The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-23
CITY OWN { RSHIP
TO Be CONSIDERED
BY COMMISSION
SUBCOMMITTEE MAY BE APP
POINTED TO INVESTIGATE
PLAN-No SCHEME READY FOR
SUBMISSION IN APRIL.

Plans for the work OF the Breitmey-
er committee of fifty are already TAX
ing definite shape, and the final
touches will be put on In the meeting
OF the organization committee, headed
by A. A. Schantz. in the mayors Of
fee Saturday afternoon. The plans
will be submitted to the full commit
tee. Monday afternoon.
There will be from 10 TO a dozen
subcommittee which will investigate
separate branches OF the work, and II
Is likely that the heads OF the various
committees will act as a sort OF steer
ing committee for the general work.
Systematizing OF the work with regard
to ascertaining facts bearing upon the
affairs Of the ID. U. X. will be one OBJ
ject sought.
Ii Is realized that there would be
small use in having all the members
OF the general committee given power
TO conduct individual Investigations
into the cost and operating expenses
OF the ID. U. r.. as the officials OF that
company would be overrun with re-
quests for information. The getting
OF this information will, therefore, be
handled In such a way that some sub
committee or the officers acting as a
committee can handle all requests for
information.
Municipale ownership possibilities
will not be lost sight OF In the inves-
tigation, inasmuch as there are num-
Der of staunch public ownership advo-
Gates on the committee. including W.
ID. Mahon. II may remain for the full
nn Hytrif IN Antn I'M. yh.Afh nY
subcommittee shall be appointed to
consider the advantages and disad-
vantages of city ownership, or wheth-
er the matter shall be left open until
all available data Is secured to bear
upon the question In a general way.
Separate subcommittee will I'M
doubtedly look into construction cost,
maintenance cost. franchise values, ex-
tensions and Encouragement OF the
lines and the various methods OF tax
alton now In vogue. Paying matters
will also be attended to by n commit
tee, and operating expenses will re-
quire the services of another group.
Ii Is likely that the real estate men
on the board will be given places on
whatever committee has to do with
appraising the cost and value OF the
present system. Whether the rush-hour
crowds can be handled to better ad-
vantage may be given consideration
by the committee that Is looking after
the proposed Encouragement OF lines.
1t Is expected that each sub-com-
mittee will work by itself, although
two committees may get together on
some point that involves both of their
problems. Each committee will be
expected to meet at least once a week
and, for AZ time, the meetings OF the
entire committee are not expected To
occur oftener than once a week. Some
arrangement Is likely to be made for
the publication of the proceedings and
OF the subcommittee repArts as they
are brought in.
These reports will form valuable
text books in case there is a campaign
ON later for submission or seItIe-
ment plan to the vote of the people.
There are those on the general com.
mittee who are sanguine enough to
think that settlement can be reach
ed In time for submission to the
voters at the April election. This
would allow only 10 weeks for inves-
tigation, debates, negotiations with
the ID. u. r. and a campaign Of edu-
cation and it Is not believed by those
In the best position to know that the
settlement can be submitted until a
month or 80 later than that time.