Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-28
TRANSIT FIGHT HAS
GROWN In VOLUME
DESPITE SETBACKS
Obstacles Serve Only to
Make Enthusiasm Of Pub
lie Flare Up More Pro-
nouncedly.

tsntion OF the people all year.
Al the very outset of 1914, 10 be exact,
on january I, Director Taylor, Of the De-
partment Of City Transit. euggested an
open subway for South Broad street,
which Recommendation he subsequently
modified. Immediately a spirit Of CO.
operation was manifested by Senator
MeNiohui. who urged an all Philadelphia
get-together movement. and declared the
time was ripe 70 start the great munici-
pal construction works.
In line with this sugsestion. Mayor
Blani,enburs and Common Councilman
John p. Connolly held a conference on
January . and agreed to work together
for the ofty.A beneft As Mr.. Connolly
Il chnlyTnan OF Counciis' Finance Commit
tee. proapects for an early start and gem
orai progress took roseate hue. Direc-
tor Taylor then conferred with Chairman
Mitten, OF the Rapid Transit Company.
on a proposal that the company operate
the proposed Broad street subway
lowed by a meeting in the Mayors office
OF the Comprehensive Plans COMMITTEES,
which approved the plans for the sub
waS.elevssed system devised by Mr..
Taylor.
'sINCERITY" OF COUNCILS.
Mr. Connolly announced on January II
that there would be the fullest co-opera-
tlon to obtain subways and other I'm
proyenauts. Those who question the
sincerity Of Councils need only watt he
declared.
Two days later he introduced reso-
tuition in Councils providing for the APP
polntrnent Of a committee to consider Di-
rector Taylor's plans and devise ways
and means for the establishment OF n
universal ave-cent fare. A week elapsed,
and the Executive Committee OF the Rapid
Transit Company Representatives Of the
city and Counciis Transit Committee con-
6erred on the transit situation. AT the
concIusion Of the conference It was an
nouncsd the matter had progressed so
satisfactorily that formal nesotiations for
the lease Of the proposed Broad street
tered within two weeks. In reply to an
inquiry, Mr.. Connolly said Councils had
not appointed a transit committee with
any hostile intent, but believed the city
government should be represented In the
associations.
Senator Penrose urged better transit
facilities about this time, and a few days
later loan bills agsFeaating so, 900 were
Introduced In Councils. Chairman Con-
nelly introduced bill In the lower cham
ber authorizing the loan of s5.o0O,ooo to be
voted on by the people for the Broad
street subway and other transportation
facilities. The bills We're referred to the
FINANCE Committee.
The Sub Committee on Rapid Transit
negotiations met on March II, but the
meeting was devoted chiefly to petty ar
gurnents and ended abruptly without any
thing being accomplished.
THE sroTEsBURY PLAN.
Following this inaction. a meeting OF
Councils Committee on Transit on March
q was called hurriedIy ct the request OF
the Rapid Transit Company. and plan
was submitted by the stoteabury nam
agATnent- It provided, In brief. COM
prehenslve system Of free transfers be-
tween the Broad street subway or other
lines 10 bo built and equipped by the
city and operated by the Rapid Tram
ely Company. q tube under the Delaware
and an elevated line to Franhford. to be
built and equipped by the company The
company demanded also that the city
make good the loea In net revenues 10
the company due to The elimination Of
exchange tickets
Director Taylor proposed universal free
transfers by eliminating one-half the ex-
director aaid the city could AFFORD better
to build an independent system and have
II independently operated, which would
save the people and the city a vast
amount OF money. The meeting was de-
cidedly stormy.
Following the pace sat BY Senator Nc
NtchGl and Senator Penrose, Senator
Ware indorsed the Taylor transit plan
q week later and said he smphaticalIy
was opposed to that OF the Rapid Transit
Company.
IN : statement to the public on April 8.
Director Taylor opposed the companys
operation of eity-buiit lines and favored
submitting the exchange ticket question
- the Public Service Commission.
The United Business Mems Association
indorsed the Directors plan, ana subse-
qpentiy Psnrese said he would endeavor
te bring shout harfony between the Rapid
Transit Company and the Director OF City
Transit IN regard 10 the plans for the
proposed system.
AGREEMENT OF MAY n.
After number Of conferences during
April aud Nay. the city and the COM
psny aarssd on May n upon transit
system 20 cest ssa.eo0eo0; the city 10
apAad sls.oo0oao on the Broad street sub
pay. the R'ranksesa elevated and the
nsrby elevated. II vac ALEC agreed that
these lines should be leased 10 the COM
rznys which was 10 spend kizoo0.ooo to
equip fheu4 The Abolition OF the eight
cent exchange ticket and the granting Of
ia tsaAsfefs beginning January !. 1915,
VA = featnFA Of the agreement
acs atth the advent q warmer weather,
caunoilg appeared 10 regard the transit
question with \ feeling or ennni. and
VIXEN the agreement came before them
a. lune :. Il Nas rafeFred % the street
hEiIWags ana Finance Committees With
cut eonrnent. Than the people started
70 fhfnk about vaeatfons ana tha transit
ssfeemenE. lxing - the pigeon holes Of
~ eemn,itlses, coca became covered
vita aaet
81 asolssuhsf II ths KFasIsa LEnazA
va bore and alIaost immediately Il
bea4u "a lnVaeii safion g transit eoa-
diziona A aaan representative rode on
IS ~ - hats apd Wfote series of
aHIiciz4 tzsed On hia experience show
ins IAas tAoozenas of psepla IL Al parts
q tfe city leas s Yast eao4ni q tAne
4a4 aaaa1ta incenyenience 81 re4ceinE
- business centre Ihe4s articles nsre
accompanied 81 Illustrations and photo-
esapHz q beaf oni tae lacts ana GEM
NtshansiFe areounl1 showing tue neeo
eI nI8A-Ereta haea d every section
#at4s @a1 revival - lnteEs4t - s1e
H41s l|Iaan1u - eFeF tn4 elfy. eA4
sfr g. eIsrtlon gay. kte people
~ -ae tzh aiA teAet eefF.eo