Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-21
ONE-MAN TROLLEyS
SAFE, SAYS M|TTEN
Points to 20 Per Cent Reduce
ton in Accidents on Regu-
lar Type Lines
WEGLEIN PUSHES LOOP PLAN

The Frankford elevated line has not
met the financial expectations OF the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company
up go the present time and the COM
rany's burdens are further Increased
by demands of northeastern residents
for continuance Of the surface lines. ac-
cording to Thomas L. Mitten. the pres
ldent.
Despite agitation against the one
man car. Mr.. Mitten said this type OF
vehicle had reduced accidents 20 per
cent on lines where two man trolleys
were formerly operated. ard also per-
mittpd the company to effect very nee
essary economies.
Mr.. Mittcn's views are expressed ms
follows in Service Talk, company
publication distributed among en-
ployes:
"Pmlodelphia Rapid Transit In No
vember last took over the city built
Frankford Elevated. with an estimated
cost Of increased operation over in
creased receipts approxlmating $1,000
900 for the first wear. This estimate
was based upon the city company sup
position that the people of the north
east, in the districts served. would use
the Frankford Elevated, allowing many
Of the surface cars which formerly car
red these people to be taken of. This
has not proved to be the case. as the
people OF the northeast are demanding
all of the surtacc-car service formerly
supplied. in addition TO the added Serv.
ice of the Frankford Elevated.
Frankford "I." Disappointing
THE earnings OF the Frankford Ele-
waited are disappointing. in that the
combined earnings of the Frankford
"L" and the surface lines formerly
carrying the traffic. nave increased but
little more than sufficient TO overcome
the loss occasioned By the free transfers
given between surface cars and the
Frankford "I..' and the heightened
ride from Bridge street to Sixty ninth
street now given for one fare.
Readiustment Of surface. car sclel-
ules in the northeast. now in contem-
platiOr. to meet reasonably public and
Councilm8nic demands, will add greatly
to the operating costs. and require the
exercise of every economy and eff =
cheney. in order that these unexpected
costs resulting from the operation OF
The Frankfurd IT, be overcome. 81
that the system result of operation for
1923 shall not prove too great n disap
pointment.
philadelphia Rapid Transit is lin
tied in its possibilities. The present
seven cent cash four tckets- for TWEEN
ty-iive- cents fare Is believed to be the
highest collectible without further los
of passengers. The wage rate paid &c
the men. including the co -operativ,
/ 81 % ri lttst.l .lanI 4 ,,.n1i
fore, neither fares nor wages are cnpa
Bile of anything more than minor read
Jnstments. With fares and wages set
the ability to support the Olney. Wy.
oming and Erie avenue extensions. the
proposed bus lines and, after that, the
Broad street subway, must consfdera
bly, depend upon added economies and
greater cficiencies. such as are con.
tanned in the one man car"
Weglein for Central Loop
Necessity for the completion of thu
subway central transit loop as mean.
of avoiding congestion at City Hall sta
tion of the proposed Broad street sub.
way was expressed yesterday by Rich
ard Weglein. president Of Council. II,
| favors plant TO ask the Legislator,
to provide funds which will make com
pletion Of the work possible.
Work on this loop. which is TO cx
tend from Arch 20 Locust street. Eight
TO Fifteenth. was started more thar
five years ago and subsequently aban.
doned.
Mr. Weglein is preparing a bill which
would enable the city to resubmt tran,
sit loans TO the people.
II is intended TO carry passengers oil
the Broad street subway down to th
! heart of the shopping district and at tn,
same time connect with the lower Broa,
street tube. 1t would relieve conges
ton at the great subway station unde
| City Hall.