The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-10-31
- BfGKK" joy P0kESS
FUN At VERNON
Makes Humorous Answer To Alder
mans Opposition To Good Roads
Bonding Scheme.

AID Vernon has produced a be
a wilderihg mass OF figures which he
says proves that the good roads bond
ing proposition swill be more costly
than the present slow system of fin
fishing the good roads which are so
vital TO the development OF Wayne
county and Detroit" said Richard p.
JOY, former controller OF Detroit, for
mer member OF the Wayne county
board OF supervisors. and now presi-
dent OF the National Bank OF Com.
nlerce.
An analysis OF Aid. Vernors
figures would indicate that his desire
for the advancement Of Detroit and
Wayne county will be thoroughly
satisfied If in 1922. or later. the pres
ent system OF road building has pro-
duced 255 miles of good roads.
Using Aid Vernor's own figures
and am not impressed with their &C.
curacy or fairness-he is prepared to
throw away many years of develop
ment through the benefits of a com.
plete system OF good roads at time
when. il We are TO judge by Detrot's
progress in the past decade, the city
will be spreading out into the county
at a wonderful rate. Under the bond
I ing plan the 255 miles of good roads
will be completed within Ave years
and the taxpayers OF Wayne county
will have had the use of these roads
for from six TO ten years while they
would have been waiting for Aid. Yer.
nor TO build them under his archaic
method OF development
aid VarnOr'a Gpurna ohnW a m N
tenarce charge Of $45400O. under the
bonding proposition. which he insists
will be more costly than under the
present plan. or course II will II
there were no good roads. IL wouldn't
cost q penny to maintain them, II
costs more for Aid Vernon TO main
tain his big ginger-ale shop and his
innumerable tanks, bottles and
glasses, than It did 10 maintain one
little soda fountain and few dozen
glasses In his small store at Wood
ward-ave and Clifford-st 10 or 20
years ago. But does Aid Vernon be-
grudge the extra cost of keeping hun.
dreds OF dozens of glasses clean? Not
while the clean glasses are earning
him a acknowledgements pile of
nickels. No more should he fuss and
255 miles OF roads that are constantly
earning money for all the citizens by
enabling them to save on the cost Of
transportation Of themselves and all
the infinite variety OF food and mater.
falls necessary for the sustenance
and comfort OF these citizens
same citizens who pay Aid Vernon a
good salary to look after their pres.
do nd nh
enough to buy Aid. Vernor's ginger.
ale.
IF Aid. Vernon is sincere in mis-
criticism OF the bond issue, he must,
to be consistent, close his ginger-ale
shop and dispose of most of his
glasses because IL costs more to
maintain them than II would IL he
had fewer glasses.
IF he is consistent. he must fight
against any extension of water mains,
because they are no more permanent
than the indestructible concrete roads
for which he objects to issuing bonds.
He must also object to building any
more sewers or street car lines be-
cause of the cost OF maintaining them
and because of the interest on the
bonds He must object to building
schools and Libraries upon bonds, be
cause these buildings are no more
permanent than the concrete roads.
ITO carry Aid. Vernor's arguments
TO their logical but absurd conclusion.
all public works must cease: Detroits
development must be retarded; new
factories must be sent somewhere
else; the present factories must not
enlarge; labor must be idle and De.
troit must deteriorate into "a Sleepy
Hollow where no wheels of industry
may turn, where no hammer may
clang upon the anvil lest AID. Vernon
be disturbed In his canny calculations
OF what Il might cost to PUN Detroit.
II Detroit prove too big and busy a