Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-21
Eminent Lawyers Find Smith-Mitten Transi
LEASE GUARANTEES DIVIDENDS
SAY LEADERS OF BAR

tsnlinued from Paee One
win be outraged and vast. continuing and
iffeparable damage viii be inflicted upon
tbein
.As a result of six weeks OF constant
and most earnest negotiation on my part
solely In the interest Of my fellow citizens
1.-The management of the ?. r.. T. Company.
on December 90. 1915, rendered definite
and fair lease TO the city. whereunder IL
agreed in definite terms clearly expressed
10 equip and operate the high-speed lines.
THIS lease is known as the Taylor lease.
II had, and still has, my unqualified APP
prevail.
''Mr. Il. r. Stotesbury, on behalf Of the
p. r. T. Company. personally publicly ten
dered the Taylor lease to the city and pro-
nounced II to be just arrangement be-
tween the city and company.
THE terms OF the Taylor lease afforded
the city and street railway passengers ade-
ouate protection, and assured per cent
dividends on =. r. T. Companys stock.
and small bonus as premium on efficient
management.
"The Taylor lease was opposed by May
or smith and after a committee Of city
Councils had reported IL negatively, Mayor
Smith and President Mitten OF the p. u r..
Company, framed up the Smith lease which
would give the p. Il. =. COMPANY Nrtu-
ally all of those advantages which it orgi-
HallY enOeaNOFCu 10 GET NE 10 agree TO- anu
which have branded IS unjust.
''Willinm Draper Lewis, ESQ., has been
retained counsel in the premises by tho
Mayor; he has requested me TO submit the
charges which l have made IN the form
of questions and has agreed TO answer such
questions--they are printed in capita! type
on the pages of n pamphlet which | have
here. The references beneath the questions
apply to the specified articles and sections
IN the Smith lease which is printed In fun
In the pamphlet appendix A. except
In the Instances where tuch references are
made 10 certain articles and sections in the
Taylor lease which is printed in fun as
'appendix B..
These questions and references have
been compiled for my fellow citizens in
concise form to enable them to readily de-
termine by personal examination of thk
Smith lease that these questions require
Affirmative answers. the appalling nature Of
the proposition thus will be clearly exposed
20 them.
Il earnestly request my fellow citizens
70 defend their city and their fellow cti-
rens I'm this vitality important crisis"
MAYOR ARRIVES; CAUSES BUZZ
Councils finance chamber was crowded
with representatives OF Nariou' business
mems organizations and politicians and
others long before the meeting got under
way. Among the late arrivals was Mayor
Smith His appearance caused n general
r,
n Penrose member of Councils, and sat with
him In far corner.
The meeting was called 10 order by
Chairman Gaffney, Of the finance committee.
The air was electric. IT was the universal
feeling that something big was on Mr..
Taylor sat quietly. and no one would have
supposed. from his calm face that ,.thin
short time he 20 be responsi50 for
the biggest transit surprise in all the long
campaign to get for Philadelphia. on terms
fair to the city, the rapid transit system
70 needed for its growth and expansion
EXCHANGE TICKETS CONTINUE
Mr.. Taylor presented a series of questions
which were answered by AR Lewis Mr..
Taylor asked II the Smith lease authorized
and empowered the Rapid Transit Company
TO issue the three-ceut exchange tickets. as
at present, until after the subway delivery
loop and the first section Of the Broad
street subway had been placed i'm opera T.
tion, and until the abolition of the ex-
change ticket had been determined upon
by the Public Service Commission
In reply Mr.. Lewis said: "The eight-cent
exchange tickets will continue until after
the opening of the Broad street subway.
The matter Will be taken before the Public
Service Commission aud the tickets con-
tinued until the commission gives an order