MILTON'S RALLYING: 'I GOT TO KEEP GOING'

MILTON STREET'S first campaign promise? Already broken.

After pledging he would continue his run for mayor only if he could draw 5,000 people to a March 1 rally, the mayor's big brother yesterday changed his tune.

"I know I said that if I didn't get 5,000 people out here today I would not run. But there's something within me . . . I got to keep going. I got to keep on pushing," Street said to more than 100 people assembled outside City Hall.

Street, 67, faces federal charges for failing to report $2 million in Philadelphia International Airport consulting fees. He was recently arrested in Moorestown, N.J., for outstanding traffic warrants. And questions also have been raised over whether he meets the residency requirement to run.

"There's all these movements out here to keep Milton Street off the ballot," Street said atop a stage on the west side of City Hall before the crowd of mostly news media and passing gawkers. "Let the voters decide."

During an emotional 45-minute speech, Street unveiled a coffin to emphasize the city's homicide problem; sang a hymn, "If I Can Help Somebody," and said a prayer. A keyboardist played soft organ music in the background throughout.

"You told me that if I had the faith of the mustard seed - an itty-bitty mustard seed - I could move mountains," he said.

Street said that he was going to have a band play but that two of the musicians were shot and killed yesterday morning. Police said they were unable to confirm his claim.

Stopping violence was the focus of Street's comments. He said he would place a curfew on corner stores as part of his anti-crime effort.

"You have these stores run by the Asians staying up until 2 in the morning," he said. "I'm going to shut them down by 9 o'clock. . . . What business do you have if you're not selling drugs?"

A man in the crowd yelled, "Wonton soup!"

To get on the May 15 Democratic primary ballot, Street must submit nominating petitions with the signatures of 1,000 registered voters by Tuesday. After the rally, a handful of people were spotted signing petitions.

Since he announced his campaign on Feb. 15, Street has repeatedly been questioned about his residence. The city charter requires that a mayoral candidate live in Philadelphia for the three years prior to the November general election.

On Street's federal indictment for fraud and tax evasion, the Moorestown home owned by Street's girlfriend is listed as his residence. But Street has claimed that he has lived with his daughter in Philadelphia for years and that his girlfriend's home is a "secondary" address.

Despite the family ties, Mayor Street did not attend the rally. He said he was in a Cabinet meeting with top city officials.

"I did not consider it and I probably would not have gone out if I hadn't been in a Cabinet meeting," he said. "I haven't attended any events for the mayoral candidates, and I'm probably not going to start doing that just yet."

On his brother's legal problems, Mayor Street noted that people are innocent until proven guilty. "In the meantime he is entitled to all the benefits and privileges of citizenship, and if he decides he wants to run, he's entitled to do that."

Street's trial is scheduled to begin May 14, the day before the Democratic primary. A new lawyer - Jeremy H. Gonzalez Ibrahim - was appointed to represent Street this week. His former attorney quit, citing "irreconcilable differences."

After the rally, asked what he might do if his mayoral effort fails, Street dropped some hints about where his attention-seeking candidacy could lead.

"I have some options," Street said. "I mean, there are some other things I can do. I may do some talk radio. People have expressed an interest, without me giving out a lot of information, about me doing some talk radio. As a job. So I need a voice. So I guess I'll position myself where I can best have my voice heard." *

Staff writers Chris Brennan, Mark McDonald, Michael Hinkelman and David Gambacorta contributed to this report.