Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-01

| a.
shin IL necessary.
He opposed the plan suggested by
Samuel IL. Barker, who recently advo-
Gated reorganization of the p. Il. Il.
MIR. Fluck said that such a plan would
not bring about desirable results. The
Barker plan, Mr.. Fluck asserted, would
carry no force with IL and have little or
no effect on the underlying rentals. On
the other hand, IL the lines were run by
the city, such plan would carry force
with IL and the underlying rentals would
be modified, Fluck concluded
A resolution was presented by the
North Philadelphia realty board opN
posing any change in the present rate
until such time as the valuation of the
L. II. L. property and the questions of
the underlying rentals Ia settled. This
resolution was signed by Thomas j.
Miller.
Councilman Won Tagen Is a mem
Der OF this organization, and also a
member OF the transportation committee
OF Council. It was Mr.. Won Tagen
who strongly criticized Mr.. Mitten at
the meeting held last week because the
transit company sent employees of the
company to the last public meeting with
votes taken on the fare question.
Logan Men Back Mitten
Acceptance Of the Mitten plan was
advocated by George G. Uhlrich, chair
man Of the transportation committee of
the Logan Improvement Association.
Mr.. Uhlrich pointed out the financial
situation Of the company and said he
believed that something should be done
to give temporary relief.
II do believe. however," said Mr..
Uhlrich, that Mr.. Mitten should have
presented such plan year ago. Mr..
Mitten says that the company might
be thrown into bankruptcy unless i'm
mediate financial relief Is offered.
Il do not see how this could come
about. but Mr.. Alitten is competent
executive and has brought about results.
l have faith In what he says. I do
believe that this committee, however,
has no jurisdiction in the matter. and
that it ultimately will be up to the
Public Service Commission.
There should be no delay in obtain
ing this necessary revenue for the com
pany."
Straphangers Are Heard
The proceedings were considerably
frightened by the remarks of Silas NJ
Anderson. After his name was called,
Councilman Cox asked Mr.. Anderson
whom he represented. He replied that
he represented nobody.
Then, after a pause, he said. "Oh
yes l do. ! represent the great army of
straphangers.
Mr.. Anderson said he thought it would
be wrong to approve the ive-ccnt fare
plan and he did not see why the city
should step in in an altruistic fashion
and give the company money.
What II the company does go into
bankruptcy" he asked. 1T wouldn't
make any difference. 1t would mean only
change in leterheads. If necessary,
the Union Traction Co. would run the
lines"
Councilman Develin. addressing Mr..
Anderson. said: "One of the arguments
used in favor of the five-cent fare is
that it would prevent a receivership. Is
that sufficient argument in your opinion
to bring about change"
IT do not think So" replied Mr.. An
derson "It is not unusual for compan-
les to 90 into a receivers hands to pro-
'tect its assets"
Mitten's Regime Reviewed
Mr.. Anderson said he thought the
whole question should be settled by the
Public Service Commission.
The declaration that Mr.. Mitten was
working for the financial interests of
the city and not for the citizens or the
employees Of the company was made by
John +. Lewis. of the Clivedcn I'm
provement Association.
Mr.. Lewis gave lengthy review of
the company's condition during the
N1itten management. He cited the
numerous raises in pay which have been
given the men and said that the p. II.
r.. despite these increases had made
enough money to pay all its obligations.
He said the real trouble was caused
bv the exorbitant underlying rentals
He asserted that the men who had for
gone their last increase were more loyal
to the company than the stockholders
of the underlying companies. who re-
fused to recede n step regarding their
rentals.
Mr.. Lewis gave number of figures
which he said showed that the COM
pany could have built the Frankford
elevated as far back as 1906. during
which year the p. r. Il. made So
600 900.
Past Profits Recalled
In the year l0l2, he said, the L.
r. II. made 500. .000. 900 over and aobve
6 per cent return. This money, he
said, would have been sufficient to
build the Frankford 'L." the pro-
posed Darby "L' and the Chestnut
street subway.
Mr.. Lewis said that Mr.. Mitten was
unfair and he said. in seeking to sup
port this contention, that Mr.. Mittcn
proposed a new company last August
under the consolidation plan. He want
ed to unite the underlying companies in
one big company.
And yet, said Mr.. Lewis, Mr.. Nit
ten proposed to pay the Philadelphia
Traction Co. s per cent. as now, and
the same rate to the Union Traction
Co. Mr.. Lewis told of the dividends
which were paid to the underlying COM
panies. He said that I per cent is
the usual annual return on such in
vestmcnts, and that about $1,000, 600
annually should be paid to them instead
of $11 ,000,00 That extra $4,000
600 would make an increase unneces-
sary and also take care of many i'm
provements.
II ask Council to refuse approval of
the proposed increase in fare he said.
Protect us against this. Let the =.
r., T. present its case to the commits
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