Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-10
MAYOR WELCOMES
LEASE CRITICISM
Approves Former Director
Taylor's Purpose to An
alyze Transit Plan
sJUST WHAT WE WANT"
West Philadelphia Business Men
Invite Expert Opinion
on Agreement

Mayor Smith, following out his program
Of fullest publicity for the new transi
lease proposal announced today that HI
would welcome an analysis and criticism o.
che lease by A. Merritt Taylor, former
transit director. The announcement OF th'
Mayor was made after he had been told
y chat q number Of business organizations
had requested the former director to dissec'
the lease for them.
II approve Of Mr. Taylor's attitude In
Offering to analyze the lease" said the
Mayor. That Is exactly what we want
The more criticism the better do not
care who It is who may And flaws in this
lease; what we are after is criticism
MAYOR AND AIDS CONFER
The new transit lease and the legal d!f-
hcultes which are delaying the execution
of the six big subway contracts were taken
up by Mayor Smith and his advisers TO-DAY
At a series OF conferences which lasted Tor
nearly three hours.
City Solicitor Connolly and Transit d.
rector Twining were the first TO call at the
Mayors office. The City Solicitor went
over the general features OF the lease with
the Mayor but he did not take copy
Away with him and II is understood that
he will not receive a copy until after the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company on
Monday. when the final change VIII be
made In the draft.
SOLICITOR TO SCAN LEASE
Mr.. Connolly virtually assured the
Mayor, however, that he would be able to
70 over all the legal questions involved
In time to give the lease his approval be-
fore the special meeting Of Councils on Fri
day afternoon.
The legal difficulties which have arisen
as a result of tn, request Of the firms
holding the six subway contracts ttotal-
ing $15.o00,oO0) that they be granted GER
tain concessions" on account Of war con-
tions, were taken up by the Mayor. the
Director and the City Solicitor. After the
conference Mr.. Connolly arranged a meet
ing with his assistants In the citys law
department on Monday.
The concessions sought by the contractors.
although they have been approved by tho
Mayor and all others concerned. amount
to virtually an alteration in the contracts,
1t Ia admitted. and for this reason tho
passage by Councils of certain ordinances
broadening the powers OF the Transit Direc-
tor may be necessary In order to settle the
differences.
II is possible that such an ordinance or
ordinances may be introduced at the special
session on Friday although It is not con-
sidered likely that the preliminary work in
volved in the question could be cleared up
by that time.
Senator McNichol. whose firm (the Key
stone state Construction Company holds
four OF the six contracts, is particularly
anxious to have the matter adjusted. He
called upon the Mayor in reference to the
oifnoulties just after Mr.. Connolly left this
morning
At the conclusion of the conference Nc
Nichol announced that his company had
agreed to carry out It's four contracts with
the city on their original terms. This means
that the costs will remain the same as
named In the bids submitted many months
ago, but McNichol stipulated that fines i'm.
posed for delays In the execution Of the
contracts shall he remitted He also an
nounced that because the Government IL
taking so many of his men It would be
necessary to give him reasonable time to
execute the contraAs. Mayor Smith. ap-
preciating the condition of the labor mar
ket' consented to this proposition he said.
Finance Committee Chairman joseph p.
Gaffney and Charles l.. Fluck, president OF
the Northwest Business Mems Assoclat ton
were the last to discuss the transit stua-
tion with the Mayor Both went over the
terms of the lease, Mr.. Fluck In order to
aeauaint the members of his association
with them next week. and Mr.. Gaffney to
consider some of the financial problems
involved which have not been entirely set
t,eo t. 10 'he satisfaction or the administra-
''on
The fact that Mr.. Taylor will make an
expert analysis OF the lease was made
Known today by John N. McGarvey. chair
man OF the transportation committee Of
IN .ne us A,med BUSINESS Mems Association
OF west Philadelphia This organisa-
tion has announced that It will attempt
10 amend the lease on the floor of Coun-
ths ,rnn,ediota oons,r,,",, ps9'isIon ior
OF the long discussed crnss,n,u, 'pH,"'on
Tifty-sixth street ''i'e y"
John N McGaryey chairman ., ,,.