Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-19
MAKE PLEA FOR ISLAND
ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Citizens Tell Commissioner Car
Track Removal Would
Aid Situation

There is little hope for Improvement in
traihc conditions on Island road This thor
oughtare in the southwestern section OF the
Guy mas caused storm Of protest from
the resldehts OF that vicinity for the last
Two years A delegation from that neigh
borhood reviewed the deplorable condition
OF the road at hearing before Public Serv-
Ice commissioner Ryan in Select Council
chamber today. They pointed out that the
SITUATION could be greatly ipmroved II the
car tracks which edge the road were re-
moved to the center leaving a straight road
for traffic
After hearing numerous lengthy argu.
ments, Mr. Ryan voiced the opinion that
there was little possibility of the commits
sion ordering the Rapid Transit Company
to move the tracks until the city m de other
necessary improvements. As the city has
no money and the commission no mower to
order such improvements, he said that some
solution may be found later in view of the
justice Of the demands
The protesting residents were headed by
James Warner and the Rapid Transit Com.
pany was represented by Boyd Lee Spahr.
Mr.. Ryan asked Mr. Spahr to suggest to
the company that the space between car
tracks be filled with gravel in order to
afford additional space for vehicles The
car tracks are now laid above the surface
like railroad tracks instead Of being flush
with the street
Mr.. Sbahr promised to place this re-
quest before officials of the company and
to report their answer at another hearing
next Thursday.
1t was pointed out that although an ordi-
nance was passed in 1913 providing for the
widening Of the road from thirty to seventy
feet very little has yet been done. To make
m Itters worse the Bureau Of Highways
some time after the passage Of the ordinance
granted 4 permit to the Rapid Transit COM
pany TO lay another track on the road.
Now there is scarcely enough room he.
tween the tracks for large trucks to pass
the complainants say, and to add to other
troubles the tracks are laid above the road
instead Of being flush with IT, Numerous
accidents have occurred on account Of these
conditions. Fire engines answering alarms
in this neighborhood have frequently had tc
be towed over the road by trolley cars or
account Of lack of space.
Director DateSman said today that II
would be unwise to eXpend much money In
improving the conditions before the grades
in that section of the city have been de.
termned. To move the tracks under pres
ent conditions to the center Of the roaC
would in his opinion not lessen the dan.
gers. A similar view was expressed by rep
resentativeS of the Philadelphia RAPID
Transit Company.
The stretch of road under consideration
has suddenly increased in importance or
account OF tne growth OF nunltlOn, snip
building and other industrial plans south
west Of the city.
Some time ago the residents asked the
Court of Common Pleas to grant an injunc
ton to force the city TO remedy matters
but nothing was done, Director Datesmal
promised relief from the intOlerabe condi
tions many months ago. but now the cit,
has no money and nothing can be done un
less the Public Service Commission compel
action.