Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-07

Mayor Smith announced today, following
the action of Councils yesterday afternoon.
in taking the last legislative step necessary
to place the S57.100,000 transit loan at the
disposal of the Department of City Transit,
that work would be begun on all lines of
Phlladelphias high-speed system as soon
as detailed plans have been completed by
the engineers of the Transit Department.
Transit Director Twining has advised
the Mayor that the detailed plans and
specifications upon which the contracts for
the new work can be let will be ready early
in October. 1t is likely therefore, that bids
will be advertised for at that time for the
first work on either the Darby elevated or
the RoxboroughM Manayunk subway-ele-
waited.
1t has net been definitely decided which of
the two lines will be begun first, the Mayor
said today. 1t is unlikely that both lines
will be started at the same time, the Mayor
explained, since the present condition OF the
labor market would make 1t impossible to
get enough men to carry on the work on
both these new lines and the Broad street
subway and the Frankford elevated stimuli.
taneously.
SMITH READY TO PROCEED.
'I had a talk recently with former Tran
sit Director Taylor as to the best way to
proceed" the Mayor said, "and although 1
am not at liberty to announce now what he
suggested, can say that am in full agree
ment with his views. 1t was agreed that
the present condition of the labor market
would make It impossible to carry on the
work on every line of the high-speed system
simultaneously"
When asked whether the prevailing high
prices of steel and other building materials
would cause any delay in letting contracts,
the Mayor replied that unless the prices
of materials scared beyond all reason this
should not cause any delay. particularly
since former Director Taylor, In making the
cost estimates of the various lines, added 10
per cent. for possible higher prices of
materials.
THE people by their vote on May 16
continued the Mayor proved beyond all
question that they want rapid transit, and
It is for me as Mayor to see that they get
what they want as soon as possible"
LEASING PLAN NOT SETTLED.
When asked what progress has been
made in the negotiations with Philadelphia
Rapid Transit Company for the leasing
and operation of the city-built hgh-speed
system, the Mayor said:
"The ad mems convention and the NOV
ing of the troops have so occupied my time
for the last two weeks that have had nc
opportunity to call conference OF the
city members on the Transit Board as
had planned to do. With these other
matters cared for I shall call a meeting
early next week to take some definite
steps"
The Mayor is anxious to work out an
agreement with the Rapid Transit Company
as soon as possible, since no work can be
done on the Frankford elevated south OF
Callowhill street until II is known how the
line shall be operated. II the Rapid Transit
Company fails to make an equitable agree
ment, the appropriation bill passed yester-
day by Councils provides $5.o00,000 tc
build a Chestnut street subway as link
ha Milford elevated and the
Darby elevated and also to make the city
built high-speed system a complete unit
which may be leased to an Independent
operator.