The Detroit times., 1910-08-31
PINS FAITH TO
WEBSTER PLAN
This Will Be Mayors Street Railway
Platform for Campaign-Another
Letter From Hutchins.

Mayor Breitmeyer will pin his faith
to the Webster ordinance, providing
among other things for a street rail-
way commission, in the coming cam
paign. This was made known In u
talk with the newspaper representa-
tives in his private ONCE Tuesday
morning. The mayor thinks the Web
ster ordinance quite the best thing
that has been proposed. II the ID. u.
II. will agree TO IL. and he doesn't see
how IL can afford 10 refuse TO agree
IL valuation satisfactory TO both
sides is finally determined npon.
The commission plan is the proper
one" said the mayor Il am In favor
OF placing all our public utilities under
a commission. but, OF course, 10 do
that we would first have to get the
sanction OF the legislature. Legisla-
tive action would not be necessary TO
establish a street car commission
alone. IL the city and the company
agreed TO 1t that is matter purely
between themselves, and the state
would have nothing TO do with II. But
first of all we must get a valuation.
and | look for some progress In this
line very shortly
That the mayor will try to have the
valuation matter disposed OF before
election is certain. Ii the franchise
committee does not show a disposi-
tion TO take the matter UP and hurry
it along the mayor will use his best
efforts to get things going so that. il
possible, the Webster ordinance can
be submitted to the people at the
election in November.
Would you be for municipal owner
ship II the people voted for it," was
asked.
"Oh, II the people vote for IL. why
they'll find me right here on the job
TO see that they get what they want.
he said. Il wouldn't recommend
municipal ownership at this time, how
ever, tor | don't think the city is ready
for IT, Still, ii IL came right down 10
the point. I can see wher~ tie city
colud operate che line right n 4. We
could get the juice without any
trouble. The only question would be
the matter of condemnation and they |
would have to fix the law ous in Lans- |
ing before we could do anything Of
that nature. Regulation Is The hing, |
though. Let's come To terms with ire |
ID. ". X. and establish this comnls- |
sion. As tc rates Of fare, don't think |
the people will lie satisfied nhtil they |
can get concerning better than Ave
cent fare. unless IL were shown COZ !
clusively that the company cohld not
dc business for less than that.
A belated reply to a communication |
sent by Mayor Breitmeyer 90 P!esl- |
dent Huichins, OF the ID. u. X. Aug. z.
was received " the mayor, Tue suaE
morning. The mayor, in his letter, !
asked for certain concessions, such, |
for Instance, as single fare To the
city limits in any direction, but MI
Hutchins does not dwell On these mat |
ters I'm detail In his reply. The letter
IS largely a reiteration OF past CORE
suondence and renews the suggestion |
that the city and the company get to- |
gether as soon as possible on valua- |
ton
Mr. Hutchins makes one new sug- |
gestion, however. Calling attention 10
the fact that the litigation over the
Hally ordinance, now pending In the
United States circuit court, involves
a judicial determination OF the value
OF the d. U. X. properties, he adds:
Possibly you may think 1t UNI
necessary in view OF this action,
10 continue an inquiry under the
plan now in contemplation by the
common council. thus avoiding
duplication of labor and expenses;
but whatever way the facts are
ascertained, whether by court
proceedings or by a continuance
OF your inquiry through the com.
mon council and a high court OF
arbitration. We reiterate our ad-
herence to the principle that we
will operate at any rate OF fare
necessary TO provide the service
and q fair rate OF interest on the
value of the property. With such
a principle once established, IL
would be possible TO meet all
roo snnn hln dnInn nda for nNfnn.