Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-04

Mo PH1LADELPH1AN can be deceived by
- the pretense that II is necessary to elect
Smith as Mayor in order to prove that this
is Republican city.
Porter is better Republican than Smith.
He believes more firmly than Smith in the
principles Of the Republican party. because
he is a man with nxed political principles
and does his own thinking.
The determination Of the Organization to
bring here a lot Of Republican orators from
other States nominally 20 fight the FIRST
sSirmish in the battle of 1915, but really 20
assist It in getting control Of the local gov
eminent once more. is part of a general plan
to confuse the voters.
The burning issue here is not protection,
because both Porter and Smith are protec-
tionists. The issue on which the election
must be decided is the development Of the
rapid transit system so that man can ride
quickly and comfortably anywhere for a
ive-cent fare
Unless the man in the Mayors chair Is
honestly and heartily in favor of the transit
plans obstacle after obstacle win be put in
the way OF their execution Pretexts will bo
found for delaying new contracts. Excuses
will be framed for continuing the three-cent
transfer system, and nothing will be left
undone to protect the financial interests that
have fought the new plans and to continue
the inconvenience from which the great mass
Of the people are suffering.
Philadelphia cannot grow as it should II
such a conspiracy succeeds.
The great commercial organizations Of the
city have plans under way for increasing the
number Of its big industries, and for develop
ing the water front and linking all interests
more intimately with the vast commercial
territory north, west and south of us with the
nations of Europe and South America.
An indication of what the future holds ap
peared in the advertisement of a large de-
partment store in the Sunday papers, where
much space was given to the prospects ahead
of this, the most American city on the con-
tinent. The estimate of 100000 population
in 1850 is not exaggerated. II the population
should increase only $4,000 year, as it is
HoW uOlnS' lHere VIII pe S'VVVIVVV pSopiS
living here in 35 years.
The number of new inhabitants each year
is going to increase with the growing city,
and plans for transit must be made long
years before 1850 IL an intolerable congestion
is to be avoided.
Thirty-five years is a short time in the
life of a community. The elevated railroad
system of New York is only about S5 years
old. The subway system there has been
built within is years, and 1t was no sooner
completed than new subways had to he
planned.
Unless some unforeseen check shall stop the
growth of Philadelphia, the new transit lines
included in the Taylor plan will be crowded
to their capacity within year Of their COM
pletion and there will be at once an insistent
demand for more subways and elevated
railroads connecting the outlying districts
with the heart of the city.
Philadelphia will not tolerate any short
sighted. dog-in-the-manger policy In the
City Hall. 1t demands the adoption Of
policy that takes into account the inevitable
growth of the community and provides for
the future in a broad-minded and unselhsh
manner.
Tariff talking is nothing but an effort to
divert attention from the burning issue.
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