Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-07
A TALE OF TWO CITIES

A TALE OF TWO CITIES
DEOPLE sometimes wonder why New
4 York lea,, ahead of its American COM
petitors and has become in fact, the lead.
Ing metropolis Of the world. There is
reason for the fact, which is not due, as
some people suppose, solely TO natural
advantages. When Clinton built the Erie
Canal he established theory which ever
since, subject to temporary exceptions,
has dominated the public policy OF New
York city, IL not OF the State. and has
exercised sympathetic influence on
private corporations engaged in semi
public enterprises.
New York has asked itself what was
needed and mas then proceeded to get it,
whatever the cost, on the theory that
business and people go where service is
aud that good service is bound to be so
attractive that it will eventually be re.
munerative financially, no matter what
Z early deficits are incurred. For years
the railroads, for instance, have been
giving free to New York barge freight
service. They have built such railway
stations as the Grand Central and tie
Pennsylvania Station. and we can imagine
Mr.. Cassatt laughing in the face of any
timid individual who had ventured to ask
for proof, in tabulated figures of dollars
and ceats. that the aforesaid Pennsyl.
vania Station would straightway pay its
own way He did not expect it 10 pay its
own way, but he had mind big enough
TO see and understand that the Pennsyl.
vania system as a whole would benefit
sufficiently from hat enterprise to justify
the investment in full.
yXTHEN the first subway in New York
w was proposed In 1896, at an estimated
cost of $35 100000 it was criticized as
being a wild dream, and the beginning of
construction was delayed three years.
Since then the city has dedicated itself to
the expenditure of more than s450 900 ,Ob0
for high.speed construction. As to the
method of financing, we quote in detail
from the comprehensive 1916 report of
the Chicago Traction and Subway Com.
mission
In order that the companies lin
New York may be in a position to
finance their share of the new capital
and in order that the burden of the
new construction shall not impair
the earnings and consequently the
credit which they enjoyed before
the additional burden of construction
and equipment was imposed, the city
agreed that the companies should re-
ceive their fixed charges and pre-.
viously existing net earnings before
the city received any return. The city
will then receive similar return on
its invested capital, the balance. if any,
to he divided equally between the com.
panies and the city, ~ tcds recognised
by those acting for the city IN the pre-.
HmtHdry negotiations that it iDouid be
some pears before the citu qpouYd re-
ceive faH return o.! its inrested can
ftdl II is probable that this period
will be somewhat extended on account
of the increased cost above the esti-
mates Any deficit caused by the fail.
ure of the city's share in the net earn.
fngs to equal the interest on the city's
bonds must be supplied by the tax.
payers.
, 1t will be seen from this, and from the
cveport of our special investigator in New
I. rrk, which we publish elsewhere TODAY.
Lunch-box -bffls'oa. .jndirspensable condition.
'rtant and you are wise mott, js that Ava
think Of yours In advance. Pennies sLen-, j
the candy store at noon can undo all tho
'od OF the nourishment taken under watch an
Il eyes In the morning and at night and a we W..
ce lunch is the very best rival OF penny thi
indy store. wf
Here are some bills of fare that can be
ade up from dinner left-overs ne
Crisp rolls followed out and filled with ia
liad dressing I. a peacb and an snn,. OH
ca -, ha
.sa..a 1n..s eS. sr,,,. Iosi. GOA CRACKERS, co
= sr,,h scrsw.on tor ~ ~ II ns.,e canoy tr,
,..d WV e"N p'eeo VI s"ser Ye
nj paL s,. an
,,,nIs =, n,..s - aSa o'~"se anu on
Hard boiled esSs rye bread and ,r,,,, VIC
,dn mncea-eee, rs sanawichss apple sauce Tin to
strons-smelling Vegetables