Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-01
STOTESBURY DEPENDS
TRANSIT POLICY
contInued from 200 one

Speeoh that the heads OF the Hapid
Transit Company are scheming TO be-
tray the public interests for private
gain.
I denounce the accusation as abso-
lutey false
] now repeat the statement which
made to the public press ct the
time when I reluctantly undertook
the difficult task OF reorganizing the
Rapid Transit Company, that I ao-
oepted this heavy responsibility sole
ly as a civic duty and without a
thought of personal gain.
His Honor the Mayor Is a member
of the Rapid Transit board and Is thor
oughly familiar with the policy which
Mr.. Mitten and have pursued In our
efforts to rehabilltate and reorganlge
this property. He knows that while
we have endeavored with some success
to improve the public service during
| the past three and one-haif years. at
| the same time II has been our duty TO
| protect the interests of the Philadel-
phia Rapid Transit stockholders who
In good faith have paid for their stock
to the full par value thereof and have
Invested S9O0O0,0oO In this property.
My loyalty to the interest OF the
city of Philadelphia is well known and
VIII bear comparison with that Of the
men who are nosly advertising their
devotion to the public
Had 1t not been for the injury which
unwarranted and lll-advlsed attacks
upon the credit of the Philadelphia
Rapid Transit Company, we undoubt-
edly would have been able in time,
using intelligent business methods, TO
have given the city of Philadelphia
the increased transit facilities which 1t
desires upon practical and solvent
business basis
At our conference in May last this
was our expectation and DESIRE and is
still, but fear that this injury to our
credit and the existing bad financial
conditions make the realization of this
expectation at the present time Inn
practicable and 1 so expressed myself
to his Honor the Mayor before leaving
on my holiday.
(signed E. T. sToTEsBURY.
The Interchange of kilograms between
the Mayor and Mr.. Stotesbury yesterday
only served to bring the transit situation
nearer to crisis. but II likewise placed
the odium for the jugglery and political
pickering which has delayed the Taylor
program squarely upon the Republican
Organization leaders in Councils.
In fact, Mayor Blankenburg in his tele-
gram to Mr.. Stotesbury specifically named
"the contractor lord of Philadelphia (Sen-
ator McNichoO as the chief originator OF
Councils initial plan for delay. The
Mayor further gave the Transit company
a clean bill of health, in so far as his
knowledge as a director of the company
was concerned.
SToTESBURY's TELEGRAM.
The telegram to the Mayor from Mr..
Stotesbury follows: ~
"The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fla, Feb.
49, 1916.
DO you consider your course of action
straightforward and Just to me when you
permit members of your Cabinet to pub.
lcly make personal attack on my In
tegrity at meeting at which you spoke,
thereby virtually giving their slanderous
your approval?
You, as member of the PHILADELPHIA
Rapid Transit Board, have been present
at all board meetings. have assisted in
shaping our policy and have voted your
thereon.
Il call upon you, therefore, to openly
take your stand, one side or the other.
''E. T. STOTESBURY."
The fact that Mr.. Stotesbury used the
word 'slanderous" in his telegram to the
Mayor has been interpreted in Admins
tration circles as indicative of the stand
taken by the traction magnate. 1t is
believed that his telegram sent to Presi.
dent Mitten will show that he repudiates
the Joker" ordinance
Mayor Blankenburg in reply declared
that his first duty was toward the city
ot Philadelphia, but that whenever con-
'lstent with this duty he would use every
'hort 20 conserve the interests of the
itockholders of the Rapid Transit Com
oany by personally favoring a public de-
lial of tho inslnuations made against the
Personally denying any part in the
charge against Mr.. Stotesbury and tho
:. r. t. management, the Mayor further
asserted that had he been present when
Director Norris spoke at the meeting In
nf
tated publicly that, so far as he knew,
he Rapid Transit Company in no wise
vas responsible for the delay of Councils
ADVISED p. r. T. DENIAL,
He further explained that he had re.
Iuested MT Mitten. president of the com
amy to Issue a collective denial over
he signatures of the p. r. n directors
saturday afternoon, but that, as many
Il the board were not accessible, nothing
ould be done until today.
Ihe mayor strongly protested against
ne language used by Mr. Stotesbury in
rs message The Executive said: EFF Won
au peen half as considerate of me ay
nave peen OF you in this unfortunate
ontroversy you would not have used the
anguage you did in your telegram"
MIR, Mitten carefully evaded all news.
apermen yesterday, intending, it is be.
eVed, TO issue his statement directly from,
Is ottice today. None of the Mayors cabl.
ct would comment on the sudden com
hcations, and John p, Connolly, chair
lan or Councils Finance Committee.
eclared he would not be drawn into any
ontroversy between the Mayor and Mr.
totesbury.
COUNCILS LEADERS MEET.
Mr.. Connolly, with other leaders in
Ouncils' met in Atlantic City yeterday.
tter telegraphio communication wIfhTk
enators Ware and McNichoI in FLORIDA. 10
rrange for the program preparatory 10
ction on the transit ordinance now pen.
ing. While the ordinance officially does
Of come before the Finance Committee,
ne leaders Of this committee will 81
'led on Thursday to make clear the Or
lnization's position on the transit con.
oversy.
IL was decided yesterday TO draw up the
'dinance in advance of Councils meeting
thursday. Any amendment needed 10
axe the ordinance fully legal win be
'epared and printed in advance, SO thera
III be no delay in passage of the bill
ne date OF the election for one thing, 4
as agreed, will not be changed.
CLAUSE WILL BE CHANGED
The principal change in the bill centre 4
'out the clause based on the assessed
.iuation Of taxable personal property.i.
hich John G. Johnson, In am opinioh
st week. stated was Illegal and would
nder the entire ordinance nugatarv Vshs