New-York tribune., 1906-11-11
FARES AND FRANCHISES ~ DETROIT


We remarked the other day upon the change
in the attitude OF capital toward street rail-
ways SIS an investment. The change is not con-
fined to capital There is a change in public
sentiment i'm the Western cities which we in
stanced 10 illustrate our remarks regarding the
terms which shall be offered 10 capital TO en-
gage in the traction business. While capital has
become more plant there 10 the public will. the
public has become more eXacting. The mu-
nicipal election in Detroit showed what the
people of that city have come TO expect in
the way OF concessions from capital desiring
franchises.
Tie franchises OF the Detroit United Rail-
way Company are about to expire. and an Ordi-
nance proriding a new franchise acceptable 10
the company WAS before the citizens as a ref
erendum. 1t looked TO outsiders like reason
able proposition. Under the proposed franchise
the rates of fare were 10 be ten tickets for %
cents during FIVE hours of the day and six
tickets for - cents the other hours. The cheap
tickets were 10 be good between and
o'clock in the morning and 40 and $50 o'clock
in the evening. The franchise was 10 endure
eighteen years. To convince the public of the
blessings of cheap fares the company put ITS
bargain counter rates into operation several
weeks before election for a temporary trial.
Mayor Codd. the Republican candidate. whose
defeated by more than 5000 plurality. while
the cheap fare franchise has been defeated by
an overwhelming vote of 2S SOB 10 1886.
1t is not possible at this distance precisely to
determine all OF the motives that led the peo-
pie TO defeat this seemingly attractive PROPOSE
ton. For one thing, different fares for differ
ent hours Of the day were not liked inasmuch
as 10 take advantage OF the cheap rates it was
necessary for passengers TO carry two kinds of
tickets or pay five cents when they rode in
other than the 2l2-cent hours. Probably the
municipal ownership sentiment had something
TO do with the vote, but the strongest feeling
seems TO have been that by waiting the city
could bring the railway company 10 more ia
vorahle terms Mayor Tom johnson of Cleve-
land advised the Detroiters TO that effect. say
ing: 1.-The longer you wait the better bargain
you will make"
There undoubtedly developed during the cam
paisn a strong objection TO any fractional fare
which makes necessary the buying and carry
Ing OF tickets. JOhnsOn's advice that the pub
lie should insist on a fiat rate of three cents,
with universal transfers, undoubtedly had its
influence. There was formidable sentiment"
according 10 THE Detroit Journal" for that
rate before the election.
But perhaps the strongest objection the peo-
pie OF Detroit had to the ordinance was the
duration OF the franchise. There was a strong
feeling against binding the city to any agree
ment with the railway company for so long a
period as eighteen years. Many perhaps a ma
iority. Of the people thought the company should
grant three-cent fares and operate under a
revocable license during good behavior" as
the Chicago companies are willing 10 do and as
Johnson's company offers 10 do in Cleveland
If We read the sentiment Alright there is a
waning Of the municipal ownership delusion in
both Detroit and Chicago and a growth Of the
idea Of strict public control OF private owner
ship. For such control the good behavior Il
cense must supersede the franchise.