Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-05
The Plot TO Stunt Philadelphia

ordinance, the passage of which would be
an unthinkable betrayal of a public trust
they have awakened the whole body of citi-
zenship to the dangers OF delay and made
It imperative that Councils at once estab-
| lish definitely its position and officially
record It's approval Of the Taylor plans.
! Were it not generally understood that
/ Mr. Costello is a mere manildn, his pro-
| posed ordinance would require no comment
| 1t would be laughed out Of Councils and
behind II there would be massed no strength
whatever But when Mr.. Costello does any
thing or proposes anything it is always OBJ
vious that he is acting at the behest of
concealed interests which dare not come
into the open but hire whom they can to
do the work in sight wherefore, it is clear
Mr. Costellos program is the plan adopted
to hinder the great movement in favor of
real rapid transit and sldetrack it for the
benefit of particular interests. Franchise
grabbing was remuneratve enterprise in
this city at one time. 1t is not now nor
is it very healthful community for gem
tlemen who undertake to do the grabbing.
1t is doubtful II any more shameless pro-
posa has ever been made. The Taylor plan
promises Philadelphia the most adequate
and satisfactory system of rapid transit ox-
listing in the world. 1t sweeps away the
intolerable exchange tickets provides a
practically universal fve-cent fare assures
every section of the city equality in ia
cities, protects the municipality which
within 80 or SO years, the case might be,
would own the new system absolutely: gives
to capital invested in existing lines fair
treatment and protection. and offers, in
short. scientific and complete solution Of
the entire urban transportation problem
Not only that. but the city holds the whip
hand. for it is competent financially to un-
dertake the whole program as outlined and
successfully achieve it.
The Costello project on the other hand,
proposed by a man who confesses that he
does not even know what the Taylor plan
is, is designed to localize the transit remedy
by applying it to one section only and in
such a way that it would forever prevent
the achievement Of the co-ordnated enter
prses except under conditions which the
city could never afford to accept 1t offers
to the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company
a franchise of enormous value, for which
II exacts no Compensating return whatever.
Indeed under its terms the operating com
pany would be relieved even of the pay
ment of taxes for ii would be required to
pay to the city only part of its profits.
There are ways in which this profit could
be made to disappear in bookkeeping. Not
only this but such a line in itself would
deprive Frankford of many of the special
advantages which would accrue to the sec
ton under the Taylor program.
The ordinance will not be passed. of course.
The Mayor would never sign it and the
Public Service Commission would never ap-
prove 1t. There are earnest citizens who
would assemble by the tens OF thousands in
the envrons of City Hall to prevent it.
Theft of citys assets, even under the guse
of legality, is not easy as it once was.
Nor are people already worn out by strap
hanging likely to acquiesee in being plum
dered They know too much. The campaign
of education has made the situation too
clear
The Hands Of Esau, hairy and itching, are |
recognized and identified, The black shadow
back of Mr.. Costello is seen. The wanton
purpose to sacrifice the necessities and flu
ture of the city to greedy interests to ham
string Philadelphia, to betray and outrage
ii, to sell it out, to hand 1t over bound hand
and foot TO pillsgers is evident in the ordl-
nance. Its passage would be footpad work
and worse. The fact that a manikin has
dared introduce it should be a bugle call
to all Philadelphians, They must make the
mass meeting on January "A so vast and
representative a gathering that no body of
men, no Hands of Esau, will dare stand in
the way.
The introduction Of the Costello ordinance
must convince every citizen that he must
join with his neighbOrs in demanding the
prompt Endorsement by Councils of the Tay-
lor plans Put them through that the dan
ger OF betrayal may be removed for all time
Let public opinion prove itself by compelling
Councils to stand up now for Philadelphia.
So the champagne crop went quietly on |
cropping in spite Of the bombardment of
Rheims.
The price OF diamonds is due for an ad-
vance on account OF the war Some one is
always dsyiling the poor consumer
In making the statement that the people OF
eu,. Hat tee
son gives evidences OF invsnting a new brand
- l4nrsor