Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-30
QUICK P. R. 7. RELIEF.
limited At HEARING
Part OF Transit Inventory Filed
With Public Service Board
by Company Today
MAYOR EXPLAINS STAND

rapid transit 20. nat nVe-Cen rare |
plan for temporary financial relief was
seen today at continued hearing in |
City Hall.
As counsel for the ?. r. T. presented |
an inventory covering the company's |
electric generating and wiring systems, |
Public Service Commissioners Benn and |
Clement were asked by the companys |
counsel to hurry the proceedings as rap
idly as possible.
mo permanent relief can be given |
the p. r. T." Mr.. Clement replied. !
until the valuation is complete, but
1t must be understood that this will
not interfere with the company getting
temporary relief through the proper au-
thority."
Many bulky documents, an inventory
of the company's electric system. were
offered to the commissioners who sat
in Room 443, City Hall.
Basis Of Fare Plea
Coleman J. Joyce represented the r.
r.. T., while City Solicitor Smyth was
present for the city. Filing of the in
ventory figures Is first step toward
an appraisal of the transit system. The
figures, when completed. are to be the
basis Of the company's request for in
creased revenue.
G. Oscar Beasley. representing tho
United Business Mems Association and
the Cliveden Improvement Association,
renewed his efforts to have the i'm
provement association made n party TO
the inquiry requested by the city.
Commissioner Clement told Mr.. Beas-
ley that the business associations were
not parties Of record and could not be
considered parties until their petitions
for intervention were passed upon by
the city and the T.. r. T.
but meanwhile" said Commissioner
Clement, ''you may ask questions"
Tits Are Frequent
Frequent tlts between the attorneys
for the city and the T. II. L. marked
today's hearing. Samuel Roscnbaum.
representing the city solicitors office,
repeatedly objected to Mr.. Joyce's long
drawn out methods. He said much time
could be saved IL the witnesses were
asked a few pertinent questions about
exhibits and then dismissed
Much time was being wasted. Mr..
Rosenbaum objected, in learning the
size of screws, poles and other minor
details.
At one point the city's attorney
asked that it so on the record that the
city was eager to have the company
complete it's valuation as rapidly as
possible. He intimated that the COM
pany's dilatory methods were deliberate
in order that the valuation should be
held off until after Council considered
the company's proposal for straight
five cent fare.
In spite of Mr.. Rosenbaum's objec.
tions, the p. r. T. attorney continued
his slow progress, which he said was
the regular and orderly way of pre-
senting the evidence"
Joyce Told to Hasten
Finally. Commissioners Clement and
-- Benn interrupted and demanded that
Mr.. Joyce hasten in presenting his ma
terial.
From then on Mr.. Joyce submitted
his exhibits rapidly, and said he would
have all the inventory ready by next
Monday
Mr.. Rosenbaum said that the city eX
perts would be ready to go ahead and
check up on the inventory as soon as it
was submitted in final shape.
The T. r. T. attorney informed the
the commissioners that the company was
ready at all times TO have the city
check up on the inventory as 1t was
presented But the city wishes to econ
omize and does not desire to eXpend
from 5000 to $500 n day for engineers
until the completed inventory is ready,
Mr.. Rosenbaum replied.
4. e. Hibncr, i. r. T. electrical
engineer. was the first witness today.
He replied to many questions nf detail,
asked by Mr.. Joyce. Finally. the city :
attorney grew wpnry of the tedious
method and addressing the commission
crs in order to present a point, said
apolog"tically, "1m sorry to tax the
patience of your honors. ! know it
must be nexhaustible.
The T. r. Y. began the announce
mant Of its inventory az a hearing last
Thursday before Commissioners Clement
and Benn. Al that time the city was
directed TO appoint experts to check up
the claims made bv tho r r II. An
appropriation Of $50. 600. was made for
these experts several weeks ago, but
they have not yet been selected.
No Need for Hurry
II was announced Yesterday at City
Hall that there was ample time to So e
lcct the experts. as the presentation
OF the company inventory would r".
aure many sessions before the com.
mission.
Alba B. Johnson, president ~ thu
Chamber Of Commerce. called on Mayor
Moore yesterday to learn the Mayors
views regarding a straight five cent
fare. Mr.. Johnson informed tho Mayor
that the Chamber of Commerce hat
approved the Mittrn plan for a five
cent fare without transfers or cx,
changes.
After the visit Of Mr.. Johnson. III,
Mayor issued tho following statement
Because of suggestions made to me
By Mr.. Johnson with regard to the
Mayors attitude on transit questions
| desire to say that tho statement made
before Council on Monday last set,
forth the Mayor position with respoc,
10 the pending ordinance in which Mr.
Mtten asks f6r straight fare anc
the abolition Of free transfers and cy.
changes. 1t is evident that the paSSag'
of this ordinance means that ia som,
instances exchanges and free transfer
being abolished, car riders in outlyin.
districts will have to pay a higher rat
OF fare over rates now taken by them
Question for Council
'The Mayor thinks this question 4
one for the Council 10 determine, anC
SO stated in his address ~ Monday last
The Mayor IL not the manager Of th
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co and vii
not assume the burdens of the man
sgement; but 1t has been represented
10 him as a member of tho Board o
Directors that THE Rapid Transit Co
cannot continue after December mex
without a receivership unless II obtain
financial relief
"As to a declaration from this ofic
on the Mitten proposition, the Mayo
kays il is not within his province I
.kak ie h. 49,