Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-09

Transit Co. pending final action by the
! Public Service Commission based upon
valuation Of the property used by the
| i. X. T.. and determination Of the
reascnableness of the charge for
facilities Of the underlying companies,
TO change Of fare or the discon- :
tinuancc of free transfers as in the
judgment of the Public Service Com
mission may seem to best serve the in
tercsts of the citizens of Philadelphia,
and the needs Of the transit company. +"
Would Avoid Mistakes
Mr.. Weglein suggested, after the Hail
resolution had been offered but not read.
that Council hear City Solicitor Smyth' 5
opinion. Mr.. Develin had just an
nounccd that he had an amendment to
offer to his resolution Of yesterday.
After the opinion had been read by
the clerk 1t was decided to read the
stenographic notes taken at the Public
Service hearing, embodying the suggcs-
tion that Council meet and formulate
its views on the fare question for the
commission.
"In view Of the Importance of this
matter" said Mr.. Hall. "and the tact
that we are very often misquoted by
nistake in the ncwSp0pcrS. ! would sug-
take notes Of tho debate. because. SO far
as know. none of the members have
prcnared any set speeches"
Mr.. Wcglein then called for the re-
port OF the transportation committee.
which returned the ordinance without
recommendation.
In his discussion Of the ordinance Mr..
Weglein said:
Council was elected by the people.
and il seems to me that councilmen
should give some concrete expression
on this question:
II have always taken the position
that Council has nothing to do with the
matter" broke in Councilman Roper,
land hold the same opinion today"
Councilman Won Tagen said that the
=. II. Il. had not convinced him that
there was an emergency. ''Thc =. Il.
II. does not say there is deficit now.
but that there will be deficit in De-
cembcr.
Hall Backs Up Smyth
In speaking for his resolution. Coun-
ci'mPn Hall said: The resolution
which ! have offered is in harmony with
the city solicitors opinion. I am glad
the Mayor used his extraordinary power
to call this meeting. If I have time
will offer resolution of thanks, be-
cause this meeting has brought Mr..
Gaffncy and Mr.. Won Tagen together.
1t looks to me as though there has been
passing Of the buck Other com
panies throughout Pennsylvania have
been granted help, but this is the first
time that the Public Service Commission
has sought outside advice. I have
enough faith in the man who selected the
commission to expect that everybody
will get fair treatment"
Mr.. Hall said that he would be will
ing to appear personally before the
Public Service Commission to give his
opinion. He said there was a precedent
for his resolution to refer the whole
matter to the Public Service Commits
sion.
Councilman Horn expressed himself
as opposed to any relief measure.
~ don't believe the +. Il. T. is
in any great danger of bankruptcy" he
said. "Mr. Mitten has admitted that
the deficit would largely be made up of
dividends. i am not in favor Of relief
until we have got rid of the underly-
ing companies. We have asked for this
for eight years; let them wait eight
months or eight years for their relief,
so far rs I'm concerned. There Is no
crying necessity ut this time to change
the fares. Mr.. Mitten made very
able complaint, but the Christmas rush
will take care of any deficit he may
have"
Councilman Roper said the matter
should be given immediate considera-
tion.
Hits at Rentals
Councilman Won Tagen said he OBJ
jected to the wording of the Hall reso-
iution on the score TINT IL suvopstel