Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-19
ROWIS AFTERMATH
OF TRANSIT HEARING
George T. Sale and Frankford,
Taoony and HoImesburg Co.'s
Officials WrangIe in Corridor
THEY ARE "sHoOED" AWAY

A row in n City Hall corridor. out :
side Councils finance committee room.
where the Public Service Commission
was sitting, came as a climax this aft :
ernoon to pungent criticisms OF the
Frankford. Tacony and Holmesburg
Street Railway Co.
| The principal witness against the
company was George T. Sale. recently
center of a controversy with other mem :
bers OF the old city market commission
over 10 per cent stores.
When Mr.. Sale left the hearing room
| his testimony was questioned by off =
| cisls of the company and q war of
words followed. The noise disturbed
| Public Service Commissioners Clement
and Benn, and the latter ordered the
corridor to be cleared.
The dsputants were 'shooed" away
by Harry T. Wittig, sergeant at arms
Of the Council.
Hits Company Management
In his testimony before the commits
sioners Mr.. Sale charged that the COM
pany management is worse now than
ever before He said it still maintains
single track although q double track
is needed.
He added that company officials have
laid out golf course iE back of their
car barn and have equipped gym
nasium. Mr.. Sale said he questioned the
propriety of those steps when better
service was needed for car riders.
The remedy, he continued, was either
to have funds for improvements raised
by popular subscription in the sections
served by the company or to have the
Rapid Transit Co. build extensions on
Melrose anG Tacony streets.
Commissioner Clement suggested that
the commissions engineer consult with
officers of the Holmesburg company, the
Rapid Transit Co. and the complain
ants and report the results of the coli
ference two weeks from today.
In an attempted rehuttal of the COM
plant brought by Frederick L. G. Meis-
nerr against the Holmesburg compa ny .
William Mills, the company's president,
said it had made a net operating gain
loss of s35 900 because of taxes and
other expenses.
Now Buys Its Power
As an economy measure, he said. the
company last October closed its power
house and began buying its power from
the Philadelphia Electric Co.
General Manager Gibson, of the troll
ley company. revealed himself as an
official not afraid to handle pick and
shovel when storm ties up his lines.
He said he not only helped clear the
track of ice and snow, but also ran a
car, as the operating force was de-
pleted by illness.
An unusual complaint against the
Rapid Transit Co. was made when the
commissioners took up the complaint of
the Cliveden Improvement Association.
The association previously had stated |
TO the commission that the Rapid Tran
sit Co. would provide universal free
on a FIVE fare and could |
spend 81 900 900 year on extensions |
without impairing the company's rev.
,nues.
No Analysis of Finances
But at the hearing today no analysis |
Of the company's finances or plans ma
Moreland avenue, Chestnut Hill, the |
first witness, maintained
hat the trolley service to Chestnut Hill
was very poor.
The unusutl complaint came when
lie told of young woman riding in a
1helten avenue car who was unable to
cave her seat because defective wiring
lad charged the seat with electricity
ind held her fast The motorman had
o pull the pole from the wire, he said,
'efore she could be released.
Other Complaints Heard
Complaints against the Rapid Transit
%. s Fox Chase and Olney lines were
made by Jennie A. Greenwood. 1856
North Franklin street: David Dugan,
80 East Tabor road and James Burk-
lart, 202 Fishers avenue.
Dugan, former president of the Olney
Improvement Association. said the only
way to improve service on the Olney
inc was to provide more cars.
Burkhart, who now heads the asso-
iatiop, said at 10 20 o'clock this morn
ng when he tried to get car at Fifth
treet AMI Olney avenue nine cars were
tailed at that point. He laid the blame
N the. facilities there for transferring
ars.