Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-22
MAYOR FIRES FIRST
F|VE-CENT-FARE GUN
Campaign for City Operation Of
Frankford -" Launched Be-
fore Business Men
MITTEN IS MOORE TARGET

a straight fve-cent fare was advo-
Gated by Mayor Moore last night in an
address on the transit situation before
the Business Mems and Taxpayers AS
ISOLATION of Frankford in the Free Ii
brary. The meeting was largely at
tended and was the first Of a series Of
talks the Mayor will give on the present
controversy.
The Mayor attacked Thomas r. Nit.
ten, president of the Philadelphia
Rapid Transit Company. and the mem.
bers Of City Council who have blocked
his plans to have the city operate the
Frankford elevated.
II will leave 1t to the $4,000 people
of Frankford," Mr.. Moore said, "to
answer Mitten's 10000 men drawn to
him overnight on promise, whether
you want service or will be eternally
controlled by. one corporation. The
people are more powerful than any
corporation"
After ho had reviewed the entire
transit situation for more than an hour,
a motion was. passed by the association
giving the Mayor vote of confidence.
People have never been more in.
different to their own welfare than they
are today" said the Mayor. ''They
are ready to have anything put over
on them. They are still pouring money
into fake brokers' Offices and then are
unwilling to prosecute the brokers and
Nj yor to tell people things they ought
to know.
"Your Frankford II has been built
without scandal. and want to see that
it is operated without scandal. I have
kept after Director Twining to finish
up every bit Of the II so that cars
may run this summer. The Director
has said that il me T.. II. II. had not
thrown so many stumbling blocks in the
way. we wouldn't have had so much
trouble.
II spent two years trying to get
that brilliant and versatile president.
Mr.. Mitten. to agree to something.
wish him. well. would like to see him
succeed.
II regarded him. as did others. as
almost super.man. That's one of his
troubles. He is capable. but he doesn't
tell everything he knows. Finally I
asked him, Are you going to keep the
agreement or renege? lie won't answer
yes or no. He ought to be able because
Of the revenue brought to other lines.
not to demand that we give him the
property outright, but that he pay us
something on the $I5, 900 900 of the
peoples money invested.
1--WE rather feel we have case
in those proceedings before the
Public Service Commission. on which
p. II. II. must have spent $500, 900. I
do not believe that this high valuation
will be sustained. And we are coming
to the conclusion that =. II. II. can get
along Oh five-cent fare. The seven
cent rate, granted by higher body.
nctted p. Il. II. eight million and odd
dollars in 1921.
"If you will induce Council to pass
the ordinances the Mayor has forwarded
to it. and on which it is dickering, we
to Market. or slightly above Market,
for a nickel. p. II. II. is a private
corporation which has been given
stranglehOld on the city's streets. But
we still have the police power and we
can use II IL We think conditions are too
unjust to the masses.
~ have asked for terminal at
Front and Market streets. II we get
it, we'll say to one man who dictated
everything: You've got to come to
terms" ] have permission to lay cables.
but not carry power over them. I'll
ask that before members Of Council
get back from Florida.
. 1T is up to YOU. the power behind
the councilmanic body. If we get these
things. Wen be in position to die.
tate our own terms. But the cars,
which cost SIT 900 each. can rust un-
less you let Council give me the power
to run them. DO you think I'm going
to spend $l25, 100000 of the City's
money for other lines and give them to
Mitten for nothing? Not on your life,"