Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-03
PARSONS HERE TODAY
TO CONFER ON TRANSIT

Continued from PAGE One
WAS agreed upon. but II was not announced
TfCt IL was considerably under $50. .000
wh\'h sum was paid annually to Ford
BaCln & Davis. Of New York. under the
BlanNenburg administration for engineer
ing asrvces. was admitted, however.
In spite OF the repeated assertions Of
Maytr Smith that he will permit no changes
in the Taylor plan. IL Is rumored that some
radical changes viii be discussed at the
confidence today. Just what changes are
Der contemplation. however. cannot be
learned
Any change in the Taylor plan II is
known, will be met bysVlgorous opposition
by the numerous business organizations
which led the long fight for its adoption.
Considerable opposition is developing among
these same organizations to the employ
ment Of an outside expert when there are
engineers OF acknowledged ability I'm this
city.
The letter from tho Chamber OF Com
merce recommending TO the Mayor the
selection OF Mr.. Parsons has caused a tur-
mol In that organization The letter. il
has been established was sent without any
authorization from the board of directors
or from the executive committee and for
this reason It is rumored that at their first
meeting this month the board of directors
will be asked to repudiate the action Of
President French In sending the letter.
NEW OBJECTION OFFERED
II has been set forth that there cannot
be any operation OF new llT es except upon
terms which have first been submitted to
the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company.
The agreement between the city and the
company known as the agreement OF 1907,
was cited as authority for this obligation
upon the part Of the city.
Michael J, Ryan then city solicitor. on
May II, 1915, furnished an opinion TO 4.
Merritt Taylor. Director Of the Department
of city Transit which is on record.
This opinion indicates that the City Of
Philadelphia Is not bound by the 1907 con
tract with the Philadelphia Rapid Transit
Company 10 first offer any subway and
elevated lines proposed to be built by the
city TO the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Com.
pany, and II clearly indcat - that the city
is not "beholden unto the Philadelphia
Rapid Transit Company In this respect"
The opinion of City Solicitor Ryan was
rendered In response 20 a letter addressed
to him by the then Director Of city Transit
A. Merritt Taylor.
In his opinion. the city Solicitor says in
part
"You ask.
FIRST. Is the city obligated TO offer the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company the
| right 10 build the Frankford elevated line
as provided In Article 8. OF the Contract OF
| 1907 before undertaking the construction
thereof as municipality"
II answer When the ordinance and
| contract OF 1907 were passed and executed
the city was without the power 20 build
subways. elevated railways, or other lines
OF transportation, and such ordinance and
contract were drawn with that fact neces-
sarlly In view. Is, Section thereof IN,
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company sur
| rendered It's right 10 build a subway In
Broad street. and It's right 10 construct the
Franiford Elevated Railway was confirmed
the time for the building thereof being ex,
tended 20 three years from June 1, 1907
That period has expired and the inde.
pendent right OF tho transit company tc
build the Frankford elevated line has
/ therefore. lapsed"
80 These provisions clearly indicat,
that the right 10 construct new lines, which