Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-18
Business Men Score
NelU Transit Lease


question or questions in writing l VIII b
glad to answer every one to the fullest ex
tent Of which I am capable"
Even Dave" Lane, who is a large holder
OF Union Traction Company stock. con
demned II. He was In Atlantic City today
and his attitude toward the proposed com.
pact bordered on disgust He advocated
that the city operate the subways and ele
waited lines itself. and added that he would
not be at all averse to selling his Union
Traction holdings.
The Mayor declined to add to the formal
Statement he read In Councils yesterday.
He also spent the night at Atlantic City,
and refused to be interviewed further on
the lease.
In every section, prominent citizens voiced
their disapproval OF the terms of the pro-
posed agreement. The provisions requr-
Ing an increase In the rate OF fare. and
the creation of the so-called board OF
supervising engineers to take over COM
piete charge Of all transit questions were
strenuously objected to by the heads Of
business organizations and others in all
parts Of Philadelphia.
The entire lease. and what Il really means
20 the citizens Of Philadelphia, Is being
reviewed in detail by ex-Dlrector A. Mer-
vitt Taylor.
The former Director Of City Transit, in
. statement issued by him soon after the
terms of the proposed agreement were
made public, branded the lease as an agree
ment that would impose upon the tax
payers burdens that are unnecessary,
onerous and outrageous" He promised to
give to the citizens careful digest of
the new proposition, probably the first of
next week
There is no sign of elation among the
ORGANIZATION week-enders at the shore
over the proposed lease. Several Organi-
nation leaders shrugged their shoulders in
despair when asked their views on various
phases of 1t. One admitted that an increase
IN fare may be necessary to operate the
proposed high-speed system under the new
lease. Another prominent Organization
leader fatty declared that section d OF the
lease, providing for the creation of a
hand-picked board of engineers TO be hired
and fred at the will Of the Mayor was
Illegal.
The man who expressed this opinion
asked that his name be withheld at the
present time. His views carry very con-
siderable weight in Organization circles.
A sample Of the Organization sentiment
here regarding the lease is shown by the
remarks of Dave" Lane, former chairman
Of the Republican city committee It was
: with much hesitancy that he entered into
any discussion Of 1t as he basked in the
Atlantic breezes on the porch of the Hotel
Strand
The sage Of the organization" said he
had not had sufficient opportunity to thor
oughly digest the terms of the proposed
lease and did not like to pass judgment on
whole fabric which should only be exam
ined piecemeal. Nevertheless he said
II have always conteNded that the Rapid
Transit Company should never have any
thing to do with the whole new proposition.
Why not let the city run its own lines?
On reviewing the project generally be-
lieve that when the city builds its roads and
they become unified that increase in fare
may be necessary to operate their enormous
hi do nnft hfply tl,,t
Will be required at the outset of the pro-
seedlings.
But there have been many things which
nave puzzled me In this matter While the
TWO contracting parties have had numerous
conferences. the stockholders have never
been invited to a single one. With his pay
ment OF $50 a share and loss OF fifteen
years interest. which would amount to SIS
snare, think he is entitled to some little
oonsideration'
lease was very favorable to the stockhold-
ers. Mr.. Lane looked at the questioner
hopelessly.
IT the lease is regarded as being in the
interest OF the stockholders" he said, "I
would be delighted to dispose of mine al s5o
, snare, which would mean the loss of s25
interest" '-'
And the organization sage looked as
though he meant It
3 without these extensive subways and
toAtB SioNateu systens, ne continued, 'there
have been just two dividends declared nv
the Rapid Transit Company in fifteen years.
Let us nave look at actual facts in the
present cost of transportation
< THE railroads are obliged to cbsrpe
twenty.hve cents to Chestnut Hill on a cost
OF sloo,ooo per mile surface construction.
therefore. one cannot help wondering how
subway costing $4,000 900 per mile. and
An overhead system costing 100000 per
mile, can carry passengers the same dis
tance for five cents"
Asked his views Of that section of the
LEASE which provides for the creation OF n
board of engineers under domination ~ tha
Mayor at fancy salaries Mr. Lane asLad
TO be excused from making any comment
on this ie"'
Until have read the proposition caro-
fully and submitted 1t to those mors %
miliar with conditions than I am. I will no,
express any opinion on that. would
rather base my opinion on figures than mere
assertions" '"'ie
MAYOR AND CoNNELLY ARE SILENT
4 AS Mayor Smith admitted that the Ieass
was not perfect In detail, an effort was noada
70 obtain the views of City Solicitor Jobn
=. Connolly to learn what the defects were
When seen at his home in Ventnor Mr.
Connolly was asked II he had actually given
an opinion on the lease before II was nre-
eented to Council. Mr.. Connolly asked ~ ~.
sxcused from discussing any phase of the
A548c al tulS time.
z Believing that Mayor Smith bimseIf m,v,s
xensure his views on the subject, a visit was
yeid 70 his palatial home on 10 Morris ave-
We. As usual No 13 proved TO be had ,ucI
- negro butler pressed a stubby noss
nyninst well-barricaded screen door ana
eskeo tne caller what he wanted. On learn
1ng that chat with the Mayor was desired
ne butler took quick glance 20 see tha;
tne poit IN the door was well fastened and
earrfed the message. He returned in a few
Mayor was getting ready TO 70 out A''
nut IT, matter wish to see ths M.vou
1Seue = very important" the caller as
@pat ain no difference" said the butI.r
~ ain no use taken up the same mes.
8 - the visitor suggested that he vouIa
~ ~ Mayor on the porch. The negro
''ssll ds Mayor win be long
puoINugg MEN sAY