Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-15
MANY PROPOSED
LAWS THREATEN
GITY'S PROGRESS
Plans to Amend Constitu-
tion Conflict and Imperil
Transit and Other I'm
provement Projects.

Too many constitutional amendments
may kill the plans OF the Republican Or
ganlzatlon leaders for tho Improvement of
the port and transit facilities OF this city.
Two amendments offered at the last Leg
lslature to be voted on by the next Leg
lslature and by the people at the follow
ing election, arc considered conflicting,
and unless one is killed II is feared legal
difficulties will arise which will make II
impossible to obtain any money for irl-
provement1 for several more years
The second OF the resolutions proposing
amendments TO the constitution II passed
will permit tho city to Increase it's bor-
rowing capacity from TO 10 per cent.
for the construction and Improvement OF
subwsys tunnels, railways. elevated rail.
ways and other transit facilities: for the
construction and Improvement OF wharves
and docks, and FOR the reclamation OF
land to be used in tho construction OF
wharves and docks owned or to be owned
by the city.
Resolution No. G. introduced by Senator
Ware, permits the city to borrow sos, ,00r
for Improvement of whRrves and docks
the same to be paid back to the state
within so years.
The Ware resolution. In the opinion Of
public men. should he defeated. as the
first resolution provides sufficient funds
for the port and transit without IT, The
Ware resolution carries no appropriation
for transit improvements.
Under resolution Ma. 2 tho city can
borrow about G5.OO0,0OO The Transit De-
partment can use eco of Il and the
other s25,00O.0Oo can be used by the De-
partment Of Wharves, Docks and Ferries.
This money will not be available until
1916
DEPARTMENT HEADS RETICENT.
Neither Director Norris nor Directors
Taylor would discuss the conflicting
They said that they de-
'ired to learn more about the proposed
plans OF the Republican leaders before
commencing or adversely critlcIsing
hem.
Director Norris said he would be de- |
iglltedstp get the S1CoO.OOO appropriations |
'or port improvements. Last year the |
Legislature provided 100000 but Gov !
srnor Tcner cut it to $25O,OO0. This was /
'urthcr decreased by the proviso that |
il6 OO0 was to be paid for the employment /
If an engineer to represent the State IN /
he department. The remaining S234. 600 /
Director Norris has not yet expended. as
t was too small for any OF the big pro-
ccts that the department has In Wow. /
{ has been kept In reserve to reinforce
my smaller sums that might come along
,r for the payment OF odds and ends.
More than 500 10000 will be provided by
he next Legislature for rapid transit
or Philadelphia and forsthe Improvement
Il this port, according to the agreement
made by Senators Penrose, McNichol and
yare at a conference held late yesterday
RI. II
ose. Philadelphia's program of legisla-
ion for the coming session was discussed
I the NEE ting.
The three leaders decided to work hard
o have the next Legislature reapprove
he Constitutional amendment which will
icrease the borrowing capacity of tho
ity from to 10 per cent, which is
ecessary before the city. can build
system OF subways and ele-
ated lines Under Director Taylor's plan,
lese lines would cost the city approx
iately SAG, 900, 900. The Republican chiefs
ecided also to have the Legislature re-
pprove the Constitutional amendment
uthorizinE the city of Philadelphia 10
or-ow S25, 0O0 900 for harbor improvements.
nd to urge a state appropriation OF
200, 900 for port development.
The program for Philadelphia legislation
ecided upon by the three Senator's is as
blows;
Senator Ware will sponsor q bill for a
100000 State appropriation for the port
Philadelphia, with the understanding
lat the new Governor will not slice II
S250.O0O, as did Governor Tener.
LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
The reapproval by the Legislature of
ie constitutional amendment authorizing
e city to borrow s25.OOO,O0O for harbor {
This amendment can then
submitted to the voters at the next !
ection.
The reapproval OF the constitutional I
to authorize the city to in
ease its borrowing capacity from to I,
per cent. of the assessed realty valua- /
on. for transit improvements. The next
legislature must approve this amend
ent. which passed the last session, be-
re II can be submitted to the voters
I'd before Director Taylors plans for
ty-built lines can be carried out =
Senator Ware win introduce a resolution /
r a constitutional amendment TO permit I
9 consolidation OF the Common Pleas I
,urts OF Philadelphia /
The session will be short with ad- Z
10 be hxed near April 49,
The fate OF the plan for a small paid {
ty Council OF one body to replace the !
esent bicameral Councils, was definitely !
tiled, so far as the three Republican !
adeTs are concerned. I