Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-10
FRANKFORT T. STATION
BIDS ARE ALL TOO HIGH
Director Twining Forced to Re-
iect Proffers for Build
ing Ten
DOUBLE ESTIMATED COST


Frankford elevated road struck a snag to-
day when Transit Director Twinng was
forced to reject bids for ten Of the sta
tions on the new line because the lowest
offers made were nearly double the esti-
mates made by the engineers Of the Transit
Department.
The lowest bids for the ten station build
ings, not including the plumbing and cleo
trical installations. were above $500, 900.
Nearly a score Of bidders made offers for
part Of the work, but only two submitted
bids for the entire group Of stations. 1t
Is likely that the Director will readvertise
promptly for the WORK IN the hope OF seCur-
ing bids within the departments estimate.
The bids for the plumbing and electrical
work were well within the estimates, and
these contracts can he awarded any time
within sixty days provided the department
secures reasonable bids for the buildings
themselves
The Standard Construction Company. Of
this city made the lowest offer for the
entire work, exclusive Of the plumbing and
| electrical work. The bid OF this firm was
| $4,000. The only other offer for the en-.
tire ten stations was submitted by Melody
q keatlng, Of this city, the figure being
$4,000
BIDS FOR SEPARATE STATIONS.
Two contractors made offers for two Of
the stations These were Harry Baton
Tor the stations at 1856 and 1901 Kensing-
| ton avenue, and the william I.inker Com
pany SlO4270 and Sl07,270, for the sta
tlons at 1870 and 1904 Frankford avenue
The low bidder for the plumbing work
was 5 Faith Co. who submitted an offer
Of S246OO. and for the electrical work.
Walker & Kepler. S76SO.
The ten stations for which bids were
opened today are to be located at 1856 Ken
sington avenue, 3201 -O3-O5 Kensington ave.
X he ,f
Tioga street and Kensngton avenue the
northwest and the southeast corners of
Torresdale and Kensington avenues, 427O-72
Frankford avenue, 4269-71 Frankford ave.
nue. and 1904 and 1879 Frankford avenue
The Northwest Business Mems AssoCia-
ton, through Charles l., Fluck. president,
has notified the Public Service Commission
that II VIII withdraw its opposition to the
granting of certificates Of public convenience
for the various high-speed lines provided
the commission will agree to approve only
such an operating lease as will fix a rate
Of fare sufficient to make the lines self
supporting.
The communication from Mr. Fluck was
received by the commission today just
as the last executive session scheduled un-
I'll September was beginning 1t was at
this session today that Mayor Smith pre-
dicted favorable action upon at least a
part of the pending certificates to permit
the city to proceed with the hgh-speed
construction work.
Early this year Fluck, on behalf OF his
association filed petition with the COM
mission opposing the issuance of any GER
thcates until the operating lease problem
should be solved. The association in the
communication today indicates its willing.
ness TO withdraw entirely its opposition pro-
vided, Flucks communication reads the
commission incorporates in its grant of such
certificates a declaration that, in view of
the vast annual deficit which will result
from any plan OF operation OF the lines II
constructed as contemplated, it will approve
only such operating agreement for the paid
lines as will provide a rate or rates of fare
sufficient TO produce revenue to make said
lines self-supporting and at the same time
pay the interest and sinking fund charges
on whatever funds the taxpayers may ad-
vance for the construction (and possible
equipmenO Of the lines.
TO SAFEGUARD TAXPAYERS
1T is our belief that only in this way
can the taxpayers be safeguarded and the
basis of a satisfactory operating agreement
Of the lines be laid.
81 wish to call to your attention in this
connection, that the taxpayers and voters
Of Philadelphia were assured that the pro-
posed lines would be self-Supporting, and
that the loan bills. which they were asked
to approve for construction Of the lines,
would not raise the tax rate.
The subject Of the conference held late
yesterday between the Mayor and Thomas
f.. Mitten, president OF the Philadelphia
Rapid Transit Company. is causing consid-
cradle speculation in transit circles today.
During the time he was conducting the fight
for the Salus bill and Immediately follow
ing the defeat of that measure, the Mayor
gave every indication that lease negotia-
tions between the city and the company
were ended For that reason transit follow
ers find 1t difficult to understand just what
the Mayor and Mr.. Mtten should be dis
cussing at this time.
William Draper Lewis, legal transit ad-
wiser OF the city, called at the Mayors
Office this morning TO discuss the situation
with the Mayor. Finding that the latter
was not expected at his office until this
afternoon Mr.. Lewis departed but left a
note saying that he would return late this
afternoon