Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-04
KICKS GO
VICE BOARD
ut Philadelphia Bust
- Man Will Carry Pro-
test to Harrisburg
J S1lITTEN PROMISES FAIL

~ lAst few wssi<s---each days schsd
~ sesningiy like thoss operated Of
~ y'bsatiess' Mendays--has 10 arouse'
7hiIadeiphians that they are planning
70 carry their protests TO tho PublI
4 Gervicc Commission.
No better service has been offered th,
city since Prssidept Mittep promised Il
add sso unrepaired cars to variousi sec
tions. II the cars have been added
Phiiadelphlans would like to know
whers. fs
Surely they have not been placed in
West Philadelphia, where the service &c
the war plants at Chester, EddyStonc
and HOG island Is said 10 be disgrace
by business men Of that section. II j,
these Indignant Phiiadslphinns who plar
to carry the fight TO the capital. Al.
ready they have appointed c. Oscar
Bsasley. Of Oyerbrook. to be the spokes-
man.
'sr'he whole service has collapsed.
said Mr.. Bsasley. "and we viii mar
shai witnesses who will tell their
stories to the commission and prcsen,
facts, figuree md experiences to show
that the whole service is handled In
one-horse manner. We will also asl,
why the s2.625.2l4 renewal fund has
not been spent"
CITY rs IMPoTENT
Transit Director Twining admitted
that the present trolley service was
bad and that protests and complaints
had been brought to his attention, and
also TO the transit company officials
direct.
But the city has no Jurisdiction 81
he continued. over the operating plan
and management Of the transit COM
pany's lines. And do not really feel
as II the present breakdown can be
imputed TO any carelessness or in
efficisncy on the part Of the officials.
The renewal fund to which Mr.,
Beasley calls attention was primarily
for the purchase Of rolling stock and
rails when tho present cars and tracks
became useless and worn out, II do
not think II was to deal" he con-
tinued, with any such situation as
the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Com
pany finds itself confronted with at
the present time. ! know, Of course
II hasn't spent much money during
the last year. but ! understand that Is
because OF the difficulty in obtaining &
armatures, wheels and other necessl.
ties Tor car-repair work
tMichael J. Ryan. the resident member
Of the Public Service Commission, said
that he did not recall the number of
protests which had been registered In
regard TO the present trolley service
He said that matter would have to be-
laid before the secretary and take the
proper official channels before reaching
the commission. lie added:
1T strikes me that there has been
a dearth OF compiaints from Philadel-
complain very much apparently. they
seem to endure anything"
But Il seemed yesterday from the re-
ports that came from every section Of
tho city that the last straw had broken
the camel's back. The little curbstone
indignation meetings had certainly
passed from passive disgust Into open
rcprtsais on the transit company. az
reported by the ysnotormsn, conductors
and pedestrians.
yANK rRoLLEYs FROM WIRES .
In many cases irate passengers, wait.
ing In the snow for cars. saw the troll
leys fash past them without even hesi-
tating, When several Of the troileys
had acted IN this manner the pedestrians
decided the next ono would not get
away. A. result they hauled Off the
trolley poies. bringing the cars to stop
and then informed the motorman that
IL he didn't let them aboard they would
proceed to pull his car down around his
eare In two cases, at least. q motor
man and conductor were beaten,
1 In connection with poor service many
% the passengers complained OF tho
m n ha,
we're working. Edward A. Noppei, presi-
dent OF the United Business Mems As
soctation. cited several cases which came
under his personal observation in the
central section.
Accused Of having thrown bricl;
through trolley car window yesterday
afternoon. Anton Messer. $50 West
Dauphtn street. was arrested Messer
said that he had been waiting on the
corner Of sixth and Dauphin streets for
a ear for over half hour. II was
then. he said. he decided to huri the
missile 70 force tho motorman to stop
the car. In throwing the brick he slipped
Or the tey street and fell against the
head.
The executive committee of the six-
tieth and Market Streets Business Mems
Aesociatiop announced that Il has de.
clAed 10 place It's grievances before
Copnciis.
G. Folk Klein. president of the asso-
ciaticn, stated that more than $4,000
commuters were compelled to use the
croastewn cars daily at the intersection
Of Sixtisth and Market streets.
Conditions at Fifty-second and Market
atreets ere equally poor This Is another
important transfer point, and commuters
stste that the same situation obtains
Iheye,
Ira D, aarmsn, chairman Of the West
Philadelphia Councilmanic Association
and member Of the Finance COMMITTEES
of coupcils, has been asked 70 take up
ne protest IN Councils. MIR, Klein said
that all ccuucitmen Of West Philadel-
phia were with the association In ia
rfforts to obtain trolley service.