Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-20
mayor DENIES DEAL.
| FOR HIGHER FARES
Declares There's Misapprehen-
!, sion Regarding Agreements
; With President Of p. R.T.
CITY GAINS SIGNAL VICTORY

Mayor Moore, in his latest statement
on transit, denies he and Thomas T..
Mitten. head Of the Philadelphia Rapid
Transit Co. have entered into any
ideal" for higher fares.
The Mayor admits fares cannot be
raised with the city's consent alone, be-
cause the Public Service Commission is
the supreme authority in rate firing for
public utilities.
The Mayor was somewhat aroused by
general Impression. received from his
recent statements. that he was prepared
to grant the p. r. r. n fare increase,
through new agreement modifying the
agreement Of 1907.
Mayor Dictates Statement
He dictated this statement:
There Is nothing 10 say from the
Mayors office about transit matters. OK
cept that there seems To BE- a misappre
hensiou as to agreements between the
Mayor and Mr.. Mtten. The Mayor Is
not making any agreements without the
public knowing Of item. The Mayor
hopes the Rapid Transit management
may succeed in ITS financial plans and
that II NAV be able 70 give an improved
service. He has not advocated an in
crease of fares. but has stated that il
looked to him a. If tho Rapid Transit
Co. would have to obtain increased rev
enue, either by n reduction Of rentals
to the underlying companies or the only
other alternativc-ar increase of farH8
which would be a matter entirely for the
Public Service Commission.
"As to legal phases of the question.
the Mayor is relying upon the city so
licitor, who has been requested to safe
guard the interests of the city before the
Public Service Commission and other.
wise.
Oppose Tariff Withdrawal
Mayor Moore and City Solicitor
smyth are, being urged to protest the
withdrawal from the Public Service
Commission Of the higher fare tariff by
the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co. at
this time. Certain city officials are en-
deavoring to have the city refuse to con
sent to the Abandonment OF the proceed
ings because the cessation Of those pro
ceedings might result in the loss of the
appraisal of the entire transit system. |
which already has been ordered by the .
commission and which is virtually COM
pleted at present.
be based on a fair return on the value |
of the property of the =. r. T., the Of |
ficials say, and inasmuCh as the city al |
ready has appropriated $50 900 for the !
express purpose of employing experts to |
check up the figures that the p. r. T. |
would resent. the stage is set for the |
valuation proceedings. The officials .
are fearful lest the company present
smother higher fare tariff and endcavor
to have it approved without basing it on
the valuation.
The city had gained a signal victory
In having the commission order the
valuation. the first that has been made
In the history Of local transit, and the
officials point out that the abandonment
OF the present proceedings before the
commission might necessitate the wag-
Ing OF that battle over again. The city,
in opposing the +. X. T. no transfer.
higher fare plan, took the position that
the valuation would not attain figure
high enough to justify the present fixed
charges, and the officials favoring the
nght against the withdrawal of the
higher-fare plan adhere to that belief.
Mr.. Mitten Out Of Town
Mr.. Smyth said he did not care TO
state whether, in view of the with
drawal of the petition for increased
fares, the city would intervene in the
petition brought by associations Of bust
ness men before the Public Service Com.
mission, to have the rentals of the uu-
DERIVING companies reduced.
Much, he said. would depend upon
the action taken by the Public Service
Commission upon the p. r. T. petition.
The commission may refuse to permit
the withdrawal of the petition. in which
case the city will be obliged to 90 ahead
with its protest against the Increases
asked. In such a case the city probably
would not consider the question Of
joining in the petition of the business
men.
Opinion among lawyers appears to
De that the commission will consent to
The withdrawal of the petition. but will ,
continue its request for figures showing
he valuation of the +. X. r.
Mr.. Mitten, p. r. T. "chief." who
eft yesterday for Boston from where. ',
L was said at his office. he will board ,,
lis yacht for "A cruise. is not expected ,,
% return to Philadelphia until peyt ,,
Thursday. During his absence. it was :
said, Mr.. Mitten will be absolutely out ,,
Of touch with the situation here. his
yacht not being provided with wireless.