The times., 1901-06-17
The PhiIadeIphin Franchise Grab.

for all concerned that II IS So
The Philadelphia Franchise Grab
The better ii is understood the more
monstrous appears the outrage perpe-
trated upon the taxpayers of Phlladel-
phia by the granting OF the thirteen
railroad franchises to which The Times
has already referred. II now appears
that from the initial move in the State
Senate at Harrisburg until Mayor Ash
bridge affixed his signatures to the or
dinances as passed by the city council
Just sixteen days elapsed. In this brlef
period was consummated what Is un-
doubteJly one of the mos; colossal and
infamous jobs for the plundering OF the
public that ever took place under the
form Of law.
There was no pretence of segregating
the franchises and considering each
upon its merits, but the whole thirteen
were put through in a bunch. Perhaps
separate votes were taken, but if so it
was merely pro forma. The whole thir-
J teen were intended to stand together,
and go through together-which they
! did.
! This in itself was a most extraordt-
nary method of procedure in matter
so deeply concerning the welfare of
city containing a million and a quarter
of inhabitants. and it was well calcu-
lated TO arouse suspicion. The circum-
stances were such that even in the alb
sence of a formal complaint any mayor
| having a conscientious regard for his
| duty would naturally scrutinize the or
dinances with the closest care.
But complaint was made, and in a
| manner that was nothing less than
startling. After the ordinances had
been passed and before they had re-
! ceived the mayors approval, one of the
! most prominent and reputable citizens
Of PhiIa delphia, Mr.. John WanamakeT,
| in a letter to the city's executive, made
q cash offer of two and a half millions
of dollars for the franchises, accom-
panyinE the offer with the statement
that in his judgment they were worth
great deal more than the sum named.
This offer was treated with absolute
! contempt. and within a very few hours
Mayor Ashbridge had signed the last of
I the thirteen franchises. Closely follow
| ing this act, it is credibly stated that
ten million dollars has been offered for
the franchises, and even this huge sum
is believed to be but fraction of their
value.
a glance at some of the details of the
points involved makes the matter ap-
pear even worse than do the general
statements Among other things may
be mentioned the circumstance that
Albert Johnson, brother of Tom l.. had
before the Legislature d project for a
traction system upon the basis of three
cent fares, with transfers. This it is es-
timated would have meant an annual
saving to the people in car fares of four
million dollars. This proposition was
sumnarily rejected. The franchises au-
thorized provided for five-cent fares and
no transfers, with an interdict laid upon
a reduction to three cents.
II the johnson plan, which promised
a saving to the people Of four millions
a year. would have yielded fair return
on the investment, the Imagination ia
literally staggered at the thought Of the
profits that viii accrue from five-cent
fares and no transfers Two cents on
each car ticket is absolutely clear gain
above what the Johnson plan contem-
plated as n reasonable profit, and the
value cf the transfers withheld is an
other very large item. How much this
viii amount to in d great city like Phil
adelphia, with its vast and ever-grow-
ing population, it is, of course. impossi-
BILE TO estimate; but it can be seen at q
glance that st will be an enormous and
rapidly increasing sum each year
It is said that the matter is not yet
ended, as there win probably be {
strong effort made to break the fran
. chises through the medium Of th'
: courts. Whether relief can be obteineC
r in that way is by no means certain
r but in any event Philadelphia seems L
T have attained pre-eminent distinction
= as a city in which the most gigs s.tic o
/ frauds can BE- rushed through by III
] ! municipal government al racehors
speed. and without the officials connect
t ed with them deerins it necessary eve
o To irn down The lghts or close tn
. blinds.