Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-16
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS AND
OTHER KNOCKERS

asserted itself more than once III "'""
ern efforts TO hold Philadelphia at the
front among Other great metroroises OF
the era.
Colonel Sheldon Potter does not, we
bolleve. pose as a transit expert, even
when uttering dire prophecies of seven
cent fares. To be sure, he was
very emphatic few months ago
in declaring that here was no 1914
tentative agreement to which the T. H.
r. was bound. either legally or morally;
but almost immed ltely thereafter MI
stotesbu". and other gentlemen, whose
honcl and reputation meant something
to tn IN. took a directly opposite view
and actually reiterated their former
pledges They declined to be put in an
eouivocal positlon by Colonel Potter or
anybody else So, forsooth. it appeared
that the only persons intent on deprivins
PHILADELPHIA of the advantages Of that
1914 agreement were the two gentlemen
on whom it particularly devolved to pro-
tect the interests Of Philadelphia, Colonel
Potter and Mr. Hancock, representatives
of the city on the directorate of the p,
r. T.
That the surrender policy of these two
gentlemen was so promptly repudiated by
all other parties at interest might in or
dlnary circumstances have led to some
designations. 1t appears, however, that,
having failed to weaken the city's posi-
ton in his first effort, Colonel Potter has
returned to the field this time with an
awe.inspirng bogey, by which, remark
able as it seems. certain newspapers have
been unduly frightened and with diff.
Guilty have prevented their hair from
standing on end.
Colonel Potter, we repeat, Is not
transit expert and he has proved that he
is not a safe guide, yet his position en-
titles his opinion to consideration, and it
may be worth while to look his bogey in
the eyes and dissipate the fears which
its ghastly aspect has, it may be, aroused.
We might with satisfaction, point out
that the miracle of rapid transit battles
the foresight of even the most optimistic.
It was never anticipated that the present
Market street subway elevated would be
such an upbullder and moneymaker as
it now is, in so short a time. The first
New York subway, it was boldly hoped,
would find as a maximum 100000 pas
sengera a day somewhere. 1t has been
carrying more than twice that many for
years. There has not been a real rapid
transit development in the United States
that failed TO pay. 1t is admitted that
the Frankford IL" will pay. Private cap
itaI was ready to build it years ago. The
subway up and down Broad street taps
some of the most thickly populated terri
tory in the world 1t is an expensive
to be sure, but factors that
make 1t expensive are factors which will
also make 1t remunerative. These two
lines are those first to be built and oper-
ated. After them will come the lesser
lines. at the ends of which Industrial de-
velopment has already built up a great
and unexpected potential patronage.
But it is scarcely worth while to dwell
on these facts for Colonel Potter's own
argument is as excellent brief for the
new system as could be wanted. II
everything went dead wrong, and people
did not ride. and events did not happen
in Philadelphia as they have happened
elsewhere, then this awful calamity would
be at hand-a sevencent fare. OF course.
there is not going to be seyen-cent fare.
but suppose there were.
Residents OF Germantown now buy a
hfty-trlp Communication ticket for s51s,
or 1913 cents a ride. 1t takes them 2s
minutes 10 get to railroad station
in town, from which station they often
have to take trolley and pay five cents
extra. Yet Colonel Potter warns citizens
of Germantown that they may have to
pay seven cents per trip for a service
that win furnish them trains every three
or four minutes that will carry them
direct to whatever part OF town they wish
to go. and viii bring them into the heart
OF the city in 1e minutes, under eondi-
tions that virtually assure no delay, no
matter what the weather
Colonel Potter seems 10 be warning
residents OF Germantown that if they are
not careful they win have better service
than they have ever known ana win save
tens OF thousands Of dollars annually get.
ting It. A few ealamities Of that sort would
make Germantown ana Philadelphia the
most prosperous and happy communities
IN ths world Rapid transit Al seven cents