New-York tribune., 1901-06-14
PRICE THREE CENTS.
MR.. WANAMAKER'S OFFER
WILL PAY PHILADELPHIA So 100000 FOR
FRANCHISES.
SAYS TO GIVE THEM AWAY IS LITTLE
SHORT OF PUBLIC PLUMBER.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE-l

Philadelphia. June 13.-John Wanamaker is
willing to pay Philadelphia $2.5O0OOO for the
franchises conferred by the ordinances passed
by the Select and Common councils on Wednes-
day. and which only await the approval Of
Mayor AshbridSe TO insure the favored cor
porators of the new street railway companies
the right to occupy several hundred miles Of
city streets without any return TO the munich
pality
Mr. Wanamaker made his offer TO Mayor Ash
bridge yesterday depositing S25OOOO with the
Real Estate Trust Company an earnest OF the
proposition The Postmaster Generals letter
containing the offer handed to the Mayor
at the conclusion of the ceremonies at the new
United States Mint dedication this afternoon
Upon recognizing the handwriting of Mr.
Wanamaker. Mayor Ashbridge. without break
ing the seal of the envelope tossed the letter
into the crowd surrounding the platform upon
which the participants in the ceremonies wero
gathered
Mr.. Wanamaker sent another copy of his offer
to the Mayors home. Both letters were de-
livered by Mr. wanamaker's private secretary.
after the announcement had been made at the
Mayors office that the city's chief executive
had neither signed considered the new ordi-
nances. and that they would not reach him b.
fore tomorrow. In the course of his letter Mr..
Wanamaker said:
You have before you for executive con-
sderatiOn fourteen ordinances. passed by the
Councils. cOnferrlng upon certain corporations
the right TO construct surface roads, elevated
roads and underground roads upon, over and
under certain highways of this city. They were
rushed through the Councils with unprecedented
and reckless speed. The State legislation, In
tended TO give authority 70 these projects, was
likewise called into being through methods that
denied all opportunity for investigation, and
that rejected every proposition limitation
that had in view the benefit and profit OF the
community.
1t e generally believed that the franchises
granted by the ordinances before you are of
enormous money value So thoroughly
WINGED am I Of their value that desire to make
a business proposition.
Let me say that I not interested in railroad
enterprises of any kind that own stock in
have not any interest. present prospective In
any existing or intended corporation.
For the powers. rights and franchises granted
and intended to be secured by the fourteen
ordinances referred 70. will give to the city Of
Philadelphia the sum of S2,500O00 and as
guarantee of good faith in the matter T have
this day deposited with the Real Estate Trust
Company on account of this proposition. 10 per
cent. or S250CsS
conceive that sum TO be the measure OF the
nances, for I believe them TO be much more
valuable. but merely indication 70 Your
Honor in concrete form of the magnitude Of the
gift conferred upon private citizens without re-
turn to the people. II seems TO that TO give
away such franchises for nothing. when others
stand ready TO pay millions for the same rights.
IS little short of public piunder.