Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-15
R0TESTS ON P. R. 7.
CAR SERVICE GROW
lore Business Mems Associa-
tions Complain to State
Commission
NAVY OFFICIALS RETURN
Mitten Defends Company, Laying
Blame Largely on Bad
Weather Conditions

" Complaints OF the North Philadelphia
1NG Overlook Business Mems Associa-
lions against inadequate service OF the
philadelphia Rapid Transit Company
will be forwarded to the state Public
0efvice Commission at Harrisburg this
afternoon, according TO a statement by
G. Oscar Beasley. special attorney in
transit matters for the United Business
Mems Association. who ls cooperating
with all the business mems associations
that are interested in the better trolleys
Gsht
Beasley has already forwarded the
United Business Mems Associations
oomplatnt TO the commission. When the
two that go this afternoon reach Har-
rfsburg there will be before the commits
sion no less than five pleas for improved
service, the South SlStieth street Asso-
citation and City Solicitor Connolly on be-
half of the city having already filed pro-
tests against the poor service.
The r. r. r. service TO and from the
Philadelphia Navy Yard was markedly
improved two days before the arrival
Of United States Navy Department Of
0cials. Business mems association mem
bers, who attribute the Improvement to
the cpmpany's fear OF drastic action by
the Navy Department. say there has
been some Improvement in the service
elsewhere In the city and are free to
say that the protests to the State Public
Service Commission are responsible for
the Improvement.
This was vigorously denied today by
president Thomas T.. Mtten. Of the p.
= r. Company.
admiral Peoples. who came 20 look
into the situation for the Navy TTpart-
ment, accepted our statement that the
bad weather was In a measure respon-
sible for the poor service" said Mr.
Mitten. II think the business men
ought to accept what the navy has ac-
cepted. We do not contend that the
weather was wholly responsible, but II
was largely responsible. and the I'm
provement of the service Is due TO The
moderating weather. We have not been
neglecting our business and fear Of the
Public Service Commission ia not the
cause of the betterment OF the service.
M 'Arte visit OF the navy officials has
resulted in Just what / had hoped IL
would result in--Government assistance
for the company In getting the much
needed car repair materials for the com
many. The arsenal workers committee
will also urge the Government to help
US obtain these materials, and when
they are obtained the trolley problem
will be solved"
Admiral Peoples and the other mem
bers of the Navy Departments commits
sion--Louis McHenry Howe. assistant
to the Assistant Secretary Of the Navy,
and Pickens Neagle. assistant councillor
Of the Navy Department--went back to
Washington last night. well satisfied
with the results of their trip to Phila-
delphia.
A Chestnut street car bound for the
ferries jumped the track between Fifth
and Sixth streets at 10 o'clock this
morning, tying up trolley traffic on the
street for short time. The crew, aided
by crews of blocked cars in the rear,
pried the car back TO the rails and
ended the blockade.
Service on Routes 75 and SO to and
from the Frankford A>senal was re.
stored to normal by thoNP. r. T. Com
pany today, accordingly a statement
by the company. Menfat the arsenal
said the service was materially inn
proved.
The company said the full rush-hour
service was supplied today and out
side of rush hours the regular schedule
was maintained. The regular and rush
hour schedules would be continued, the
company said.