EVENING LEDGER-PHILADELPHIA, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19, lOJS
6
$"
te
WAVE OF PROTEST AGAINST TRANSIT
ftitftaf ffnttt Wr flA0
tsf- of. tHe rapid transit tln as, olil
llhd far bfrector Tror, which, If placed
into oprtl!n, would Have resulted In the
construction of a loop at Sth and Arch
tree!. This loop would have been an
Important-factor In brlnglntr persons from
tho northeast section down to the Mart
of the central part Of the city M well as
ttltht into the heart of tho shopping din
Met. I do not favor tho change of the
transit plans as Introduced In the ordl
iiaaca lit Councils. I ant against the
tnesut. because I believe the Taylor
plans nra better from the transit point of
tlaVfV I am opposed to tho Costello plan.
Morris Clothier, of Strawbrtdge A
Clothier, said today that ho felt that this
was a tlmo for "Inside work" and not
"outside," If tho people were to get real
rapid transit.
The merchants along tho route of the
proposed loop are Indignant at ,the action
of Councils." he said, "but do not think
for a minute that the action of Councils
yesterday Is final. Councils can go a long
way, but when It cOmes to the final set
tling of this big civic question tho peo
Dla who Work to make this city what t
is dictate what shall be done. Philadel
phia wants this subway. Including the
loop, and it will have It." . , m
Josfnh N. Sricllenburc active head of
K. Snellcnburg & Co., eald today that he
regietted that he had not studied the
transit subject sufficiently to cnablo him
to give a learned opinion of tho revamped
ordinance'. lie. said!
"We ought to have the universal 6-cent
are, It Is too bad that tho people have
been thwarted In that particular. As to
the big broad proposition, there are many
rumors afloat. One set attributes the ac
tion of Councils to one thing and another
eems to have an equally good reason to
think something else.
"I do not know, and T feel that this Is
not the time for a business man In the
lino of the proposed loop to make an at
tack upon tho people who havo the de
termination ot the matter In their hands.
"Of course, there Is politics In It, but
T am not a politician nnd cannot apeak
faithfully In that respect. I think that
the end Is not yet, and I believe that the
people will get what they want, but T
do not believe that It will be within two
years. It will take longer than that to
build the roads that Councils have now
proposed."
Director Taylor In a formal statement
declared that tho ordinance roportod by
the Finance Committee would kill the
real rapid transit plan as Indorsed by
all Bectlons of the city: that It was de
signed for land speculation and that
'"Jokers" were Inserted to raise legal
doubts and assure delay. Tho Director
called on all citizens and organizations
In Philadelphia to arise and act for their
own Interests.
DIJtB RESULTS OP BETRAYAL.
Tho following direct results, Director
Taylor said, will follow the pnssoge of
the Financo Committee ordinance:
The ordinance Is destructive of the en
tire plan for high-speed transit.
It would deny any Improvements In
existing conditions to all the people In
the southwestern section of the city.
I now warn the people of North and
South Philadelphia that passage of the
ordinance would defeat construction of
the Broad street subway.
The omission of the delivery loop would
prevent construction of the Parkway
North 29th street line, serving Manayunk
and Roxborough.
It would carry an expensive elevated
structure through the Northeast, between
.Bridge street and Rhawn street, leaving
Its operation entirely at the will of the
Rapid Transit Company.
TRICK TO DELAY.
The transparent trick to delay the on
tlro transit question for at least a year
is revealed in the Insertion of a clause
providing that the loan shall bo "based
on tho assessed valuation of taxable per
sonal property." Members of the Finance
Committee have openly indicated that
they Intend to question the constitution
ality of the loan, and to assure a reason
able basis for court action, this clause
was inserted.
Edward 1!. Martin, chairman of tho
transportation committee of the United
Business Men's Association, announced
this morning that this committee would
meet tills aftcroon and formulate plans
to havo every allied association demand
a hearing before the Financo Committee
of Councils. Mr. Martin said the United
Business Men .vigorously would oppose
the Councllmauic plan.
Director Taylor spent the entire morn
ing receiving delegations from business
associations und protesting citizens.
Plans to reopen the fight against Councils
were discussed, and Director Taylor
urged that pressure bo brought to bear
upon the individual members of Councils
to prevent favorable consideration of
the ordinance as It now stands.
Director Taylor"a program for rapid
transit was Indorsed last night by the
Chestnut Street Buslnoss Men's Associa
tion and the George's Hill Improvement
Association.
OPINIONS EXPRESSED
The following are opinions of officials
of leading business, trade and Improve
ment associations throughout Philadel
phia: Central
It. MARLOWE, manager Ruby Theatre,
CO Market street: The Taylor plan for
rapid transit should go through with
out any alterations. The loop for dis
charging passengers In the central sec
tion of the city Is the most vital fea
ture , of the transit plan, and should
Councils fall to provide for this, they
would be neglecting their obligations to
the city.
F J. MICHELL, vice president ot Henry
P Mitchell & Co. Any one who Is at
all Interested in the welfare of Phila
delphia, cannot help feeling enraged at
the scandalous action of the organi
sation men. It is an outrage to at
tempt to foist such an Inadequate sub
stitute for Director Taylor's compre
hensive plan upon the city, I am
heartily in favor of any action that will
prevent the crowd from putting this
steal over, and will give it my full
support.
West Philadelphia
CUABMON V. HOWE, President of the
George's Hill Improvement Association.
Jl is Imperative that we have a deliv
ery loop. Costello'a plan laeka sincerity
and rightfully has brought forth th
proUst of public-spirited citizens.
WILLIAM Jt MARTIN. Woodland Ave
nue Business Men's Association The
, residents In the vicinity ot Woodland
aysftue and; SCth street will not Blind
fpr ar effort to Joist parts of Director
Taylur's plana pa the city. We want
the er.tlra Taylor plan as the Director
drew it up and as he meant it to go
through. We will call a meeting of
the association Monday to dliouM the
matter ani plan action, and author
ise our Transportation Committee to go
ahwjf with all neaeasary steps. Mr.
' Ttyltr 'Mill not give In. I am sure, and
will stand, back of him to a man.
MAUUOH H. BABNE3, director Ed and
Market fitreefag Busfnsea llpn'a Asc-ciatHw.-AVo
no reasen for a aubsti
t U Xkfrcetor Taylor's xllcnt and
ffaifflrnflllsjsti Pte, ab4 we will sot
tavi tort.
Wimd43 T. OTWITT, preaMtnt of to
iai:iw,- AvwtUf Buefeues Alea'a Ao
.i4ihm U'm vettan 1 b . Ttsre'a
"mUtmu fat tte -"rajfTfi I
imSHkt why 3?5JteS3n Uf W4
i m HaM e M the tftisNt !.
TRICKERY SWEEPS THROUGH CITY
DIRECTOR TAYLOR'S WARNING
TO PEOPLE OF PHILADELPHIA
1. "I new warn the people el North and Sooth Philadelphia that pnntsge of the
ordinance will defeat ronitruetlsn of th Broad street enbwar.
2. "It will denr nrir Improvement In eilntlrtg conditions to nil the people In the
ouhwmtern teetlen of (he fit.
S. "The omission of the dellrerr loop will prevent the construction of the Parkway
North 29th street line, settle- Itntboroush and Alnna;ui1k.
4. "It would rnrry an penstrr derated structure through Hie northeast, between
Ilrldse street and Ithawn street, tearing lis operation entirely at the wilt of the
Philadelphia HapliI Transit Company.
5. "The ordinance Is drslructlre of tho entire plan for hlhspeed transit."
RAPID TRANSIT UNDER TAVLOK PLAN.
Four-track subway In North Broad attest, from Race Street to a point near
rikc, with noHheast and northwest branches.
Two-track subway in South Broad street to League Island.
Central delivery loop.
Frahkford and Darby elevated lines.
Parkway-North SSth street line, serving Roxborough and Manayunk.
"JOKER" RAPID TRANSIT.
North and South Broad street subway, from LeagueIsland to Olnoy avenue,
with branches at the north.
Elevated lino from Front and Arch to Rhawn street.
Thin latter line Is based on the Costello plan.
They want to wait until tho next elec
tion, when they think they will havo
an organization administration,
THOMAS H. McCAFFREY, president ot
tho Belmont Improvement Association
I will not accept anything which does
not comprehend tne city ns a whole,
as does the Taylor plan. I will call a
mooting ot the members of the asso
ciation tomorrow night to discuss the
action of Councils.
North
THE REV. J. GREY BOLTON, pastor of
Hope Presbyterian Church and president
ot thu 3!d Ward Improvement Associa
tion t think that while wo nle pre
paring to spend this money we should
provide for real Improvement. We
should have a broad policy for Its ex
penditure, not n petty plan, but a
definite fixed one. We should know and
wo do know what wo want and need.
This ordinance does not give It to us.
Wo must work logically and take caro
of nil tho actually needed Improvement
and not go at the thing In a slovenly
and plcco-meal manner. I approve
the policy of the Evknino Lnonnn
In this transit discussion, nnd I bellevo
that It has been. Is and will contlnuo
to be a great force for the public good.
I.onsr Ufa and more power to It.
EDWARD E. ZIEGLER. president of the
North Philadelphia Business Men's As
sociation This forcing through Coun
cils the despicable Costello plan Is the
work of traitors. The members of our
organization, as well as other organi
zations, believe that a demonstration
similar to that held at the Academy of
Music last month should be held. Again
we shall make known that nothing short
of the Taylor plan will satisfy us. Cos
tollo's plan, with the elimination of the
delivery loop, la a deliberate move to
burden tho city with a transit line that
would bo of no real benefit to tho peo
ple. We wont a plan that can be abso
lutely relied upon, and Director Tajlor's
plan must be reckoned with.
MORRIS FINER, president North Sth
and 9th Streets Business Men's Associa
tionThe Sth and 8th Streets Business
Men's Association probably will hold
nn early meeting to take action on the
sidetracking of the Taylor transit plan.
We resent the new plan.
Northeast
A. C. KEELEY, president Kensington
Board of Trade It Is a crying shame
that political matters should block the
public's progress. We shall soon see
who Is tho master in this city, the pub
lic or the politicians.
GEORGE E.' WILLIAMS, secretary Ken
sington Merchants' Association The
price of better street car facilities Is
eternal vigilance. Taylor's enemies are
thwarting tho public will.
EDWARD WEBER, president North
Front Street Business Men's Associa
tion It la an outrage. Some one will
hnve to suffer for the betrayal of the
public. The people will, I feel positive,
demand an accounting.
JAMES C. JOHNSTON, former member
of tho Legislature and director ot the
Kensington Board of Trade It seems a
pity that the high-speed transit system
must be held up by such continual dick
ering. The people of the Northeast pay
approximately $1,500,000 Into the public
treasury annually, and they should be
given some consideration along transit
lines.
Northwest
THOMAS CLEMMONS, president East
Germantown Association Wo are going
to see this through to the very end.
WILLIAM F. NICKELS. Sr.. president
21st Ward Business Men's Association
The working people of Manayunk will i
stand by the Taylor plan. The univer
sal S-cent fare must go through. I will
move heaven nnd earth to prevent the
re-election of any Councilman who will
not stand by Tils promises on the ques
tion of rapid transit.
WILLIAM F. DIXON, president list
Ward Board of Trade and a former
Councilman of the 21st Ward I never
thought tho Republican Organization
would allow tho administration to put
the Taylor plan through while the re
formers were in office.
HARLE W. HATHAWAY, member Ex
ecutive Committee East Germantown
Improvement Association We need
statesmen, not politicians. The Costello
plan Is selfish, as It Is meant only for
the benefit ot a single section ot the
city. It makes my blood boll to see the
way in which politicians can twist a sit
uation about to suit their own Inter
ests without regard to the demands of
public opinion.
ALFRED W. MERZ, financial secretary
Brewerytown Business Men's Associa
tion This organisation certainly will
take the aggressive to compel Councils
to give the people real rapid transit,
Philadelphia needs rapid transit above
alt things, and It Is an outrage that a
few politicians should be permitted to
withhold It from the people,
CHARLES L. FLUCK, secretory of the
Northwest Business Men' Association,
and a member of the Transit committee
ot the United Business Men's Associa
tion. There is no part of Philadelphia
that Is so badly In need of rest transit
as Is the Northwest. The ordinance re
ported out ot Councils Finance Commit
tee makes no provision for the comple
tion of the Parkway-29tli street subway
elevated. If it is the intention of Coun
cils' Finance Committee to ignore our
ssctlon without even a declaration for
the construction of a Northwest line,
while declaring for the construction of
other lines in Director Taylor's plan,
there will be fights In Northwest Phila
delphia and In the United Business
Men's Association throughout Philadel
phia, JOHN W. FLANAGAN, president of the
Falls of Schuylkill Business Men's As
sociation Business men of Falls of
Schuylkill have already gone on record
as favoring the Taylor plan In Its en
tirety. They do not want anything dlf.
ferent In any part. The whole propo
sition or none must go through. I am
In favor of another public demonstration
to demand the passage of the Taylor
plan. No Ccunellmm who has broken
his pledge to support the Taylor plan
will receive my support at the next elec
tion, J. V. BOWDER. president of tbe Wjt
Susquehanna Avenue Business Men's
Association Our association Is heart
ily In favor of the Taylor plaa for rl
rapid transit, and we wilt fight to the
Uft dtch any effort on the part of
Councils to put through, any other pUn,
Business Men
FRANK i, JujiflSNER, president Market
Street Business Men's AwUttoa.-I
usbsMvt the ordinance recommended to
Cm(i hj the Jftuix&z C-SfweMtaa tt
most Infamous piece of work I have
over heard of. I cannot conceive nor
fathom tho purpose of tho Finance Com
mittee In absolutely Ignoring Mr. Tay
lor's plan for giving Philadelphia a sys
tem of rapid transit unless It wcro to
serve some power whose bidding they
must do. MoNlchol may not bo In Phila
delphia to hear our protest, but wo shall
let him know that yt wo havo n fow
citizens In this city who will not bow
nt th crack ot Ills political whip. Wo
business men also will have a say now.
They cannot throttlo the wheels of In
dustry so easily.
TRANSIT TRICK DENOUNCED
Market Streot Merchants Demand
Hearing on Taylor Plan.
"The attempt of Councils to sidetrack
the Taylor rapid transit plans Is a wicked
effort on the part of a coterie of men
who havo but ono ooject, namely, the
handling of millions under the next Ad
ministration," snld George B. Wells In an
address before the Market Street Mcr
cl'nnta' Association last night.
The members adopted resolutions asking
for a hearing at which all the transit
plans should be announced. II. L. Elklns,
one ot the directors, declared he was
against the proposed facilities advocated
b Director Taylor on the ground that
"the outlying sections did not need them."
Officers were elected ns follows: Presi
dent. Fronk L. Relszner: vice presidents,
William J. Eldrldge nnd W. W. Hodgson;
treasurer, Henry F. Michel I; secretary,
William Sutton.
Taylor's Transit Program Indorsed
Director Taylor's entire rapid transit
program was endorsed by a unanimous
vote at the meeting of the George Hill
Improvement Association nt 52d and Jef
ferson streets last night. The ordinance
introduced Into Councils yesterday was
condemned.
GAS FUMES AGREE WITH HIM
John Daly Inhales It Every Month in
Six Suicide Attempts.
A sixth attempt to commit suicide by
Inhaling llluminntlng gas failed John
Daly, 22 years old, of 1922 South 15th
street, today because, nccordlng to
physicians ot Sb. Agnes' Hospital, ho has
Inhaled so much he Is almost Immune to
It.
Tho pulmotor was used on Dniy for i
few minutes early this morning at thn
hospital after he had been discovered In
n room filled with gas nt his home by
his mother. Ho then was taken to the
loth street and Snyder aveiue station for
a hearing before Magistrate Brlggs.
Daly Inhales illuminating gas about
once a month. The police cnll him n
"gas fiend " Physicians say each time he
has Inhaled enough to kill an ordinary
man, but after a short treatment he In
variably revives and nppears none the
worse for It.
"CHI" STUDENT HELD
San Salvadoran Must Face Trial on
Stabbing; Charge.
Accused of stnbblng a fellow student In
a quarrel, Jacques Vnsquez, Pucupa, San
Salvador. Central America, today whs
held In 500 bait for court by Magistrate
Tracy. John C. Dickinson, 22 years old,
100 East Greenwich avenue, Trenton, N.
J., a senior In the Medlco-Chlrurglcal
Dental College, who accuses A'asquea, ie
covered sufficiently to appear at tho hear
ing. The stabbing occurred yesterdny at the
close of a lecture by Dean r. N. Broomell,
at 17th nnd Cherry streets. Vnsquez Is
said to have objected to Dickinson plac
ing his feet on the back or his chair and
the two became Involved In an argument
before they clinched In. the hall. Vas
quez, who Is a freshman, lives at 126
North 17th street.
Gunman's Loot Identified
Jewelry found In the possession of Den
nis Murphy, nllas Joseph McCallum, the
young man who "shot up" Chinatown
several days ago, was today Identified by
Mlss Beatrice G. Eccllsen, manager of
tho Bureau of Social Requirements, of 11
East 4lst street. New York, as her prop
erty and that of other occupants ot her
home.
Miss Eccllsen told the police at Central
Station Murphy worked for tho bureau,
having been recommended by a friend of
Thomas Mott Osborne, warden of Sing
Sing. He stayed six weeks in the bu
reau, writing to Warden Osborne and de
claring he was making good, and then,
according to the police, stole J2000 worth
of Jewelry and fled to this city.
Governor to nave Guard at Fair
When Governor Brumbaugh goes to the
Panama-Pacino Exposition at San Fran
cisco he will be accompanied and guarded
by a squad ot 200 members of the National
Guard, The trip will cost 123,000. The
Panama-Pacific Exposition Commission
will put up 115.000. the guardsmen tCOOO
and the State $1000. Pennsylvania Day
will be September 4. The Governor will
be there at that time.
Respite for a Murderer
HARRJSBURO, Pa., Feb. 19. Andrew
Mallnowskl, of Pittsburgh, who was to
havo been electrocuted next week, has
been respited by Governor Brumbaugh
until the week of March 25. on recom
mendation, of the Pardon Board, which
has the case under advisement-
Director Porter Kept Home by a Cold
Director Porter, of the Department ot
Safety, Is suffering from a cold contracted
Wednesday night after addressing a, meet
ing, and was unable to go to his oifice
today,
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KEUOHU'a NOTICES
Jewish
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SUMIAGISTS MAKING
CONVERTS IN CYNWYD
Busy Propaganda Conducted
by Followers of Cause With
.Good Results.
Tho work of furthering the suffrage,
movement In Cynwyd Is well under way,
and at tho end ot this month, which Is
known ns ''suffrago month" among tho
supporters of the "cause" in that local
ity, many new adherents are expected to
bo added to Cynwyd's suffrago organisa
tion, A varied program has been pur
sued throughout tho month. For those
who nto fond of teas nnd other social
entertainments, a series of these has been
held with great success. Thoso who work
In the city during tho day, but reside In
that section, havo been reached through
numerous evening meetings.
Miss Margaret Wilcox wilt glvo n tea
this Rftcrnoon at her homo In Cynwyd.
It will bo followed by ono of the same
Character on tho 24th' by Mrs. Edgar
Gardner. At each an effort will bo made
to influenco thoso present to glvo their
Btipport to equal suffrago. Great success
attended the teas given recently by Mrs.
Joseph Jl. Crnnston, Mrs. Walter Fox nnd J
Mrs. Henry Do Huffs.
Persons Interested In the fight now being
w-ngcd In Delaware for equal suffrage
huvo purchased "literature" from the
Equal Frnnchlso Society ot this city nnd
distributed It throughout Delaware. Not
only Is Philadelphia suffrage "lltcraturo"'
aiding in tho work In Delaware, but also
n number of local speakers have been
engaged to tour tho neighboring State,
MERCHANTS WANT PAVING
South Street Business Men Ask First
Improvement Since 1901.
More than 200 merchants from South
street came to Mnvor Blnnkcnburc'H of
fice nt City Hnll today to urge that South
street be repaved. Chief William II. Con
nell, of tho Highway Bureau, assured the
delegation that If Councils would author
ize tho paving of South street from the
JGOO.OOO Item In the $11,300,000 loan for re
paying of streets In the ccntie of the clt.v .
the work could be started In tho near fu
ture. Chief Connell would pnvo South stiet
from the Delaware to the Schuylkill Rlvor
with wood block on each side of the trol
loy tracks and with Mne-dresEcd closc
Jolnted granite blocks between tho rails.
Thp plan met with the unanimous iip
proval of the merchants.
riinrles J. McNulty. chairman of tho
delegation, doclnred that they would Im
inedltntcly direct their attention upon
Councils. Ho nssertod that South street
'had not been repaved since 1901.
TWO RESCUED TROM FIRE
Woman and Man Carried From Burn
ing Home by Policemen.
Two persons were rescued from a burn
ing dwelling nt 1630 Wharton street early
this morning by Policemen Zcller of the
loth street and Snyder nvonue station,
nnd Crecdon, of tho 10th and Buttomvood
streets station. Thoy are Joseph Mono
han, who was ill on tho second floor of
tho house, and Mrs. Elizabeth McDon
ough. Mrs. Monohan started a flro in tho
kitchen nnd then went to church. A de
fective fluo caused the blaze to spread
to tho woodwork of tho kitchen, nnd In
n few minutes the house was filled with
smoke.
Mrs. MeDonough opened a third floor
window and called for help. Policeman
Zellcr turned In an alarm and then ran
to tho third floor and carried out tho
woman. Crecdon, who lives In tho neigh
borhood, was attracted by the shouts of
passcrsby. He carried out Monohan.
Firemen extinguished the blaze after
a lively half-hour light. The damage Is
about 5300.
SHOOTS GIRL IN SUBWAY
Man Whom Cabaret Performer Re
jected Then Attempts Suicide.
NEW YORK, Feb. 19.-Fredcrlck Ulmer.
21 years old, son of a wealthy cigar manu
facturer, shot and fatally wounded Ethel
Odell, a pretty 18-year-old cabaret singer,
on tho platform of the ISlBt street sub
way station early today and then at
tempted to end his own life. Tho condi
tion of both Is critical.
"Ulmer shot me because I refused to
marry him," said tho girl. "He has both
ored me to death."
TRAFFIC BLOCKED BY FIRE
Trafllc In nth street was blocked for
nearly an hour this afternoon by a J300
lire in tho Philadelphia Trunk Manufac
turing Company. 243 North 0th street.
Passersby cleared the entire lower floor of
trunks and bags, piling them up in-the
street and forming an effectual barricade
to the crowd that followed the. flro en
gines. A score of engine companies re
sponded to the alarm as the burned build
ing is In tho "flro zone." Firemen had
little dlfllculty extinguishing the blaze. It
was started by a pot of paint put on a
stove by tho proprietor, Adolph Silver
man, which caught Ore.
BOYS ACCUSED OF ROBBERY
Two 16-year-old youthB, charged with1
ureaumg into the Mutual Film Exchange
offices at 002 Filbert street Wednesday
nlglit. were held without ball for further
hearing next Friday by Magistrate Tracy
In the litis and Winter streets station
this morning. Tbe boys, Frank Dough
erty, 5 North American street, nnd
Morris Blausteln, 6th and Jefferson
streets, are said to have broken Into the
establishment and stolen several dollars
In stamps. They were arrested last night
by Detectives Rellly and McFarland, of
the 6th District.
Missing Lawyer Seen in City
Jamea W. King, tho Philadelphia law
yer who has been mysteriously missing
for some time, was seen in this city dup
Ing the last week, according to Informa.
lion which has been furnished to Robert
Drannan, his law partner, A chauffeur
who knew the attorney said he had seen
him passing the Parkway Building. The
chauffeur said the lawyer looked shabby.
Mr. King, he declared, nodded to him In
ssBWIUrHilfHhlinTliiaM
To Provide for the Utmost Safety
of Patrons and Property is the
First Duty of Every Well
Managed Railroad
As a plain, unvarnished business proposition, every
thinking person knows that a railroad that wilfully disregards
the safety of its patrons and the intelligent fulfillment of
its operating and service obligations to the public cannot long
prosper.
The railroads of Pennsylvania and New Jersey fully
realize the importance of properly manned trains. Were the
claims of those who arbitrarily force the railroads, under the
Full Crew Laws, to employ men for whom no jobs exist just and
warrantable claims, the railroads themselves would be the first
to recognize those claims.
Full Crew Laws Costly
Full Crew Laws, however, have been in force in Pennsylvania and
New Jersey more than long enough to convince the railroads and the
thinking people that their effect has been extremely detrimental to both
railroad progress and public interest.
Statistics of the Interstate Commerce Commission conclusively
prove that these Full Crew Laws have worked three grave hardships
i. e.:
1 They actually have increased the number of casualties.
2 They have cost the railroads and thousands of men and women
who, directly, or indirectly, as depositors in banks, trust companies, ant
savings funds, are investors in railroad bonds and stocks, approximately
.$2,000,000 a year in wages for extra labor that formerly was more
efficiently performed, at less sacrifice of life and property, by smaller but
in every way adequate and competent crews.
3 They have deprived the people of a vast amount of improvements
that otherwise could have been made with the enormous sums paid in com
pulsory employment of men not essential to the operation of trains or the
safety and welfare of the people.
No Trains Undermanned
The railroads of Pennsylvania and New Jersey contend that their
trains never could be undermanned for the following most excellent busi
ness reasons:
First A freight train of one locomotive at $25,000, and 75 cars at
$1000 each, would represent an aggregate of $100,000 in rolling stock. Is
it plausible to assume that a railroad company would jeopardize that
tremendous capital investment because it felt the employment of an extra
brakeman at $2.75 a day was not an economic expenditure? Would it risk-,
the loss of $100,000 worth of property to save $2.75?
Second The railroads know that, to reach full! earning capacity
and to get from their equipment and roadway the greatest possible service,
all trains must be manned with enough men to enable them to do their
work and get through their trips in the least possible time.
. Laws' Arbitrary Nature
Why should the public be grossly inconvenienced because of
laws unsound in principle and prejudicial to public welfare and safety?
For example: Suppose the Lackawanna Limited left New York for
Buffalo with four cars. Suppose it arrived at Stroudsburg and there
it became necessary to put on a fifth car to accommodate unexpected
traffic. Under 'the Full Crew Laws this could be done only after an
extra brakeman had been brought from a division point, or the Strouds
burg passengers would have to suffer the inconvenience of standing
in the cars until the train arrived at Scranton. This is but. one illus
tration showing the inconsistent and arbitrary nature of the Full
Crew Laws.
Co-operative Loyalty Needed
The railroads of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, while making it
plain that their efforts to repeal the Full Crew Laws are not directed
against .their trainmen, point out that the interests of their employes
cannot possibly be subserved by policies which are basically and eco
nomically unsound; that those interests, in fact, would be best served
by a united repudiation of existing laws and co-operative loyalty to
the great railroading industry of the United States, upon whose well
being and progress their own advancement and prosperity so largely
depend.
The railroads now as always intend to man every freight and
passenger .train to the full requirements of safety and operating effi
ciency. They intend to do all within their power to expedite traffic
and eliminate public inconvenience. They desire to give that absolute
safety, efficiency, and service which the people demand and certainly are
entitled to.
Why Laws Should Be Repealed
However, to bring their standards up to that desired perfection
which modern industrialism requires, the railroads must be relieved of
such burdens as the Full Crew Laws. Employment of unnecessary men
by compulsion of law foists economic damage upon the people. Such
fallacious laws embarrass the affected railroads to a degree that makes
it impossible to best serve farming and industrial interests. Restrictive
legislation that tends to cripple railroad service, safety, and efficiency
by exhausting revenues which should be applied to postering the public
safety, welfare, and convenience must of necessity ultimately recoil upon
the people.
. SAMUEL REA,
President, Pennsylvania Railroad.
DANIEL WILLARD,
President, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
THEODORE VOORHEES,
. President, Philadelphia and Reading Railway,
i . '7 ' " R. L. 6'PONNEL, Chairman,
Executive Committee, Associated Railroads of Pennsylvania, and Neyv Jersey.
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