A pol remembered ... & how he got that 'X'

Former City Council President George X. Schwartz, who died in his sleep Friday in Center City, nearly took a secret to his grave yesterday.

But his only son couldn't pass up the chance to tell the little-known story about how his 95-year-old father got the mysterious "X" in his name.

When the West Philly High grad was in Temple Law School, the place had two George Schwartzes, William "Billy" Schwartz told about 90 mourners at funeral services at Joseph Levine & Sons, on Broad Street near Cheltenham Avenue.

"My father used to get called into the office because the other George Schwartz never paid his bill, and [my father] was tired of it," he added. "So he put an 'X' in his name" so that Temple could tell the difference between them.

"My dad was dedicated to helping people, all people, regardless of color, creed or gender," he added. "And he was always there for me and my sisters," referring to Marjorie and Susan, his voice cracking with emotion.

Grandson James B. Dilsheimer, 44, a lawyer, confronted the unsavory legacy of his grandfather's 1980 conviction in Abscam, a controversial FBI sting involving a phony Arab sheik, which ensnared 31 politicos from here, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

"It made him seem interesting and colorful to me," said Dilsheimer, then a 19-year-old college sophomore.

Schwartz, then City Council President, was convicted of conspiracy and extortion for accepting a $30,000 bribe, but the federal trial judge overturned the verdict, admonishing the FBI for "entrapment."

An appellate court reinstated the conviction, which was unsuccessfully appealed twice to the U.S. Supreme Court. Schwartz was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison, and afterward declined to discuss the ordeal with family and friends.

During Schwartz's 20 years in City Council, eight as president, the dapper dresser with a silver mane, known as the "Silver Fox," mentored political careers while ruling with an iron fist.

In interviews after the funeral services, several current and former Philadelphia political leaders in attendance remembered Schwartz fondly.

Former City Councilman Ed Schwartz recalled that when he first testified before Council about tax reform long before he was elected, the Council president advised him to clarify that they were not related.

"I was planning to start my testimony with, 'Hi, Dad!' " shot back the younger Schwartz.

"I learned an enormous amount sparring with him for three or four years," he added. "I learned that you'd damn well better know what you're talking about, or look like an idiot."

State Rep. Mark Cohen recalled the late Council president as "the only voice in the mid- to late '70s who opposed cuts to social services and the school district."

"Other than my father" - the late Councilman David Cohen - he added, Schwartz "was the Council member who most fought with mayors" from Joseph Clark to James H.J. Tate to Frank Rizzo.

Former District Attorney Lynne Abraham said that she got to know Schwartz when she headed the Redevelopment Authority and had to ask Council for funds.

After Abraham was fired during a political war between Rizzo and his aides and Schwartz and Pete Camiel, then head of the Democratic Party, she said, Schwartz "asked me to work for City Council, then run for judge."

"He was always good to me and kind to me," she added. Despite Abscam, "I never forget the people who helped me get to where I got."

Schwartz was known for strong constituent services.

Defense lawyer Nino Tinari said that Schwartz knew Tinari's parents when he headed the "Fightin' 34th." The ward leader had a bocce court installed and named for Tinari's father at 65th and Daggett streets, in West Philadelphia.

"My mom used to play blackjack with him down in Atlantic City," said former state Sen. Robert Rovner, now a radio host.

For 40 years, Schwartz was "my friend and my mentor," said U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, who was hired by Schwartz as Council's sergeant-at-arms, then "supported me all the way."

Schwartz's advice to Brady: "Always keep your word."

Besides his three children, Schwartz is survived by 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was laid to rest at Montefiore Cemetery in Rockledge, Montgomery County.