At this point the popular newspaper Philadelphia Inquirer led an editorial campaign to get the mayor to veto the bill, urging the readers to sign a petition which the newspaper printed on its front page. Other newspapers and thousands of citizens joined in.

• On 30th March the mayor vetoed the bill. He condemned the lack of municipal control provided by the trolley ordinances.

• But the city council passed the bills over the mayor’s veto with almost no debate. The opposition hinted at bribery of the council members by the companies. Although direct evidence was not present, bribery for obtaining municipal franchises was a common practice in this era. Moreover, bribery would explain the lack of debate by the city councils and the reluctance of the council members to explain their votes to a hostile public.

• The trolleys' opponents did receive some slight compensation. The PTC agreed to pave 40 miles of street adjacent to its tracks.

• The city also benefited from improved service from the extension of line into outlying areas. The fares, however, remained high.