Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-19
CRISIS EXPECTED
ATP.R. 7. MEETING
Mitten Stotesbury Financial
Differences Are Likely to Be
Adjusted at Session
BOARD TO MAKE REPORT

Directors Of the Philadelphia Rapid
Transit Co. will meet Monday after
noon in the Land Title Building with
prospect of facing crisis in the man
agement Of the corporations affairs.
Adjustment of the differences in fnan
cial policy developed from the diverg-
ing views championcd by Thomas u.
Mitten, president. and Edward Il.
Stotesbury, executive chairman, is one
of the most serious problems calling for
action by the board of directors.
The executive board Is scheduled to
present a report on this subject, which
was referred to its consideration when
the directors themselves failed to reach
a common ground for agreement last
Monday.
This report will have an important
bearing upon the status Of the petition
filed with the Public Service Commits
sion Mag 20 by Mr.. Mitten without the
sanction of the directors.
Firm in Opposition
Mr.. Stotesbury and other members of
the board friendly to his views are said
to remain firm in their opposition to the
"Mitten program" holding that aboii-
ton of free transfers throughout the
city and Of exchange tickets in the de-
livery district Is insufficient to provide
necessary additional revenue for opera
tion Of existing lines and projected ex :
! tensions. Mr.. Stotesbury contends
higher straight fare is the only solution
| for the company's financial stringency:
Mr.. Mitten and his supporters hold
that alteration in the basic rate OF fare
would place the company in bad IN
its relations with the city under the
terms of the 1907 contract, and would
be fatal to its contentious in the pend J.
| -, J. h,
defend before the commissioners june
2S, when argument will be heard on the
city's protest against higher fares ano
the United Business Mems Association
petition involving the underlying com
panies.
Approval Anticipated
Approval of the "Mitten program
by the executive board is anticipated a:
the only way out of nasty mess. ,
Unfavorable report. it Is pointed out
il indorsed by the directors as body
would nullify the application for trans
fer abolition and create an Impossible
situation between the directors ant
officers of the company.
Appointment of arbitrators to brinj
about a compromise between the Mitter
aud Stotesbury factions Is one Of th'
suggested findings of the committee
Such recommendation, however, Is re
gsrded as likely to jeopardize the com
pany's plan for putting the new schedule
in operation by July 1, as sanctioned b!
the board, would have to await appoint
ment and action Of the arbitrators.
In the meantime, business associa
tions and other interests opposed to tn
J "Mitten program" are gaining conf
dence in their antagonism to any plal
to increase trolley fares or lessen stree
! railway facilities. David j. Smyth
with Joseph G.. Magee, Ernest Lowen
grund and Samuel Rosenbaum, his as
sistants, are going ahead with prepara
ton Of their brief in behalf of the cit.
against the Mitten application.
Harrisburg. Pa, June 10. Th
formal complaint of the city of Phila
, delphia against the proposed changes II
fare regulations of the Philadelphia
Rapid Transit Co, was filed with th
Public Service Commission today. Th
complaint is lengthy and in accordance
with the rules of the commission vii
be forwarded to the company for an
swer.