Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-27
Mass-Meeting to Rap
Transit Lease "Grdb"
Continued from Page One


sidcration guarantees no return tu the
p Il. Y. Company.
Second. The members Of our associa-
tiou clearly understood that the 1914
tentative agreement between the Phila-
dciphia Rapid Transit company and tho
city required the immediate abolition OF
the exchange tickets and the issuing Of
fre" transfers throughout the city, cS-
cept IN the delivery distrct--bounded by
the two rivers and Arch and Walnut
streetS-also that passengers were to re-
Ceive free transfers outside of the buSi-
ness district which would enable them to
ride on east and west lines and then
transfer free to north and south lines
leading To their destination in the busi-
ness district; and on the return trip.
they would be enabled TO take a north
ana south line out from the business dis
ulct and transfer free on an east and
west line 10 their destination in either
North or South Philadelphia This agree
lh"ht TO continue. in order to avoid con-
Eestlon on surface lines within the bust
ness district. until the delivery loon is
paced IN operation under Arch. Eighth
ana Locust streets. when free transfers
would be obtainable within the business
dlstrict. and between hgh-speed lines,
and between hlgh-speed lines and surface
lines throughout the city.
Mr.. Taylor clearly informed us at our
ineetings-and he also informed the pub
nc AT numerous meetings--through the
department reports. and through the
newspapers, time and again. that the
operation of the citys high-speed lines
coupled with this arrangement would
during the early year of operation, pro-
duce insufficient revenue to pay the city's
entire interest and sinking fund charges.
lie pointed out time and again the
amount OF deficits which the city might
be required to make up out of the cur
rent revenue during the early years of
operation; and he explained how the
one-inill personal property tax granted
by the State to the city as a practical
subsidy In aid of transit development
would help offset these early deficits. lie
also explained how the construction of
the city's high speed lines would very
largely increase the taxable value of real
estate in the districts which they will
serve, and how the city would thus gain
very large increases in tax revenue on
account of the increased valuation, and not
on account Of Increased tax rate.
These facts were spread before prac-
tically all of the business, labor and civic
organizations throughout the entire city
with the utmost frankness. The voters
ratified this plan of action at many mass
meetings held in every section of the
city and they went TO the polls and
voted over 100000, 900 toward the build
ing of the citys high-speed transit lines.
with the understanding that the ex-
change tickets were to be cancelled I'M
mediately. and that the high.speed lines
were to be operated, with free transfers
between them and between the hgh-speed
system and surface lines.
we believe that the city's policy with
respect to the immediate abolition of the
exchange tickets has been finally settled.
and that IL cannot be upset without going
back on the voters.
In conclusion Mr.. Chapman expressed the
belief that the discriminatory exchange
tickets were illegal and said the city and
the Public Service Commission should not
become parties to an agreement which
would nullify the proceedings now pending
before the Commission designed to elimin-
ate this illegal charge against persons and
localities in Philadelphia.
A similar attitude, it Is expected, will be
adopted by Senator Wares contracting firm.
which has S2,O0o,Oo0 in contracts for transit
work.
Senator McNichol said
IF bids We're made today they would