eri-ticism and advice.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.