Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-12-21
Wei0ls Transit Plan
Urges Mayor Smith

s.z.isssa from rnEe one
.-..te, the many intricats problems In
-stesd with the utmost fairness 10 all
rsrsiss IN interest.
PLAN BEFoRE COUNCILS
>.-kabiv the only step taken IN ths whois
lee ,oday--and that will be only a
e.-e.siitv.-vgiil be the action Of the presi.
.- ~ hath Select and Common Councils
80 aftfrnoon IN referring the transit COM
---yss proposition 70 the Finance and Street
faH~ays Committees
rhssA committees jointly have before
.ss,, The ordinance introduced some weeks
- ~ Mayor Smith and incorporating a
Srsn of an operating lease between the
s4.an.nv ard tho city. The company has
s,eassy reiscted this draft and Il ls not
s.sscfsd that elther committee Will give Il
snv further confederation
transit Director rwInnE. IN discussing
az situation today prior to the conference.
xs.sared that the compnuy'H pan was much
e.fisr than the Mayors proposed ordinance.
~ th4 former had his thorough approval
~ indicated at the same time that he
-ssnsef 70 ask the Mayor a few questions
vteardinK the proposed method Of carrying
~ any1e OF the arrangements aa set forth
Former Mayor Bankenburg said today
thst he had read the proposal OF the =. H.
with great interest
- am very much pleased with the prog
~.4s Of the negotiations" he remarked
IA raniFed 70 make any comment on tho
features outlined IN tho pians or the II.
,sThls latest development" continued Mr..
n,ankenburg "is an Endorsement OF my
ADMINISTRATION
PROVISION FOR FUTURE
Before the conferences called by the
uavor convened IL was pointed out tina,
e,naa objection. might be raised TO that
eauss in the company's proposition refer
ring 70 the fare on the new system Pro-
vsrIun was rpado in the clause for a read
hatmsnt OF the fare. should sueh be neees-
sary 10 protect tho company'a returns. The
rarngTaph follows:
The system shall be operated with
ive-cent fare, but provision shall be
made for such readjustments OF fare
AZ any time during tho term OF the con-
tract ms may be necessary to protect
and secure tho return to tho company
as specified herein and necessary and
advisable In the interest OF the city
for any unforeseen reason or contln-
gency.
PUBLIC SAFEGCARDED
Fear was expressed that this clause
might be so twisted in the future in such
4 way that the rate OF fare would bc raised
above fve cents. Those who have studied
the phrasing Of the company's prorosal
carefully, however. declare that there la no
bams for such fear because any change In
the fare rate would first have to be APP
proved by City Councils and then by the
State Public Service Commission.
such an objection was likewise declared
10 be without any basis, since the oper-
alton OF tho combined system at n profit
is conceded by virtually all who have made
study OF Philadelphias big transit prob |
lens
rho Mayor would not comment upon this
phase OF question after the conference
DETAILS OF PROPOSAL
The entire proposition OF tho company. in |
me form submitted to the city officials, |
epllows:
Gentlemen---The Philadelphia Rapid
Transit Company proposes that con-
tract for the operation OF the citys
high-speed lines be undertaken by II
under the following general terms
which. II acceptable to the city, can
be Incorporated In a contract drawn in
definite terms so ms to adequately pro-
teet the interests OF both parties there
to In every respect.
The Taylor plan covers an elevated
from Front and Arch streots to Bridge
street, Frankford an elevated from
Thirteth and Market to Darby: a sub
way in Broad street with branches and
with a delivery loop: and subway
elevated line from city Halt to Rox-
borough via the Parkway. Twenty
ninth street and Henry street. 1t pro-
yides that the Rapid Transit Company
shall equip these lines. extensions
thereof and other lines built by ths
city and operate them in conjunction
with it's own lines as one system. grant
ing free transfers az intersectlng
points so that the citlzens would get
the fullest possible benefit from this
great expenditure by the city
Heretofore the condition of the Rapid
Transit Company was such that II was
proposed that the receipts OF the two
lines should be kept separate. and the
Rapid Transit Company protected by
so-ealled preferential payment to the
extent that Its earnings were diverted
70 city lines. The great Improvement
that has taken place In the financial
eondltion OF the Rapid Transit Com
pany makes this plan nO-longsr neces-
eary. as the company Is today making
on Its own system greater amount
Than II Is willing TO accept as an as
sured fixed share OF the profit from the