Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-15

or militant, backward or forward. that
Is the issue.
THIS newspaper was launched to serve
Z y the people of Philadelphia. It's most
conspicuous public service up to this
time has consisted in fighting with every
ounce of brain and Drawn that is in it for
comprehensive transit system. -
1t entered on this fight only, after an
exhaustive study and analysis of the Tay.
for plan. 1t took into account the thou.
sands of innocent investors who hold
stock In the p. R. IT, and it reached the
deliberate conclusion that the p. r. r.
was being offered as fair. and square n
deal as any municipality, not coerced
y over offered public service corporation.
A year ago the Philadelphia Electric
Company was sure that a reduction in
rates would ruin it, vet it voluntarily
agreed to that reduction a few weeks
ago. The Taylor. transit system will help,
not ruin, the P. r. It. -, ~
The EvEN1Na LEDGER analysed the
terms of the Taylor plan with due con.
sideration for the thousands upon thou.
sands of owners of small houses. men
who from their earnings. by the sweat of
their brows have managed to buy their
: own homes and on whom the imposition
Of new taxes would be real burden. 1t
was quickly apparent that the Taylor
plan. instead of penalfzing these citizens,
would make them it's particular benef.
Charles.
Not. the least valuable feature of the
Taylor plan Is the method of financing |
proposed. For not one dollar of interest
shall the city be liable until the par.
ticular lines have, been completed and in
actual operation for one year. No man
doubts that the two main arteries to be
built, the Broad street and Frankford |
lines, will be revenue-eafners from the
beginning. Any deficit from the other
lines viii be more than compensated for
BY new sources of revenue.
The present elevated-subway line has
proved its earning power; 1t is an augury
pf what the others will do.
Were the proposed lines about to be
built with private. capital, the estimates
of cost would doubtless be far in excess
OF present estimates. for leaks through
which to let water in would somehow be
found. Under the present plan of city
ownership the people are to be given
its worth for every dollar spent. They
WIN pay no taxes. direct or indirect on
water that has been engraved into stock.
Get that point clear. citizens. You
lend your credit only for what you are
20 get.
Defeat the loan. let private capital
build even one OF the lines. and you
viii pay In fares. for dividends on wa.
fered stock. many times the losses your
snemies in friends garb tell you may ac.
srus frOm city ownership. They are not
AFRAID that you win lose; they hate to
sec slipping from them plum they want
TOR themselves.
When the gang stood together there
vas no talk of voting against loans be.
eauss public money would be squandered.
Then there were no watehdogs of the
treasury, for both factions dipped their
hands into it together. Now, as il Prov,
tdence were guarding the interests OF the
people. the factions are at each others
throats They are so nearly matched in
strength that each holds the veto power
b the other. There has not been a
tine in years when the voter could favor
: loan with so great certainty of expend.
itnres being watched.
We viii not hobble this city because
ens boss does not like another. We win
not sell our heritage to serve the
political ambitions OF one or another
1ans obstructionist- We win not. by our
votes push Philadelphia back into the
ranks Of second-elaza. unprogressivs cit.
We are done with the vision that ends
yesterday, We are done with the men
a would draw a circle about this city
- hola 4 20. We want no Chinese bar
s We da want tie breath Of life.
~ z14a HAeEe*.ih eIEIts grow ana *
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