Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-18
TRANSIT SITUATION

BfV1H gtoternent OF mr' ballHu poAoio
= 1pint committee Of Councils yesterday
nuts 70 rest, we surmiso, tho almost
sIanderous contentious of certain gentle
msn 10 the effect that the Philadelphia
Rapid Transit Company was not a party
60 any tentative agreement in 1914 and
was not bound, morally or otherwise, to
cooperate with the city in the achieve
ment OF rapid transit
Afr. Ballard omphaticaliy wishes TO
say ON behalf of the company that 1t
stands ready to enter into contract
With the city of Philadelphia incorporat-
ing the spirit of the 1914 plan, with the
1915 amendment as TO exchange tickets
to which Mr.. Taylor agreed. and that 1t
win go just as far in this matter as its
credit win permit
That 10 all the citizens of Philadelphia
have asked and It is all that thoy want.
NER. BALLARD declares that the sit
4Nl uation has changed materially in
two and one-half years. and he points out
three specific conditions TO be considered.
r7rsA me Union Traction oOm-
psny has moe up 10 the present time
agreed 20 furnish the nocossary fnAn-
cial assistance.
The Union Traction Company was to
provide a sum yearly for required ex-
tensions OF surface lines. These extern
sions the P. r. T. would have to provide
Il the Union Traction Company did not.
Ths lattsr's participation. therefore,
would be to relieve the P. r. IT. of an
obligation. though under an assurance of
aair interest for all money invested. We
cannot believe that the owners OF the
Union Traction Company are 80 lacking
IN public spirit or are so blind to the
trend of events that they will decline to
perform q minor function in this great
enterprise. particularly when they are
being treated with remarkable generosity
and are virtually guaranteed against loss.
But. In tho svent the Union Traction
Company should not cooperate. 1t would
be community suicide to abandon the
whole undertaking for tho sake of a COM
paxnfiyely small sum of money. to be paid
annually. The Union Traction Company
h = barrier which should translate itself
into an aid but failing in that, 1t Is not
: barrier which Is impossible, not by
any means. Quite the contrary is true.
second. Since ths suggested agree
mant ths city has provided for eS-
4snsIens ana additions TO the original
Taylor plans which materially increase
the sommitmsna Of ths operator and
alter the financial results 30 be fairly
expected.
Ths 1914 agreement contemplated car
tain additions. for which reason it was
expressly stated that the city should
ehave the right to require the company
% equip and operate on the above basis
additional rapid transit lines or extern
sIona which the city may from time to
time build" The point however. Is not
af major Importance. since the main cost
fnlls on the city, and the additional re-
aalreuent for equipment win not be
great
Thfrd. The sost Of Al items Of oon-
atraetion ana squipmsnt Is much
greater than the original estimates,
50 thai the company nav estimates that
= saalp sysa the lines originally IN
elaasd In ths 1914 plan viii take fr0m
sI7 100000 te s1s.O00,00O, - against
s1s.o0e.oeo thsn estimated.
That Is one OF the penalties OF delay,
e HI. Taylor repeatedly pointed out. It
4 fair to say. however. that the pros
psElty Of ths company has increased far
snoka than cost Of equipment and it Is
seInallg n = better position today to pro-
slaa s1s.oooooo than It was to provide
s aaeeee IN 1914. This increase is due
s - wholly unanticipated ana unpreee-
saIsa growth Of the city. which every
10y Including Adr. Taylor. undereati-
a n inaux Of population has made
- operation Of the new lines Tar. far
ksIzsF proposition than it was. and the
s.ss IA eost or equipment does not
aI parallel the greater potential earn
asaAa q the new system.
H4H BALLAD reaches the conclusion
- me problem does not seem to
Insa4zaonntahls.s 1t Is. Ia other
zAefaazhlx feasible We see noth.
attitude e ths p Il q. ii this