Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-19
Transit Pact FdUOrS
p. r. T., Says Turning
Continued from Page One


satisfactory terms to some company who
will supply the service which the citizens
greatly desire and which conversations
with many of the citizens has led me to
believe the people have tho impression this
was provided for when they authorized the
construction of the lines.
What the people want is rapid transit
service on a square-deal basis.
What the city is contracting for is sim
ply a right OF way for this service and
It is now asking the Public Service Com
mission for permission to build this righto
of way: but the service cannot be set
tied until a contract or lease Is executed
with some one who will supply the cars and
service necessary to make the lines a COM
plete working proposition.
1t has been repeatedly stated that the
structures when constructed must be
equipped and operated. The construction
part of the program will only consume
three or four years. When constructed
however, these lines are expected to last
indefinitely and to be operated continuously
by some one
THE proposition now before the city is
for a fifty-year lease of these lines, and
II is the terms on which these lines are
to be leased which are now up for
discussion.
THREE WAYS TO OPERATE
when these lines are completed there
are three ways in which they may be
operated, and the order of desirability may
be stated as follows:
First They may be leased on terms
satisfactory to the city and the existing
company the Philadelphia Rapid Transit
Company.
Second. They may be leased upon terms
satisfactory to the city and a company or
individual who will run the city's lines in
competition with the existing company.
Third The city may equip its system
of lines and operate them as municipal
system at a rate OF fare and upon terms
approved by the people.
"'The city, under the law Of 1913, is au-
thorized to purchase, lease, locate and con-
struct and equip or otherwise acquire transit
facilities and TO own, maintain, use and
operate the same.
THE city is therefore authorized to en-
bark in the transportation business IL II
finds it is unable to lease the lines on a
satisfactory basis.
THE significant statement made by Com
missioner Hagee at the public hearing held
on February II has probably been mis-
understood by the public in general.
'sThe Commissioner undoubtedly desired
to point out to the people of Philadelphia
the vital importance of determining who
and by whom these lines are to be run
The Commissioners question, Whether
the approval of these plans does not tie
be given an affirmative answer for the
reason that both the application asked for
and the plans submitted are based solely
and entirely on the assumption that a
lease with the Philadelphia Rapid Transit
Company will be accepted and that the only
matters In dispute are the matters of the
terms of the lease.
This department pointed out in the re-
port Of March 29, 1916, that for competitive
operation it is absolutely essential that
the Chestnut street subway be constructed
In order that the city's lines may have a
proper delivery and compete for business
with the subway under Market street
"As a competitor II is necessary to so
connect the lines and route the cars to
secure for the city the maximum patronage
possible.
ION competitive basis the lines must
be arranged to induce the citizens to travel
upon the city's lines SO far as possible.
and the plans as submitted TO the Public
Service Commission for approval do not
contemplate competitive system but
supplemental system
In discussing further the present form
of the Lease the director referred to the
transit situation In Boston, where he spent
several days last week.
I'm Boston," he said. 'the city has al
ready put about $4,000, 900 into high-speed
lines. Under the operating agreement with
the Boston Elevated Railway Company. the
company guarantees the city to pay all
interest and sinking fund charges upon the
bonds sold for the construction of these
lines. In addition. the company itself has
extended the high-spe4d system begun by
the city and has put about Sa2,60o.000 OF
It's owns money into H."
Under the terms OF the p. r. T. lease here,
It was pointed out. instead OF having the
company guarantee the city Its interest and
sinking fund charges on bonds.k the city
guarantees the company . 1xe1 return On
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