Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-28
NORTHEAST JOINS
MIGHTY CALL FOR
HIGH SPEED TRANSIT
Director Taylor's Plea En-
Enthusiastically Indorsed at
Great Mass-meeting in
Fox Chase.

Strong reinforcements TO the army Of
citizens who demand high-speed transit
were gained by Director Taylor last night
at largely attended mass-meeting In
Crooketts Hail. Fox Chase Residents Of
olney. ogonts. Logan and other sections
Joined with the people of Fox Chase in
adopting resolutions urging that special
election be called Immediately by city
Councils and that the people have an op-
portunty of voting for the loan for tran.
sit development.
All present agreed to participate In a
demonstration to prove the sentiment OF
the community on the question, and the
consensus of opinion in this connection
was-the sooner the better. The audience
was representative OF all that goes to
make up real Americanism. Farmers came
In their carriages and clasped hands with
the manufacturer, who arrived in his
automobile The banker. the contractor
and the laborer sat side by side and all
applauded the plan of action laid before
them by the Director.
He reminded his hearers that the s5th
Ward contained one-quarter of the entire
| area of Philadelphia, yet IL had by actual
calculation less than one person to the
acre.
Mr.. Taylor pointed out that the isola-
tion of the ward was due to inadequate
| transit facilities, and said that II It were
connected with the city's centre by high
speed lines many people would so there
! to live.
"It is time for construction instead of
discussion" the Director declared. 80
hold yourself in readiness" Through
out his address. the meeting repeatedly
showed its sentiment with prolonged ap-
plause.
DIRECTOR TAYLoR's ADDRESS
In the course of his remarks, Mr.. Tay-
lor said in part:
This evening shall speak of the tran
sit requirements of the great S5th Ward,
which contains one-quarter of the entire
area of Philadelphia.
'The city has been expending millions
in extending the great Northeast Boule-
ward and other fine avenues through your
S5th Ward. Thus large part of the 2f,-
2s7 acres in your ward has been made
available for immediate development as
soon as adequate rapid transit facilities
are furnished.
THE assessed valuation of taxable real
estate in the S5th Ward is only $12, $50, ,ssS,
or s5s2 per acre.
1.-THE assessed valuation of taxable real
estate in the +6th Ward, which lies west
of 45th street and south of Market street
and which Is served by the Market street
elevated passenger railway and surface
feeders. is s95. 263 per acre. The 46th Ward
bag pr nnODlR To the
Ward has siX-tenths OF a persons; in
other words, less than one person to the
acre.
Furthermore, the land in your ward is
peculiarly adapted for immediate and
economical development. Most OF II Is
level and the municipal improvements can
be carried out at minimum cost owing
to the natural grade of the land and the
character OF the soil.
To-day your entire ward Is served by
only one electric railway extending over
Rising sun avenue to Fox Chase along
its ensterly side. The balance of your
ward is entirely isolated, except for the |
infrequent and expensive railroad service |
on the lines reaching Bustleton, which Is |
of little convenience to you.
PEOPLE EAGER FOR TRANSIT.
THE people living in the congested dis !
trlcts of Philadelphia are eager to come
out into your ward and establish com
Portable and attractive homes amid !
healthful surroundings, and they have |
enlisted in the eneat public movement |
which is going to bring adequate rapid |
transit facilities 10 Philadelphia without |
delay.
These facts which l have cited demon |
strate your just claim for immediate and |
effective relief which will be gained by (
adequate transit facilities,
"Will you stand shoulder to shoulder |
with me in the effort which I am making |
to secure that relief which will add |
millions in value to your real estate. also |
to the assessed valuation thereof, and |
thus an enormous increase in tax returns |
TO the city?"
There was an emphatic yes" from the |
audience. The Director then gave the |
routes of the proposed hlgh-speed lines. |
told OF their cost and explained the bene- |
fits which they would bring to every sec
ton OF the city.
"Plans and specifications for the con- |
struction of sections OF the delivery loop |
will be ready for bidders by March," said |
Director Taylor land the construction |
thereof should be started without delay.
'1f delay Is to be avoided and the |
actual work started on the construction |
OF the delivery loop in the early spring, |
three steps must be taken Immediately.
The city has, by virtue OF the personal |
property tax act a borrowing capacity |
development In excess of its otherwise
general borrowing capacity. No contract !
can be awarded for the work until the |
people have voted 20 increase the city's |
Indebtedness in amount sunicient TO pro-
vide therefor.
Therefore, a special election should be |
called for Immediately by city Councils |
and the people Of Philadelphia should |
thus be given the opportunity OF voting |
for the loan for transit development, in |
order that construction may proceed
This Is one step, and II should be !
taken at ones IN order 10 avoid unneces-
sary delay.
COUNCILS MUST ACT
"City Councils should give the recon-
mended routes careful consideration and |
then take appropriate action onieially |
designating the routes and adopting the /
plans.
''They should also promptly submit the /
plan OF municipal development TO the /
Public Service Commission OF Pennsylya- /
nia for ita approval These are the other !
steps 10 be taken All three should be |
taken at once
Then We shall be able 10 90 shesd and 4
build the hiEh-speed system and gain the /
advantages which il Is going 10 bring to /
the citizens Of Philadelphia IN bounteous 4
returns consisting OF money, conVeu- I