The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-18
.gusIANDCARSIENS
TO LOCK HORNS
IN DEBATE
CITY OWNERSHIP CANDIDATE
ACCEPTS DOCTORS CHALLENGE
TO DISCUSS TRACTION ISSUE
eREITMEYER DECLINES.

DIR. ]. Henry Carstens sprung a sur
prise on the other two candidates for
the Republican mayoralty nomination
by issuing a challenge Thursday night
20 them 10 meet him In debate on the
street railway question in the Light
Guard armory Saturday night.
William T. Dust accepted as soon
rs he heard OF the challenge. but
Philip Breitmeyer has not done so yet.
He will probably decline, believing
his present plan of campaign is prov
ing effective.
Certainly | shall be glad 20 meet
Dr. Carstens in debate on the allah
sorbing street railway settlement
question" says Mr. Dust. II cannot
believe that the doctor made the
statement credited 10 him in one OF
the papers this morning. They have
no suitable and definite plan Tor ac-
corlplishing solution Of he traction
proposition Surely the doctor has not
read my platform. Six wceG5 ago,
or. 10 - more exact Aug. II. my
platform was issued. and one Of the
papers commenting on it the follow
ing day. said: His platform. com
menda5ly frank and coura seously
state1. may be the solution OF the
street cai question in Detroit.
Nov. in all my campaign litcra-
ture. | have stated that IL IS the only
olean-Cut. straightforward and prac-
tiCai plan OF settlement offered. ana.
UP 70 the present moment no one
has had the temerity to question the
defniteness OF the plan. Could any
thing be more definite or positive than
my pledge TO take steps Immediately,
if | am elected mayor. TO submit TO
the people, first an ordinance provid-
ing a franchise of not more than 10
years, beginning at the expiration OF
the first of the present franchises and
expiring at the same time upon all
lines, a fiat three-Cent rate of five tick
cts for Is cents, universal transfers.
adj valorem taxation. the absolute
control OF the service by he city and
the option of taking over the prop
erty at an appraised valuation? My
second proposition is an ordinance
empowering the city 10 acquire and
operate street railway lines and TO
issue bonds. secured by the plant.
This power to be used only in the
event OF any company falling TO ac-
Thinks 3-Cent Fares Reasonable.
Il have stated repeatedly. and in
the matter circulated by me during
the campaign. that believed the peo-
pie would approve of both PROPOSE
tons. | say that | would then sub.
NIT the ordinance to the company Tor
acceptance and as IL has demonstrate
ed that II can run part OF It's mes
upon three-cent basis, and the rest
of the lines upon three-cent basis
for part OF the time, and still pay IN
terest upon its capitalization greatly
In excess of the actual value OF It's
property, and facing the inevitable al.
tentative of accepting the franchise
or being left with Il useless equip
ment upon its hands, would come In
under the ordinance. ! believe TINS.
| believe il is practical and ! believe
1t is the only definite and practical
plan to solve this problem. II is up
to the people themselves-they are
the court OF final resort for. under the
new constitution, the street car prob
lem is put squarely up to the people
themselves. No franchise may be
granted except with the approval or
three-fifths OF those voting, including
own and operate street railways upon
the approval of a like number of citi-
zens.
IL would like to put IL up to any
thinking man if there is anything in
definite in this proposal OF mine. This
is my platform: / stand squarely
upon IL and am pleased that an OPP
portunity presents itself 10 discuss IL
with DR.. Carstens before the people"
Or. Carstens' Plan.
Or. Carstens' plan calls for the re-
arrangement OF the street car system
and the building of new lines. He is
confident that such a change would
result In economy of operation and a
reduced fare.
Dust made a series Of meetings
Thursday evening and met with a
great reception everywhere. He talk
ed on street railway matters. taxation
and home rule.
DR.. Carstens also made a number
OF meetings and met number OF
friends and former patients. lie de
nounced present street railway condi-
lions and talked about settlement by
means of a big popular committee
Philip Breitmeyer was the busiest
man OF all. making IL meetings during
the evening aud having the entree al
many private house meetings 90
which the other candidates were not
Invited
Physicians who favor Dr. Carstens
are sending out 10000 letters TO pa
tients advocating his nomination.
Breitmeyer Friday afternoon said
he. had two reasons for declining the
debate. lie said that he does not
consider it fair for Or. Carstens u
spring such proposal at the end OF
long campaign when the other can
didates are already billed for theii
entire time. He also says he does mo-
consider ii necessary now, when th'
three mayoral candidates have eS
uressed themselves to the people FOL
weeks. TO have any spectacular de
bate.
IL do not wish TO battle with eth
CT OF the other Republican candi
dates" says Breitmeyer. They are
both excellent men and ] can sal
only kinds things OF them However
this question is one for the people t'
decide and not one for us TO wrangi,
over. | have gone TO the people, I'll
rect and they know where J stand"
Nine Ships Overdue.
NEW YORK, Sept. 1S.-Nine ships
are overdue in this port and fear Ia
felt that some OF them have founder
ed In the great gale on the Atlantic
IL.