Perpetuity in Philadelphia

Justices of the U. S. Supreme Court hold their jobs only for life. Philip H. Johnson, architect of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, legally held office "in perpetuity," but last week Death --coming as it must to all jobholders--brought even his job to an end. Johnson's late wife was a sister of "Judge" Israel Durham who 30 years ago was a power in Philadelphia politics. In 1903 Durham got the city council to vote his brother-in-law a perpetual contract as architect at a fee of 6% of the total cost of constructing and equipping all buildings built for the city Health Department.

Architect Johnson appointed a corps of plumbing, heating, brick and carpentry inspectors who drew $75 per week from the city. Their official work was not heavy and he saw to it that they were men who could carry their election districts. With the aid of this political organization he was able to stave off efforts to cancel his contract in 1905, 1913, 1916, 1932, was even able to get contracts for other city jobs. When a hostile administration hired another architect to build a hospital unit, Johnson sued, made the city pay him his fee.

Meanwhile his earnings piled up. In 30 years they reached an estimated total of $1,800,000. Although he always wore a derby when conferring with people in his office, he was fond of stylish clothes, wore a flower in his buttonhole, cut a figure about town. In time he acquired the 100-ft. yacht Margaret, became a commodore of the Philadelphia Yacht Club. He lived in Germantown, had a winter home at Hobe Sound, Fla. Last week, heart trouble took away his job in the only way in which it could be taken.

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