Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-06


generally taken to indicate his bitterness
toward the directors, who recently chnI-
louEed the transit company officials to
declare openly their attitude toward the
fake transit ordinance, and who
charged that MIR. stotesbury had not used
his best efforts to obtain the cooperation
of the Union Traction Company to the
cooperative agreement between the city
and the Rapid Transit Company.
The Mayor withheld publication Of the
Stotesbury telegram until he had con-
ferred with Director Taylor and Director
Norris. Immediately after the confer
ence he gave out the telegram, with no
statement excepting that he felt II need
ed no reply Director Taylor likewise
made no statement
NORRIS ISSUES STATEMENT.
Director Norris proceeded at once to
his Office in the Boursc, where, as the
moufnpiece of the administration he is
sued a formal statement supplementins
the challenge he made TO the Rapid Tran
sit Company on the night OF the mass
meeting In the Academy OF Music rem
ruarv "a, explaining his present position
and discussing the controversy which mas
arisen between the administration heads
and Mr.. Stotesbury.
The telegram which precipitated the
latest Developments in the complicated
transit situation follows:
The Breakers, Palm Beach, Florida.
Honorable RNdolph Blankenburg'
Philadelphia. Penna.
L am In receipt Of your telegram OF
March I'd suggesting a conference upon
ranId transit matters. will be glad
TO discuss tho matter with you per-
sonallv on my return, but In view OF
the fact that your directors. Taylor
and Norris. have failed to retract their
public expressions upon my personal
and official integrity, l must decline
TO take part in any conference with
them. E. I. StotesourN.
NORRIS REFUSES TO RECEDE.
Director Norris, In his statement, de-
clined to withdraw an inch from the posi-
tion he took in making the challenge, lie
declared that the door is still open for
the Rapid Transit Company to let the
people of Philadelphia know exactly
where II stands on the public issue and
whether It still ls favorable to the Taylor
plan as indicated last May in the co-oper-
atiYe agreement.
That Mr.. Stotesbury already have dis
transit ordinance introduced by the FL
nance Committee, Mr.. Norris stated, is
cause for congratulation. but the Director
asked further that the public be assured
that all "the officers, agents and attor-
neysf OF the Rapid Transit Company are
in the same position in this matter as Mr.
stotesbpry himself
The Director further declared that he
had done the Rapid Transit Company a
favor 10 opening an opportunity for them
to clear themselves of the odium now
resting upon those responsible for tho
ordinance before the Mayor.
The receipt of the third telegram from
Mr., Stotesbury in the course of the long
distance controversy indicated that Mr..
Stotesbury is unwilling TO allow the tran
sit differences to rest until he returns
from Florida as requested by the Mayor.
Mayor Blankenburg, when asked whether
he would be willing TO meet Mr. Stotes-
bury without the two directors, replied
that he had conferred with the magnate
many times before and saw no reason why
he should not do so again.
DIRECTORS STATEMENT.
The statement Of Director Norris fol-
lows In full.
Mr. stotesbury does not realize how
hard IL Is for persons familiar with local
conditions TO believe that Senator Me-
NIchoIl and his lieuteuants in Councils
are not playing the transit companys
game III this matter. We know that they
have no real objections 10 the proposed
amendment, or they would
have stated them two years ago. We
know that they have no real fear that
Director TayIor's plans would involve an
Il. TO TnT IL t1s.VF IL
have proclaimed that fear long ago and |
Mr. Connolly would not have introduced |
an ordinance that would bring about such |
! deplorable result We know that IL |
they had any honest doubts about de- |
alls OF his plans they would have dis |
,ussed them with him, with Chief |
and with other engineeTs-non |
II which things they have done. We know |
hat they are trying 10 utterly defeat |
zeal rapid transit
Nov. having the next mayoralty ap- /
,arently in their grasp, why should the
Organization run the risk of raising an
ssue upon which they are almost cer-
ain to lose that mayorslty? All that
hey stand TO win is having the S. 600, 600
y contracts that Director Taylor would
et this year let next year under the
aew Administration, Is that stake forth
he riskY ANY intelligent man would re-
ply IN the negative. The only remaining |
I
ion IS playing some one else's game, or
O that Il has utterly parted company
Rith the last remaining scintilla OF com
non sense.
II MT Stotesbury will let his mind
'ealize the persuasiYeness OF this reason
He, he Will appreciate the fact that / was
Icing the Transit Company z real kind
less when ! gave Il the opportunity
fhich Is still open-to declare lts position
n this matter. 10 state It's contempt for
he fake ordnance to line itself up with
he people and against the eouncilmanic
ullhaeks, and 10 use its influence and
nat Of its officers and directors toward
be prompt carrying out OF the plans 10
'hioh 4 gave it's approval last May.
- refrained from making any COM
ient upon Mr.. Stotesbury's first tele-
ram 10 the Mayor. charging that / had
Iade 'Elandarous remarks about him,
ecausa I supposed that the telegram
Iust have been based upon an incorrect
port Of what I had said. and that when
II StotesburF learned what / had aetu-
IS said re would withdraw the ad1ec-
- Ia his telegram OF yesterday, how
Isr. he refers % public aspaFsions upon
personal ana oiheial integrity
E sm giad 70 see that hs feels, -
a.. lhat inc Coaneiimspic hold-up of J