Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-03-13
MUST ALL TRANSIT RELIEF
AWAIT THE MAJOR CURE?
Minor Remedies-as, for Instance,
Relocating the City Hall Sc re
Traeks-Would Help A2.
preciably in a Crisis

Tracks-Would Help A..
preciably in Crisis
TT can never be said that Philadelphia
L is unimpressed with the seriousness
of its transit problem.
Experts confer gravely.
Commissions compile voluminous re-
ports.
The Mayors of three administrations
have repeatedly emphasized the magni-
tude of the theme.
| Lawyers dig deep into the complex
ties involving the pyramid of leased lines
and the responsibilities of tn, T. r. T..
toward these subsidiary organizations.
Financiers promise relief only with
the expenditure of millions.
The public, besought TO consider the
solemnity Of the situation, Is urgently
warned against the least disregard of
fundamentals.
In theory this advice is excellent. In
practice. however, it has led us to an
! impassc held to be impcnetrable until
some master mind discovers some master
key to protracted riddle.
Rush hour crowds are, on the whole
we'll trained. Irritation is tempered
with so much awe that suggested meth
ods of temporary or incidental relief are
disdained as trifing. unworthy Of the
battling majesty of transport tribula-
tions. Transit is high tragedy. Expec-
tation is pinned on fifth act apotheo-
sis-a gorgeous scene Of resplCndont and
comprehensivc accomplishment. in which
those who were good shall he happy and
those who were patient rewarded in full.
Some months ago highly sensible
suggestion was made to the effect that
the tracks around the City Hall h" re-
located as means Of easing the trathr
lam. Council has never acted on the
, proposal. II has been equally slow in
acting upon the corollary providing for
/ divcrting some of the west bound Mar
ket street cars out Filbcrt street as far
as the turns north and south on the
n" shaped lines.
The public is so accustomed to view
| ing the transit situation as matter
| which must be revolutionized, root and
/ branch before any changes arc wrought,
! that this legislative delay has scarcely
stirred it. And yet here is an instance
! in which the management of the 7. X.
T. thought clearly and with distinctly
public benefit in mind.
It is true that the vcxatious burden
Of the subsidiary companies will not be
lifted by moving a few tracks and alter
ing few car routes. Doubts still exist
concerning the best ways of financing
the high speed lines. subway and Gle
vated, which alone can modernizc our
transit facilities and adjust them to the
city's prodigious growth. But the re
introduction of Filbert street into our
trolley system. even though it be merely
temporary and pending the production
Of grandiosp terminal impry, CmentS by
the PENNSYLVANIA Railroad, will Ger
tainly reduce some of the congestion on
our main cast and west thoroughfare.
Habit has a lot to do with our re o.
luctance to support innovations in tran
sit which might very we'll ease the strain
during the long wait for redemption day
There are pet conventions cherished
by the p. r. r.. by the politicians, by
the tinanciers, by the lawyers, by the
general public.
Mayor Reyburn spoke out passion
ately as a Philadelphian one day when
he insisted that Broad street be kept
inviOlate for parades Speedy motor
busses would serve such splendid
artery in London. Paris and other me-
tropolises The idea. however, strikes
at the roots Of a dear and carefully nur.
tured prejudice in this vicinity.
prooH IL To nnoVf
this, it is common to cite the defamation
Of an carly bus line. That the Operat
ing company was badly managed, that
its equipment was mcager, that service
was infrcquont, that automobiles worC
then in their infancy are facts inron
sideratpy regarded. Meanwhile Thir-
tepnth and Fifteenth. Twelfth and Six
tenth street trolleys are packed TO suffO
cation. aud Broad strCet-a thorough
fare by no means too dazzlingly beau
fful to be- sullied by "A motor transit
liuo-stil awaits one.
An open mind for mistakes is keen
spur to enterprise. Better by far tC
take a false step or two than {" be in
timidatpd into inaCtion through dread OF
experiments.
Shocking a. the conception Of public
transit service through Paramount Park
might at first blush appear bus line
utilizing the spacious Parkway, with
extensions up Thirty-thtr street ant
over Girard avenue bridge. would serv,
vast residential districts greatly in neeC
Of improved facilities.
The Park trolley outraged precedent
1t was staggering blow TO convention
But our Incompatible recreation ares
survived the impact. and any propose
to abandon tn" system today woulC
evoke storm Of protests.
Affection still lingcr, for the whccz!
and hcSitant stern -WhreIors-thp l'ndin'
D was a queen among thcm-which for
merly piled mp and down tho Schuylkil
between Fairmount dam and Riverside
landing. Thirty years ago they pro
yded pleasant excursion.
Today modern. reasonably fast steam
/ orr would do this aud great deal more
,s The city has in many places grow
comuarrll around the Park, 1t is no
fantastic. to picture Il Schuylkill flee
filing some Of the functions of the Pari
omnibus steamer, which make use Of tn
1 Seine ~ an important thOrOughfare an,
. serve as transit agencies Hs practical
H..