Trolley Survey a Classic 'Push Poll'?

Editor's note: The following article appeared on July 7, 2007. According to a communication of Sept. 3rd from Berwood Yost of the Center for Opinion Research, Dr. [Terry] Madonna did not participate in the design, administration, or analysis of the survey."

F&M is a member of the Lancaster Alliance and a prime contributor. F&M president John Fry served on the Convention Center Authority during a period of unsubstantiated expenditures. The then commissioners declined to re-appoint him.

A "push poll" is when questions are phrased in a manner that will evoke a sought after response.

On behalf of the Lancaster Alliance, the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin & Marshall College conducted a telephone survey of 408 Lancaster County residents living within a twenty mile radius of Lancaster City.

The poll never mentions, let alone asks, whether the system should be built with $20 million dollars of public money or that it would operate at a loss of over $300,000 a year.

The poll does not mention that trolleys would contribute to traffic congestion and pedestrian danger.

That so reputable an organization as the Center for Opinion Research should be party to such a propaganda effort does not do credit to them or to the college they represent. But it is evidence of the corrupting power of the Lancaster establishment and the monopoly newspapers.

Below is the information provided to those queried. Judge for yourself whether this is a biased presentation for the purpose of eliciting seemingly favorable responses.

"Lancaster is considering installing a modern, steel-shelled street car system. Street cars will look historically authentic inside and out, but will off modern amenities including air conditioning and barrier free access. Street cars will be pollution free and run I the lane of traffic at or near the speed limit, along a 6.2 mile route.

"Street cars will operate on the parallel streets of Queen and Prince Streets, between Liberty and Vine Streets. Street car service will be provide 14 hours per day, with stops every ten minutes with 15 stops along the way.

"Street cars will link a variety of destinations, including the train station, Clipper Magazine Stadium, the Fulton Theater, the Southern Mark, the planned convention center, and a variety of stores, restaurants and offices.

"The fee for riding the street car will be 50 cents or less."

7/7/07