Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-08-17
Mayor Hats Work
on Chestnut Street
Continued from Page One

Continued from Page One
is therefore, helpful and may lead ulti .
mately to passage OF an ordinance that
will be fair to the city as well as 10
those seeking privileges.
J. II. Guckes, Of counsel for the
Western Union. and Il. =. Totman,
plant superintendent in charge OF the
conduit construction, called at the
Mayors Office this afternoon for further
information. The Mayor with other
city officials, had gone to the Delaware
River waterfrony for an inspection
tour.
Mr.. Guckes talked to newspapermen
about the agreement mentioned by the
Mayor. He intimated he would like to
know where the agreement has been
since August 4.
"The ordinance required an agree
ment to be signed by the telegraph com
pany and approved by the City Solici-
tor" said Mr.. Guckes, whereby the
telegraph company obligated itself to
carry out the different provisions OF the
ordinance. The City Solicitor drew
up such an agreement which was signed
by the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany and deposited with the City
Solicitor on August 4. The permit
also was requested on August 4 but was
held up until August ..
''The ordinance provides for pay
ments to be prescribed under future
legislation. We do not have a perpet
ual franchise. for the ordinance plainly
states that If the space IL ever re-
quircd for municipal purposes. the com
pany must move the conduits at its own
expense"
Says Work Must Stop
Mr.. Totman said he has just re.
ceived word that the wor k must stop.
I'VE will comply with the Mayor :
order" he said, ''and fill in th'
trenches and pave the streets as sool
az possible. We already have notified
our attorneys.
Councilman Hall said he did not TAXI
the Mayors action seriously.
Council Is not concerned about this
as it Is a matter for the company tc
take up" he said These business
men want litigation and suppose the!
will get II. The result will be that th'
work will not be finished until we are
we'll on in the busy season. 1t Is ar
attempt on the part Of the Mayor to ge
som4 more cheap notoriety. That
what might be expected from him. Onl!
the other day he inspected a little mor'
than a mile Of Frankford II merel!
to get his picture in the papers.
Commenting on the Mayors state
ment that he might not sign the agree
ment. Hall said:
doesn't the poor boob know tina
he's only the administrative officer o.
the city and has to do what the legisla
tive body directs? II he doesn't thinl
SO, let him look up the supreme l,Our'
decisions in the case of Chelten Trus
Company VS.. Blankenburg, where the
Chief Executive Of the city in that cas'
refused to sign bond indemnifying GER
tain property owners against damages
Mr.. Hall. Attorney. Speaks
"The Supreme Court decided in tha
case that the Mayor had to carry ou
such legislation as was passed by Coun'
ell. The Mayor sent that fool bill o
his up TO Council and asked US to pass
IT.
'It never will pass so long as Coun
Gil is in its present frame of mind.
"The Mayors bill provides 70
charges of seventy cents q foot TO
privileges either on Market street or il
Manayunk. Ridiculous. isn't it?
announced before Council adjourned TO
the SUMNER that | would introduce
bill this fall fixing charges for va
rious underground and overhead priv
ilcges. and shall ask Council to pass It
"Why. the Mayor talks about givin
away the. city streets. Examine his bi
and you will find that public utilit
companies are exempt from oil charges
Yet he talks about giving away cit