Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-22
DON'T WANT CITY
TO RUN TR0LLEyS
United Business Men Oppose
Amendment Enabling PhiIa. to
Acquire Transit Franchises
GUTENBERG FOR MEASURE

Directors of the United Business
Mems Association today attacked a
rroposed amendment to the state con =
.titution. which, they said. might cause
tbe city to inherit the financial ills Of
tbe Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co.
The proposed amendment, passed by
tbc last Legislature, but requiring pas
sage again and then ratification by the
ppople. would allow the city to acquire
nv contract or condemnation the fran
chises now leased by the p. r. T.
At the meeting. held at 1918 Arch
street. the following resolution was
submitted:
"Whereas. An amendment TO the con-
,titution has passed the Legislature OF
1910. proposing to give cities under
legislative authority the right to acquire
BY contract or condemnation the stock
of street railways and of operating COM
panies and,
Whereas. This is contrary to the
settled policy Of the state for over fifty
years. and it is dangerous 10 the pub
liz interests; and. whereas. Said
amendment Is again to be voted on by
the Legislature Of 1921; Therefore, be
Il
,"Rcsolved That we oppose Cor cleo
ton to the Legislature any candidate
who is not opposed to the passage of
this amendment by the incoming Legis-
laturc.'
The fears felt by many members
Of the United Business Mems Associa-
tion regarding the possible effect of the
amendment. If finally incorporated in
the constitution, were not shared by
Frederick r. Gutenberg. director of the
Bureau of Municipal Research.
"rhe amendment probably will be a
protection to the city Mr.. Gutenberg
stated Mt the research bureau office. 'Tt
i pcrmissive not directory. If crisis
should arise this amendment permits the
city to meet the crisis by taking over
the transit lines.
IAN legislation he continued.
(Which makes for home rule and elias
ITCHY in government will enable the
government to meet the storm and strife
that thrrntcns us in the future"
Declaring that the p. r. r. could
operate protitably If the rentals which IL
paid to the underlying companies were
reduced. the transportation committee
OF the United Business Mems Associa-
tion adopted resolutions last night. op-
posing the company's plan for
straight five cent fare.
Representatives of several business
associations contended that approval of
the straight tive-cent fare would simply
mean increasing the benefits now en-
joyed by stockholders of the underlying
companies.
Colonel Sheldon Potter. city director
on the p. r. T. board. told the German
town and Chestnut Hill Improvement
Association last night that the company
had the right to abolish free transfers. !
He said further:
THE =. Il. T. has the sole right to
operat" cars in this city and can run
them on every street IL it desires. I'll
Is now requesting Council for increased
revenue. which will be paid by the peo-
pie, but this revenue will not be used
for the benefit Of the people in the way
Of extensions or new stock. If the |
?. r. T. is going to fail, we must let It |
fail unless it will develop together with |
the city. We must consider the develop
ment of the city first of al"