Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-06
TRANSIT PEcKLERS'
SCHEME EXPOSED

ioau IL the same as 10 was months az
when the items of the Si1, 800 900 loan wer
DESIGNATED. An Item OF s500O00 for relo
cation OF sewers IN the central section o
the city was included only when the or
gnnization leaders saw clear Indication
Of storm OF public protest.
PUBLIC AWARE OF ISSUE.
Advocates or the transit plan scoffed to
day at the Indicated intention Of the Pen
rose-McNichol forces to play their OBJ
John p Connolly. who in turn directs his
struction policy through the influence OF
followers in the Finance Committee
| II Is the contention Of the sponsors for
transit that the Philadelphia public knows
the Issue before II and that the public
has been educated in the transit project.
| The S30,000.00O for transit, II is pointed
out, Is to be borrowed solely on the ad-
ditional capacity allowed the city by
the last Legislature on the assessment of
personal property. That amount would be
spent over term Of years of actual sub
way and elevated construction.
The $40, 900 for sewage disposal would
likewise be spent over a term of years
and would be borrowed on the capacity
allowed by general assessment
The City Controller I'm his report sub
mitted to Councils at the last meeting
fixed the borrowing capacity of the city
for all purposes In excess of $4,000 900.
Legislation now pending at Harrisburg
would Increase Philadelphia's borrowing
capacity almost to s1oo.oOO0OO. Even with
the additional borrowing capacity con-
sumed by loans for all contemplated i'm
provements, Philadelphia would stlll have
net debt far below other cities of com
paratlve Importance.
Greater borrowing power afforded by
the pending legislation at Harrisburg
would permit Philadelphia to enter an
era of civic development with slmultane-
Gus construction of transit and sewage
disposal systems and other works of i'm
portance. The need of sewage disposal
system, 1t Is pointed out, is not an argu-
ment. financial or otherwise, against i'm
mediate start of subway work.
The millions for transit could be ex-
pended only in a term of years. as could
the millions for n sewage disposal plant
A bill that already has the approval of
Councils Legislative Committee will be
introduced In the Legislature to allow
to execute contracts for
public betterments to the amount of
money actually appropriated instead of
waiting until the authorization OF a
oan for the total cost of the Improvement
IS made.
That measure will allow Philadelphia
10 start a transit system, a sewage dis
,osal system and other works even though
0nly n portion of the total cost of the
completed project Is appropriated. The
increased borrowing capacity of the city
would provide the working capital for
carrying on the improvement.
Revenues estimated to accrue to the city |
rom a completed transit system will be ]
wen exceeded by the great revenues from |
axation that will follow realty develop |
nent at the completion of the new high !
Ipeed transit system.
The transit plan will open realty de-
'elopment that will similarly increase as
easements and augment constantly the
ity's borrowing capacity.
TAYLOR ANSWERS OPPONENTS.
But Philadelphia will have rapid tran
II. The coterie of obstructlonists,
ihtch has prevented the Finance Com
nittee OF Councils from favorably report
ng the bill which provides for a special
lection on the 900 transit loan.
I'LL suner the consequences of public |
'rath and be compelled to face an up
Ising of the people such as the city has
ever witnessed.
These statements embodied in n yItrolic
ddress made by Transit Director Taylor
efore the Business Science Club In the
ictel Adelohia last night, were the uni
ersal subject of comment in political
nd business circles today. Director Tay-
Or predicted that the public demonstra-
on would take place within the next 30
avs unless John p. Connolly, the
lcNichol lieutenant, chairman of the
inancc Committee, called a meeting of
he body and took action upon the transit
leasure.
This uprising" said Director Taylor, |
Will be one which q certain coterie of
will have to bear the
runt. These men, moved by subtle infiu-
lces, subtly asserted. are going to suf-
n. They cannot thwart the development
rapid transit. 1 know the temper OF
lie people. They cannot thwart the will !
the people"
Then followed a declaration which {
ought prolonged cheers from the club
embers: We are going to have rapid
ansit."
DUTY OF CITIZENS. {
Not only did Director Taylor score the !,
liticians who are holding up the tran !
program after 1t has been indorsed l
every business and civic association
the city and by the citizens at large, !
It he again went deep into the general c
oject of giving the city the finest sub =
ly and high-speed surface lines in the =
untry. In touching upon the over h
owding condition of the present system 3
said:
fes' contend 1t Is absolutely indecent | b
r your wives and daughters to travel, 4
cked in like sardines, with all sorts and h
ads OF men. If you men are willing to Il
md 1t, remember that you owe some d
ng to your wives and daughters, the F
YES and daughters OF your friends. 1.
DO you want to keep your city a city ii
individual homes or let It become a Il
y OF tenements and fats?" he asked.
With $1,000 people coming in each year :
) up TO you 10 say" r
This city stands for its contractuaI
legations with the p. r. IT," he de-
red. I'm urging this plan, / have not
listed that the p. r. T. lose anything
cooperating with the city. But IL the
y builds these lines, the p. r. II. will
forced to equip and operate them, or l
out of business. We will get COM :
ny from outside to do II. and you know
at the result will be- -
HINT AT DEALS.
thoroughly aroused by the def OF the
lance Committee. business associations