Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-29
DELAY in TRANSIT
WOULD COST CITY
MILLION DOLLARS
director Taylor Shows
Injury Faced by Mu-
nicipality in Opposi-
ton of p. r. T.
stand of Traction Magnates
Imperils Advantages That
Would Be Derived From
Present State of Labor and
Building Material Markets.


irouments and statistics to show that
yhiadeiphia would lose approximately ST.
noo II the construction OF the Broad
.,,.et and Frankford elevated lines is in
s,anlteiy delayed through opposition of
n. Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company
IA the so-called Taxpayers suit are con-
,.ined In a pamphlet prepared by Director
4syior and issued to the public today.
rhe pamphlet, in substance, is the same
i ~ address which Director Taylor had
,,spared to make before the state Public
sryice Commission at Harrisburg last
uonday. Acting Chairman Samuel w.
pnnypacker, of the commission, did not
trit the Director to deliver the ad-
S,,ss. and in order that the public might
tnow the facts contained in II several
,bou,and copies of the pamphlet have
sssn printed for distribution among those
most vitality interested in the transit
program.
The loss to Philadelphia, the pamphlet
shows. would result from the failure to
lske advantage of the present prevailing
low prices in building materials, labor,
railroad construction work and the loss
m time to the riding public, who will be
forced to continue using the present slow
rirface lines, which can be readily trans
lated into q loss of dollars and cents
A study Of subway and elevated con-
tracts In New York city has led Director
Taylor to the conclusion that prices of
materials for building and for wages are
Iower at the present time than they have
been during the last two or three years.
AZ business prosperity is now returning,
he argues, the prices for material and
the rate of wages will soon increase. The
Director says in parts
,'Bidders include a much larger margin
for profit In busy times than in slack
tines because in slack times they desire
to retain their organization and will there
fore be glad TO get work with only small
percentage of profit.
Comparison of prices in recent lettings
of subway and elevated railroad work in
New York, as furnished by the Public
Service Commission of New York with
bids for similar work two or three years
ago. Indicated an advantage at the pres
ent time over the earlier and over the
probable future rates of from 10 to % per
cent, and railroad construction work is
nov being obtained at from 10 to 25 per
cent lower than NORMAL prices which were
PAID two or three years ago for similar
vofk
TOTAL AMOUNTS TO MILLION.
Rising his computations upon this
rudy OF prices In New York and upon
climates of the time loss to the public
ing the surface lines from the subur-
M nigtTiCfQ WHARF mr.
igh-speed lines will run. Director Taylor
tclares that upward of $1OO0,OOO will be
Mt TO the city of Philadelphia should
the construction of the Broad street sub
Nay and the Frankford elevated be de-
Ayed.
SAVINGS OF PROPOSED LINES.
Showing the time saving which the
high-speed lines will effect. the pamphlet
eontinues:
aThe operation of the Broad street
uhway will reduce the time required
% travel from City Hall to Broad street
and Olney avenue from 43 minutes to %
mlnutes, a saving of AZ minutes on the
icund trip.
"From City Hall to the Philadelphia
Navy Yard, from 2S minutes to II min
ptes a saving OF % minutes on the
iound trip.
THE Broad street subway will serve
5000 persons and will save 25,OO0 hours
pas day to the travelling public which will
uep It.
THE Frankford elevated will reduce
lhe time required TO travel from City Hall
y Frankford from So minutes to 80 min
niss, saving of so minutes on the round
hip.
The Frankford elevated will serve
1000 persons and will save 11OO0 hours
ler day to The travelling public which
viii use IT,"
The pamphlet will be used as a supple
nent to the legal briefs which City Solici-
7f Ryan will file with the Public Service
lommisslon tomorrow, In answer TO the
lNuments offered by the Philadelphia
Rapid Transit Company and by Ruby II.
iale attorney for David e. Dallam. at
IA public hearing on Monday.