Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-30

which might end all transit progress for
ave or ten years.
GAFFNEY WARNS McNICHOL
Chairman Joseph p. Gahney, Of Councils
Y Finance Committee, warned the Senator
3 that IN opposing the bills he was taking
a stand against the city authorities and
against the crystallzed sentiment Of the
great body Of Philadelphia citizens. Nc
Nichol assured him, however. that the
z legislators. by reason Of their broader eX-
perience and more mature judgment were
compelled TO force the people TO take what
the men at Harrisburg thought best for
them.
In announcing that he would be willing
and glad to reopen the transit lease nego-
tlations Mayor Smith said he would not
agree In any case to guarantee the Transit
Company either per cent dividend or
any fixed dividend at all. The company.
he Insisted must take chances along with
the city.
II will never consent to a guaranteed
dividend" said the Mayor. IF the COM
pany is earning what It claims-and don't
deny it-then l don't see the necessity of
q guaranteed per cent dividend.
81 have always maintained in my con-
ference with Mr.. Stotesbury that ] would
never agree to any guaranteed dividend, 3
per cent or otherwise. The company, in
making an agreement will have to take
its chances with the city.
: '-rhe company maintained that the only
object It had in demanding a guaranteed 8
per cent dividend was TO enable II to finance
the equipment of hgh-speed lines If the
city should determine TO equip. the lines. a
condition which is optional, then the neces-
sity of the guaranteed dividend should dis
appear"
SToTESBURY OBDURATE
II is upon this 8 per cent guaranteed
dividend that h. r. Stotesbury chairman
OF the companys directorate declared he.
fore Councils that his management would
stand or fall Unless the company can
get II, he asserted, he win resign and dis
solve the voting trust he now controls
Yesterday he gave no indication that he
had receded from his position, and it is
likely that this demand and the determine
ton OF the Mayor to refuse 1t will be the
rock upon which the negotiations will
eventually break.
Director Twining and Mr.. Gaffney said
today that conferences would not be re-
sumcd until after the hearing Friday he
fore Councils Committees on Finance and
street Railways, Mr.. Stotesbury invited
these two men and William Draper Lewis.
the Mayors legal adviser on transit to
return from Harrisburg in his private car
with the company officials and attorneys.
They declined to enter any conference how
ever, at which the Mayor was not present
The Mayor yesterday threw down the
gauntlet TO both McNichol and Ware and
telegraphed them a final plea for a square
deal for Philadelphia. Unable 10 go to the
hearing on account Of an attack Of indiges-
ton, the Mayor sent both Senator's the fol.
lowing telegram
Slightly indsposed and unable to come
to Harrisburg today. | urge you in sim
pie justice and fairness to the people
OF Philadelphia to keep your promise to
me to work to secure the passage Of the
Salus BILL which has for its object no
other purpose than to insure the people
square deal
Failure on your part to do this will be
justly chargeable to corporate influence
over you, and am quite sure will be so
remembered by the citizens Of Philadel-
pha for all time
SENATOR'S SILENT
Neither Senator Ware nor Senator Nc
Nichol would comment upon the telegram
The Transit Company was represented
At the hearing yesterday by T. r. Stotes
bury, President Thomas Il. Mitten, g. T.
sngersoll, one OF the directors Ellis Amei
Ballard. chief Of counsel ex-Judge Jame
Gay Gordon, William n. Trinkle forme
counsel for the Public Service Commission
William l. Schaffer. attorney for the com
Dany In Delaware County, and Joseph GIL
Allan, who represented particularly In,
Union Traction interests