Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-19
In Process of BETRAYAL

II BEING pointed out TO Charles Seger
that his transit ordinance provided for
three miles of elevated railroad in an ad-
iacent farming district instead of rapid
transit for the people of Philadelphia. he re-
piles. "It will develop the undeveloped land"
John p. Connolly remarks that he is
against the delivery loop. That is why, no
doubt, he and his committee only few
weeks ago recommended and approved
appropriation of 100000 wherewth to re-
locate sewers preparatory to the construc-
tion of the delivery loop. Without the loop
every dollar of that 100000 will be as alb
solutely wasted as if it were thrown into
the Atlantic Ocean.
John p Connolly and his committee either
betrayed Philadelphia when they put that
half million of public money aside for the
relocation of sewers or they are now betray-
ing Philadelphia when they undertake to
prevent the achievement of the thing for
which that money was appropriated.
John p. Connolly, speaking, he says for
his committee, in official statement to
Councils says:
During the consideration of the Iegisla-
ture in 1913 OF the passage of the act maxi
Ing personal property assessable for city
purposes. 1t was distinctly understood that
the purpose of the act was to provide money
for transit facilities. The Director of the
Department of City Transit, in all his re-
ports, has figured the increased revenue to
the city from the passage of this act as an
Offset to the expense Of carrying transit
loans.
Your committee. therefore, deem IT mad
visabe at this time to authorize any loan
except the SsOOO,OOO based OH personal
property tax for any purposes other than
city transit thus keeping faith with the
intention expressed to the Legislature by
the city OF Philadelphia.
A week ago John P. Connolly advanced
the proposition that to use $S00o00o0 of the
$40, 900 borrowing capacity conferred by
the personal property tax for transit alone
would be an outrage and indefensible. Yet
here he was yesterday taking the absolutely
opposite ground that the good faith of the
city was pledged to the use of all of that
money for transit purposes specifically.
Why the change? To explain, of course.
words "based on the assessed valuation of
taxable personal property" IT Is impossible
TO reach any other conclusion than that this
expression was brought forth in the hope,
through it, later to institute legal proceed
ings for the purpose of securing inexcusable
delay.
Possibly Mr.. Connolly, If he deems 1t OF
sufficient importance, may be able to ex-
plain his eontrariety of view to the satisfac-
tion OF his friends. But the fact stands out
that whatever his view was yesterday or
whatever II is today, in each and every case
it is hostile to the cause of transit, favorable
10 delay and shot through and through with
such probable effects that no good citizens
can put their confidence in 1t or view it
with anything but suspicion. 1t need not
be wondered at that the public suspects the
activity Of ulteror interests which in some
manner or other demand from certain Of
ieials fealty greater than that they give
the public
John p. Connolly said week ago that he
objected to being put in corner and shot
at Ike a rat He has been put in no cor
ner His actions are his own. II from them
ne derives a sense OF humiliation and shame
II he feels like rat in the corner it is not
the puhlio's fault. But the public seldom
srrs in pointing it's finger in the right direc-
ton when lt feels that the time has come
TO faaten ignominy on those who have
earned IT.
whether John p Connolly is responsible
Or Charles seger. or the master. who has
sons ta FioFlde 10 select Mayor for Phlla-
aelphls. Or some other men or interests.
one fact stands out. II is that the
Interests e Philadelphia are in process Of
hstEayaf Il Is that the citizens are being
saoekad that they are being handed over
unprotected te the transit company; that a
sleinnz and malicious group is intent on pre-
ssallas scientific and economical transit in
RaaassIebsa thas i IS being planned 70 re-
sz - franchise frauds q years ago which
astsasa ea fhs cts millions q va
slpek Is eAleh 4 ia SIN paying dlYi-
hst lhs haase aease progressed Il.
s - Hassex szazEsa la 50 utterly
Es ana lnasEaz.tls as = TsIss he