Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-20

d ffH9eao for tho Darby elevated ue
3 would be able to begin work as
Noon S. funds were assuabls ana a.
tlonfIatc action was taken BY CITY Coun-
e end TIE Public Service Commission.
lie eone|nuedi
BY cafeful forethourht ana adeouats
I7tisiation the city has been placed In a
position to proceed with the transit de-
Nf|eNments without any delay whatever
would he uniustinable to proceed
with thie development without due regard
te the inipcftance OF cooperation be-
tNten the citv and the existing company
~ tno end that the entire Transportation
f}stem Of the city may be operated as
one great unit IN manner best calcu-
'ated to serve the public and to AFFORD
protecaon to capital already Invested
in the business
Therefore. after tedious negotiation.
prosrafn for transit development with
free transfers has been arranged by the
pepartment Of City Transit and the ON.
tiala Of the philadelphia Rapid Transit
Company
There is no question whatever as to
ihe citys ability to do It's part in this
program
There Is no question whatever as to
the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Com
pany ability TO raise the Si2O00,o00 re-
unired to equip the city-owned high speed
lines. for most attractive collateral is
Furnished by first mortgage on that
Ieaaehold Of the municipal facilities and
The earnings produced thereby.
THE progress further provides for free
transfers between the surface lines and
kof the elimination OF Scent exchange
tickets. With reasonable compensation to
fhc company for loss OF revenue there
from ft also provides for free transfers
10 passengers using both the surface and
high-speed lines IN n forward direction
IN making n complete journey for one
fur Vnfrfnw
by tho Union Traction Company Of only /
such funds as will be required for the |
normal extension OF the existing surface |
system under proper restrictions when |
and as necessary upon which funds In |
terest Will be allowed at per cent
DEPARTMENT HAS GONE LIMIT"
The Director averred emphatically that
the Department of City Transit had
gone the limit 10 afford reasonable
protection to the existing system in con-
sideration of its cooperation in estab-
fishing and operating the new transit
facilities In o manner to best serve the
public. Along this line he added:
''If the program be not accepted by
the Union Traction Company, the urgent
need will still exist for the establishment
OF the new high-speed lines and for the
other advantages arranged for the pub
lie, and they will have to be secured |
without Union Traction cooperation.
III this second alternative be adopted, |
both the Philadelphia Rapid Transit
Company and the Union Traction Com
pany will forfeit that protection which
r. accorded them by the transit program
against the loss of net income diverted
TO the hgh-speed lines and against the ,
loss Of exchange ticket revenue. ,
.fn this event tho city, In establish ,
Ing the high-speed system, will be COM
PEELED to secure an Independent operator
70 equip and operate the clty-owned sys- ,
tenn Independently of and in competition )
with the existing company. The action
Df the city in first pronering protection g
TO the existing system In return for its
ec-operation thoroughly tustihes this q
course"
CITY CAN DO WORK ITSELF. e
In view of these considerations. said
he Director emphatlcally. II was un-
hinkable that the people of Philadel-
)hia will await the pleasure of the stock =,
folders of the Union Traction Company "
n this matter or tolerate any influence n
hat may be brought TO delay the estab- ii
ishment of rapid transit. The city win T.
le fully warranted in beginning con- !,
truction before an operating contract is n
ct. This course was pursued In New n
FORK. The Director went on:
''As a very last resort, and only as cl
very last resort the city is entirely r;
apable OF equippiug and operating the W
igf-speed system itself. I wish, how
yer, to say that / am utterly opposed Va
o municipal operation IL private opera el
lon can be secured on any fair terms. 81
corporate operation by trained and tr
killed management, under proper reg NJ
Ilation will produce by far the best re- fe
ults for the city and the travelling pub II
THE people demand rapid transit, and ri
hey are going to have rapid transit. III
They realize that they can have the s.
ew city-owned lines equipped and op-
rated by an independent company II
ecessary.
III the Union Traction stockholders F.
hould ratify the program. advertisement Is
pr bids for the construction of the Frank =,
ord elevated railway can be made as ~
oon as the plans have been approved by tr
he Public Service Commission and loan
authorized by the city. HI
II the Union Traction Company should
all to ratify the program the commence ~
lent of work ON the Frankford elevated 10
i'll have to be delayed until provision Is ro
iade TO connect II with the Woodland
venue elevated railway. This connection Fir
lay be made by a subway in Chestnut wi
rect or by securing legislation which will re,
ermlt of the use OF the present Market mi
-reet subway-elevated line on a fair
asis ST
eThe first step is the sewer work. ra
The next contract to be awarded win 16
spend upon the action of the Union Trac- trJ
. favorable. the Frankford elevated rail- ed
ay can be we'll under way during 1915 IN,
therwise the beginning should be made w
] the 8th street section OF the delivery ar
op, because the construction of the de- SUI
fery loop will take about year longer pe
an that of the Broad street subway. i1 a
7 shall speak at a later meeting OF ~, ~,
eh and every specific step which will be ~, sCa
eessary for the citizens and City Coun- :,
IS 10 take in order TO promptly estab- va
h the rapid transit lines. sxi
WHAT FRANKFORT NEEDS. nul
Now I have come to Frankford's local ~ ~
anlrements. nus
For more than 20 years the citizens OF "
ankford have endeaYored to secure a ele
gh-speed line TO the centre OF the city abl
far back as 1891 an effort was made "
August Belmont 10 comply with their not
ah by building a northeastern elevated val
Ilway from Front and Market streets 70 am
ankford.
Many OF you remember that he Sc res
red an ordinance and actually began va
on Front street. between -
ch and Market streets, but his efforts " W
re thwarted by legal obstructions and ~ ~.
was forced to abandon the project ~
Now you are Ia very different POSI- 'N'
a subway has been built under Mar 80
street which Is loaded on the east az a
aHo side Ia the morning CONVEYING mas ~