Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-15
ACTION IN PLACING
COUNCTLMEN ON
RECORD INDORSED
Civic and Business Bodies
Approve Evening Ledger's
Plan of Making Clear Of
6cials Stand on Transit
Problem.

| Prominent citizens who have been iden-
| titled in many civic movements business
men who realize that real rapid transit
is essential to actual progress, and mem
| bers of various progressive organizations
lndorsed the EVENING LEpaBRs action in
| placing every member Of Councils on rec.
ord on the Taylor transit plan
The attitude OF the peoples represen-
tatives many declared should be known
in advance. SO their constituents might
learn whether they we're being actually
| represented. The EVENING LEDoBR's ac-
tlon in furnishing the people with an
index to the local legislators sentiment,
therefore, was warmly commended.
1t was pointed out by many persons
who are active In civic movements that
Councils in the past resorted to subter-
fuge when asked to go squarely on record
concerning anything for the welfare OF
the people.
RETALIATION THREATENED.
Those who are still noncommittal on
the Taylor transit plan will be asked to
declare themselves, and should they re-
fuse steps will be taken in retaliation by
business organizations in every part of
the city.
1t Is contended there is no excuse for
any Councilman pretending to have the
welfare of the people at heart to remain
passive on a question which so vitality
interests the people.
In view of the city-wide enthusiasm on
the subject and the EVENING LEDGER's
poll showing that Taylor transit is
favored by the majority of Councllmen,
many persons contend that no obstruc-
zionist can stem the tide at this stage
of the game.
Several business organizations will meet
this week and appoint committees to call
on those Councimen who are endeavoring
to remain neutral. Should these members
OF Councils still adhere to their passive
attitude, steps will be taken to compel
definite assertions on the question.
In the Northeast II is known that sew
eral organizations will go OH record as
opposed to the continuance Of John M.
Mckinley, Jr,, in Select, and Fred
Schwartz, Jr., as their councilmanic rep-
rt tscntativea. These are the only two mon
who favored the Costello brand OF transit.
Following are few of the views from
prominent men on the question:
Albert f. Turner who has taken a
prominent part in numerous successful
movements for civic betterment, said:
THE EVENING LEDGER's move was
quite as bright an undertaking as could
have been made. The paper has done
a good piece of work in educating the
public, which is the real boss of city af-
fairs Where genuine public sentiment is
made as far reaching as this, there can
be no doubt as to the result.
mo politician Is afraid of unintelligent
and sporadic sentiment" he said. "Sut
all politicians realize the effect of an
educated public sentiment. This is ir-
tB1,n hatf
can have an Imagination to see AN entire
new system an accomplished fact within
a comparatively short time
Another who warmly commends the
EVENING LEpGER's action in obtaining
the Counclmanic interviews on rapid
transit is Judge James German, OF ths
Juvenile Court.
JUDGE GORMAN's APPROVAL.
1T was a most excellent idea for the
EVENING LEDGER to put the Councilmen
on record" said Judge German. "By
this means are the people enabled TO
the question. The transit question is n
matter of such vital Importance to the
growth OF Philadelphia that It was a
laudabe undertaking TO gather the opin4
Ions OF our Lawmakers so that the people
might know what to expect.
How do I stand on the transit ques-
ton? For Director Taylor's plan and
opposed to Mr.. Costeilos. Mr. Taylor
has studied and worked over the prob
lem and he knows Philadelphia's transit
needs thoroughly. | heard him speak
last night before the Oak -4ane Improve
ment Association ana have read his aIti-
cies. I am in entire accord with him
and his comprehensive plan, which en-
braces every section OF the city, and
whi IN. together with housing, hygienic
and other improvements. win make Phila-
delphia the greater city 1t Is going TO be-
That the EVENING LEDGER had accom-
plished a good work in putting Colneil-
men on record as TO their stand on the
Taylor transit plans was the opinion OF
former Judge Dinner Beeber. expressed
today.
u think II was very credtabIe thing
to do" said Judge Beeber, 1T is wen
to know how Couucilmen stand on the
II is always proper to learn
the sentiment Of persons who VIII pass
on the value OF proposition"
'The transit question was a matter OF
such public interest that IL was an excel
lent idea TO put the Counclmen on re-
ord. said J. S, W. Holton, president OF
the Maritime Exchange. ''The people
must know the opinions OF the legisla-
tors who are to decide the issue"
II have not studied the Costello ordi-
nance, but am in reasonable familiarity
with DireC tor Taylor's plan, which CONF
mends itself very strongly, to me-" AIr.
Holton continued "'It covers the needs
OF the entire eity. and is In line with the
spirit Of progress, whereas the Costello
ordinance Is not, having the Objectionable
feature of sectional development In one
locality"