The Detroit times., 1910-08-03
Erom the cIsrls.

That he presented such portion OF
the proceedings OF the last session a.
presented. TO Hts Honor. the Mayor
Tor approval. on the 30th OF July. ana
that they were approved Aug. l.
Also. That he has received from
Thomas L. polan. superintendent Of
the Poor; Amos curd, Weighmsstsr ana
Market Clerk. official bonds.
Referred to Committee on Ways ana
Means.
FROM THE SAME.
To the Honorable the Common Council:
Gentlemen--Your petitioner respect
fully calls attention to the following
facts:
For many years a considerable num-
Der OF our citizens have been desirous
OF securing a municipal street car sys-
tenn for Detroit.
chased the present street railway lines
but the supreme court of the state
held that under the old constitution
then in force the city had no power to
either own or operate.
Our people then began an agitation
for such a change In the constitution
al would enable them to secure Q
municipal street car system.
Two years ago a constitutional con-
vention was held and certain OF our
citisens took an active and influential
part In preparing a new constitution
which was adopted by a large majority
and which conferred upon our city the
power to own and operate street cars
a. soon as authorized by vote OF the
people.
Acting under our new constitution
and the law passed by the state to give
II effect a plan for city ownership and
been prepared and 1879 electors OF
our city have petitioned for vote
thereon.
This petition was filed with your
people have therefore had more than
four months In which to inform them
selves ~ TO the merits Of the plan.
Under the law the plan 10 to be SUBJ
mitted to the people at the nrst regu-
lar or special election after the ex.
piration OF 80 days from the time OF
Ming, and your honorable body pro-
ceeded promptly by calling special
election to be held on August 18th next
In order that the will OF the peopie
Very recently six persons. only three
OF whom are electors OF Detroit, Med
a petition In the circuit court to pre-
vent the election. After full and fair
their petition was dismissed and their
application TO enjoin the election re-
fused
Thereafter these six persons by an
IN
supreme court an Injunction prohibit
ing an election until the further or
der OF the court"
These six persons could have brought
their suit at any time after March 20
had adjourned and nearly all the
Judges thereof were away on theiI
vacations.
An early vote on the question is a
great public necessity because every
one In Detroit IL dissatisfied with the
present street car conditions. Your
honorable body. the mayor. every De-
troit citizen and even the ID. u. r. IT.
self. are unanimous In declaring that
and outrageous.
The plan proposed IN the only plar
before the people and would In the
opinion OF many OF our citizens settle
we have already settled our water, fire
department and electric light aues-
lions.
To vote is. in this country. one OF
the highest acts of sovereignty and
the elector should not be lightly de-
layed In the exercise OF that sovereign
right. 1890
Nothing but tho supreme court in
junction now stands between the peo-
pie and their ballot.
We therefore ask your honorable
body in view OF the foregoing facts
TO employ all proper means to secure
as early a hearing and as prompt a
decision from the supreme court az
may be consistent with the proper adj
ministration OF justice.
Your petitioner presents this petit
ton on It's own behalf and on behalf
or said 1888 petitioning electors.
Detroit. August 3. 1910
Citizens Municipal Ownership Com
mittee.
BY sAM'L T. PENNA.
Vice Chairman.
by
Referred to Committee on Franchises
Also. That he has received the fol-
Detroit, Mich. July 70. 1910.
To the Honorable the Common Council:
Gtntiemen-we are in receipt OF a
resolution passed by your Honorable
Body on July 18th. 1910. in which the
Your committee is firmly convinced
that the Council should appoint an en-
gineer TO make an appraisal OF the
properties OF the Detroit United Rail-
way at the expense OF said Company,
and we, therefore. recommend that the
City Clerk be directed to submit COPY
of this report to the President OF the
quest that he inform the Common
Council In writing at It's next session,
whether or not said company would,
at Its expense. pay the cost OF having
an appraisal OF Its property made by
a competent engineer appointed by the
Common Council"
We fully concur with your Honor
able Body In the belief that the value
OF the Company's property as going
street railway concern should be as
certained, In order that the public may
he I'm position to Understandable pass
on any matters In relation thereto. and
particularly that the public may know
this value and the cost OF the service
rendered them.
In connection with the appraisal
work. much has been accomplished
through the Committee OF FIFTY. and
the very thorough inventories of the
Company's property and the data re-
lating to the value OF this property
furnished the Committee OF Fifty are
available I'm the further prosecution 81
this work. We, therefore, say to your
Honorable Body. that the Company wilt
competent engineer. appointed by the
Common Council to complete this
work provided the sum SO TO be paid.
together with the amount already ex-
Herewith, is added to the value OF the
property as finally determined by the
Court of Arbitration.
Yours very truly.
j. c. HUTCHTNS,
President.
Referred TO Committee on Fran
Also. That he has received the fol-
Detroit, Mich, Aug, 4, 1910.
To the Honorable the Common Council:
Gentlemen--we submit herewith the
Mcdonald. Bishop Charles p. Williams.
Richard H. Fyfe. Clarence A. Black,
WILDER Brotherton. Robert NJ. Cham
beriain. James 8 Holden. and 1881
other electors OF the city OF Detroit
for the submission. by your Honorable
podv ~ fhe electors OF said city at