Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-12
TRANSIT PLAN
UP TO VOTERS
FOR APPROVAL
Mayor Will Sign Measure
Today-Goes Before
People May 16
IT'S SUCCESS ASSURED
McNichol Offers Terms to Con-
tinue Work-Twining Waits
Connelly's Advice

The ratification of the Taylor transit
plan now rests with the voters OF Phila-
delphia. The transit and port loan Dill,
providing s57,100,000 for the construction
Of a system of high-speed elevated and
subway lines, and S1o,000,000 for port
improvements as passed by the unanimous
vote OF Councils yesterday, will be signed
by Mayor Smith today and will go before
the people at the primary election May Is.
Councils action for the complete Taylor
plan was received by Former Director
Taylor with deep qualification. Realizing
what rapid transit means to Philadelphia
he prophesied the people will approve the
loan at the polls.
"As a citizen Of Philadelphia" Mr..
Taylor said, II am deeply gratified by
the action taken by City Councils In
placing in the hands Of the people the
destiny of Philadelphis's transit develop.
ment
''The voters realize the necessity Of
proper, modern transit facilities to carry
people between all important sections Of
the city quickly. comfortably and for one
Scent fare, and l have full confidence
that they will authorize the necessary
Increase In the city's indebtedness at the
coming election for that purpose, with the
full realization of what II means to each
and every one OF them, and to the mem
bers of their families, as well as, in a
ment."
MUST REGISTER TODAY.
supporters of the Taylor plan today
called attention to the necessity for all
who were not qualified to vote at the gen.
eral election last November to register
today TO be able to vote for rapid transit
at the primary. Business associations.
trade bodies and improvements organiza-
tions In every ward in the city have in
w. t. .-sNW m Il
politicians predict that the loan bill VIII
be passed by a large majority. In this
connection IL was pointed out that the
$4,000, 900 transit loan providing for pre-
llmnary construction of only two of the
lines was passed by ten-to-one vote last
April.
with the transit loan the voters will
pass upon the loan of $47,425,O0O for gen.
eral purposes, which was passed by
unanimous vote in Select Council and with
one dissenting vote in Common Council
yesterday.
Transit Director Twining today asked
city Solicitor Connolly how the work un-
der City Hall can be continued to the best
advantage of the city under the PROPOSE
tions submitted yesterday by Jerome II
Louchheim, president of Senator Nc
Nichols Keystone State Construction Conn
pany. The company submitted TO the
Mayor and the Transit Director yesterday
the terms unueT Which, llSJ WIZ NcHfAy
with the order of the city to proceed with
the work
In the company's statement It was made
kpiain that the island station and the four
racItubway under City Hall can be con-
structed as planned by former Director
Taylor Before this can be done, how
ever. IL will be necessary 10 make PRO-
visions for the rebuilding Of the founda-
tions under City Hall.
According to the company, the work
may be done under a separate contract,
or II may be done under the force ac-
count item in the original contract,
which viii give a profit OF 80 per cent TO
the company. The choice rests with Di-
rector Twining, and to be certain Of his
position he asked the City Solicitor for an
opinion.
Until Mr.. Connolly passes upon the mat
ter the work under City Hall will be at
a standstill. Mr.. Connolly said today that
he knew nothing about the contractors
terms, except what he had read in the
newspapers. He added that he would not
be able TO consider the case until tomor-
row, at the earliest.