Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-21
BEWARE THE STEAM
ROLLER!

TF ANY purblnd leaders are attempting
i to inject factional politics into the
transit situation they would better he.
ware the consequences of popular indig.
nation. The voters by an overwhelming
majority for the transit loan have ap.
proved the project. The speedy construc-
ton of the subways and elevated lines
was promised TO them as soon as they
had authorized the issue of the necessary
bonds. No more monumental mistake
could he made by politician who hopes
to have future than to uso the transit
plans as a pawn in his game. Tho people
will get what they want under tho pres.
ent political leaders or over them. The
steam roller is in working order. 1t IS
well oiled, and If enough provocation is
given it will begin to move, flattening out
every little leader and every big one who
attempts to obstruct tho highway of
progress.
The present duty of the Public Service
Commission is to issue certificate Of
public necessity for the construction of
the delivery loop, in order that the con.
tracts may be awarded. Commissioner
Magee, however, seems to think that it
must go into the whole transit question
and decide whether enough money has
been appropriated to complete the system
as planned, and whether any one has
been found to operate It. After it has
reached a conclusion on these matters it
may consider the certificate Of necessity
for the latest section for which bids have
been received. Mr.. Magee has let it be
city has not money enough to complete
the system.
That is aside from the question just
now. The facts before him and the other
commissions are that the people voted a
loan of $1,000 900 for the delivery loop
and that bid of s5,7S4,OOO has been re.
ceived for its construction. This is
s1,s16,O00 less than the appropriation,
The contracts for the section of the
Frankford elevated and for the station
under the City Hall were let for two or
three millions under the appropriation.
But in spite of these low bids a concerted
attempt is making to create the impress.
sion that too little money has been set
aside for transit.
The most foolish statement that has
| been made came from Director Twining
when he said that "the transit situation
today, with construction authorized and
no lessee or operator of the lines pro.
vided, is like a man who purchases a
buggy before making arrangements to
buy horse"
Has Mr.. Twining never had any eXpe.
rience In buying horses? Does he not
know that if he even whispers to friend
that he wants a horse he will find horse
dealers at his door the next morning
anxious to sell him any kind of an animal
that he has money to pay for?
The least of the troubles confronting
the city is that connected with finding a
company to operate the new lines. 1t Is
the beauty of the Taylor plans that they
provide for a complete system that can
be operated Independently and profitably,
If it is impossible to make satisfactory ar
rangements, with the Rapid Transit Com.
pany. The proposed Chestnut street
subway will connect the Frankford line
with the Broad street subway and the
Darby elevated line. Street railway men
IN other cities would jump at the chance
| to organize a company to lease and oper
ate this system. The city holds the whip
hand in the matter of the lease and can
| dictate such terms as seem good to it.
All these things are known to the mer
who are trying to confuse the issues and
delay the prosecution of the work. AND
the citizens who voted for rapid transit
| improvement know it also.
Beware the steam roller!