Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-12
FUTURE OF TRANSIT
PREDOMINANT ISSUE

ed principally that the Philadelphia Rapid
Transit Company should equip and operate
such high-speed lines as may be built
by the city. that the revenue therefrom
should be so divided as to protect the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company
reasonably. and that the company should
abandon the three-cent exchange system.
This cooperative program was ar
ranged by the director of the Department
of City Transit and the principal officers
of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Com
pany. 1t met with unprecedented public
approval. and both parties thereto agreed
to use their best efforts to secure its
adoption.
In that this cooperative program was
the result of many protracted conferences
in which all phases of the question were
discussed and arranged, and as 1t re-
ceived the Endorsement OF the Department
of City Transit and of the officers of the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company, we
have prima facie evidence that it's terms
are equitable and proper.
This cooperative program provides for
the immediate construction by the city
Of:
First. The Broad street subway with
branches and a delivery loop.
Second. The Frankford elevated rail-
way. extending from a point of connec-
tton with the present Market street sub
way at Front and Arch streets to Frank
ford.
Third. The Woodland avenue elevated
railway. extending from a point of con-
nection with the Market street railway
at Goth and Market streets to Darby.
Fourth. 1t provides for the building Of
additional rapid transit facilities by the
city, the most essential OF which will be
line through the northwest section con-
Meeting with the delivery loop at the
City Hall, extending thence northwest
wardIy in subway beneath the Parkway
to the Green street entrance OF Fairmount
Park. thence ascending on private right
of way TO an elevated structure passing
northwardly over 18th street to Allegheny
avenue. thence over Henry avenue to
Roxborough.
The cost of the first three lines mem
toned will be about s46,000,00o.
The cost of the northwest line will be
about S9.0O0.000.
The total cost will be about $55.0O0,O0O
The program further provides for the
equipment and operation of these city
owned lines by tho Philadelphia Rapid
Transit Company. AS hrst charge
against the earnings OF these lines the
company would be allowed per cent.
on its equipment investment, and after
the 10th year 1 per cent. per year
would be set aside for amortization OF the
equipment cost. The city, with the aid
Of the funds thus set aside. would pur-
chase the equipment from the company
at the expiration of the lease.
In the early years OF operation the new
. lines built by the city win take away
= fkaflc from the Philadelphia Rapid
Transit Company. This might tempora-
rily cut the net income Of that company
more than It could bear. Therefore. In
consideration of the company's co-opera-
fion In the city's plan for improving its
transportation facilities. the city would
properly agree to protect the net income
of the company 10 a certain extent. The
limitations of and the conditions govern
ing this protection are fully set forth In
the program. which was printed for public
circulation. In general the company will
be protected in the net income which It
will be enjoying when the new rapid
transit lines are placed in operation. This
will be accomplished by allowing the
company 70 retain whatever amount may
be necessary so TO do out OF the income
Of the new lines. All causes of loss other
than diversion OF trafic to the new Ines
however are expressly excepted
II further provides that after the fore
going payments are made TO the Phila-
delphia Rapid Transit Company out OF
the earnings Of the city-built lines the
interest and sinking fund charges, cu-
mulative. ON the eity's investment shall
Be paid, and that any balance or surplus
smaining thereafter shall be divided be-
<een the city and the company In pro-
tion 70 their respective Investments In
construction and equipment Of the
nuilt lines
further provides for the construction.
soaipmsnf and operation on Scent fare
1zsIs Of the Camden tube by the Phila-
1<IohIa Rapid Transit Company
1t gives the city the right TO require
The p. r. T. Co. 70 extend its present
surface system from time 70 time, after
the Public Service Commission. upon
hearing. determines that extensions 50
<.1uIIed are likely 70 be reasonably re-
! = lucrative. either separately OF In COM
ton with the present system. with
enable restrictions.
requires the company 10 give free
= = 1fefa wherever surface lines intersect
aIeI-gDeed lines (city's and company'D
II station points. enabling passengers 70
|14I4ItT IN forward direction, except
= an1 ffom the Camden tube. such free
<<414fefa. however. would not be given IN
.14 business district until January I, 1920.
||41 free transfers would be given TO all
..I.41E1T1 fransferIing An a forward di-
|..|'II t<Iufen All company-owped and
#.04|1|IaH f.pnued rapid transit Lines At