Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-26
CITY TO PUSH FIGHT
ONFARE RISE TOEND
Smyth Plans Further Legal Ac-
ton IT p. R. T. Is Granted
Increase Effective July I
NEW TICKETS BEING PRINTED

Should the Public Service Comm;ss;or
Transit Co. may establish its tbroc cont
exchange ticket plan July 1. the citv
will take other legal steps to prevent Tho
increase in fares, taking effect on that
date.
City Solicitor Smyth said today there
were two other actions which NAV be
taken by the city. One of these, he
said. would be suit in equity to re-
strain the company from putting the
plan into effect, and the other is a legal
step which he would not disclose.
Mr.. Smyth spent considerable time
studying the acts pertaining TO rate in
creases generally and made this comment
on the completion of the task:
1.-THE only phase of the question Ia
be argued before the commission n,
Harrisburg on Monday" he said. '"is
whether the proposed increase can &c
into effect before the commission has
given decision on the question. Incl
dentally, this Is the first time that this
phase of question dealing with increased
rates for public service has been brought
before the commission.
There are many angles to the cues
tion,' he added "and that Is why we
cannot say just now what legal route
we will take If the commission decides
against the city"
Several phases of the entire transit
situation will be argued before the
commission Monday should the body be
willing to hear them at that time.
The city will present argument on
Its petition that the higher fare rate be
suspended until the commission makes a
decision on it's legality and the Phila
delphia Rapid Transit Co. makes argu
ment on its contention that the Public
Service Commission has no jurisdiction
in the matter.
Business Men to File Brief
In addition to these. G. Oscar Beas
ley, counsel for the United Busines,
Mems Association will file brief with
the commission asking for the dismis
sal Of the demurrer entered by the Unior
Traction Co., principal subsidiary oi
the Rapid Transit Co.
Mr.. Beasley said today he will argue
that the Public Service Commission ha,
power to reduce the rentals paid the
underlying companies. He asserted
that of S13, $50 900 net revenue earned
by the company, SS.000,0 900 is paid il
rentals to the subsidiaries. No servic,
Is rendered the public by the underlyin,
companies for that large sum, Mr.
Beasley asserted.
The Rapid Transit Co. today ordered
the preparation Of plates from which
new exchange tickets will be printed fo
all seventy two routes in the city.
The three cent tickets, company of
fcials say, can be turned out in larg
quantities on few hours notice. Th
work will begin as soon as the Publi
Service Commission gives it decision.
Company officials are determining tn
hour when the last free transfers. shal
be issued. 1t is understood the slip
will be given out up to midnight o
June 80.
Reports circulated here today wer
to the effect that all transit plans i
future will be submitted to Il. I
Stotesbury. chairman of the company
board of directors, before action is take
on such plans.
Mr.. Stotesbury objected to tn
Mitten mo transfer" plan, estimate
to yield So, 900 900 additional revenue
His objection. it is said, was based o
desire to obtain even greater revenue
A fiat seven cent fare was said to b
Mr.. Stotesbury's alternative.
Hold Rise Can't Be Suspended
The Public Service Commission ha