Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-15
SAMSON ST. PLAN
MEETS APPROVAL
CounciImen Discuss Ordinance
ats Joint Committee
Meeting
THREE PERSONS OPPOSE

THREE PERSONS OPPOSE
The ordinance for the connection of
the Curtis Building and the proposed
Iiihlic Ledger Building by tunnel and
bridge in SAMSON street between Sixth
and Seventh. came up for hearing
Yesterday before the Joint Committees
of Finance and Surveys of Councils. in
provides for n technical vacation of
Samson street, but is explicit in Its pro-
visions that the street shall be for
eyer open to all pedestrian and vehicu-
lar traffic.
Many of the councilmen expressed
themselves as favoring the measure.
Three citizens appeared to speak in OPP
position. all of them taking the stand
that traffic through SAMSON street to
fered with. Frank II. Donahue. coun-
sci for the publishing companies. again
explained traffic would not be impcded
in the least.
William Il. Finley, select council
man from the Thirty ninth ward, in
roicing hi@ approval of the ordinance,
said that the development of large in
dustrial plants should be encouraged:
The only arguments we have heard
here from the opponents. of the ordi-
nance have been historical and an
cient," Mr.. Finley continued. 81 live
in a community of 10000 persons whom
1 represent. and l have not heard one
word of objection from them on the
SAMSON street matter. The Public
Ledger Company and the Curtis Pub
e. fishing Company employ great num-
her Of people and they treat their en-
ployes well.
Now it is nothing to me whatever
what the Public Ledger wants. The
Public Ledger knocks my ears off every
once in a while. but I believe in en-
couraging big companies. When the
Baldwin Locomotive Works wanted six
whole blocks l voted to give them be
cause Baldwins employ great many
men, The same with Brill's when they
wanted some ground. l cannot see any
objection"
Amended Ordinance
The ordinance was presented in an
amended form. At the outset of the
hearing some discussion arose because
the typewritten copy from which the
clerk of the finance committee, Arthur
r. H. Morrow, was reading differed
from the mimeographed copies in the
hands of the members. Mr.. Donahuc
explained the two ordinances were Sub
stantially the same, but that at the
suggestion of ]. Harvey Gillingham. in
been strengthened to make more ex
plicit the guarantees to the city.
Then in answer to questions raised
by Charles Seger, Select Councilman
from the Seventh Ward. and Henry
Trainer, Select Councilman from the
Third Ward, Mr.. Donabue made clear
why the publishing companies desire the
street to be technically stricken from the
city plan. He said that the only way
the publishing companies could insure
the consummation of their project in
the erection of the $4,000, 600 PUBLIC
LEDGER Building was to have that
course pursued. A simple ordinance
passed by one session of Councils grant
ing the necessary means of communica-
tion by bridge and tunnel might be
upset by a succeeding Council, he said.
In the ordinance us presented it is
specifically set forth that the control
of the street remains in the hands of
the city. That, Mr.. Donahue ex-
planned, had been done to meet objec-
tions by opponents that the city would
have no control.
'The proposition is big enough to
warrant what 1 ask" Mr.. Donahue
continued. "The ingress and egress to
and from Independence Square through
SAMSON street is preserved. The city
shall have full police and fire protection.
The objections come down to a mere
use Of words in view of the magnificent
undertaking"
"But we don't want to be put In the
position in which the objectors have
placed us--the objectors who think we
want to wall up the street. l believe
the classes in the ordinance fully meet
your objections"
Joseph P. Gaffney. chairman of Coun-
cils' finance committee, who presided,
with Robert r. Lamberton, chairman of
the surveys, committee, suggested that
contract might be drawn up. He said
precedent has been established in the
case of railroads in South Philadelphia
where in consideration of certain grade
crossings having been eliminated certain
rights were granted in perpetuity of the
city.
To this Mr.. Donahue made objection
from the legal viewpoint.
VIII Not Resemble Tunnel
Answering question then raised by
William McCoach, select councilman
from the Thirtieth Ward, Mr.. Donahue
said that SAMSON street between Sixth
and Seventh streets would net resemble
tunnel, that this would se wholly in
advisable because both buildings would
need light and air.
Isaac d. Hetzell select councilman
from the Eighteenth Ward, discussing
thesSclause which would provide q
foli teen foot head room for vehicles
below the proposed bridges, corrected
an impression that this would not BIZ
sufficient. Later this same clause was
debated and several councilmen declared
the head room sufficient. Mr.. Donahut
said that fourteen feet had been selected
because that is the height of the New
York elevated. The same height prevails