The Detroit times., 1910-11-03
MAKES
STRONG PLEA FOR
CITY OWNERSHIP
Wants Detroit Freed From Fran
chise Slavery and the Controversy
and Corruption Which Are Its
Certain Consequences.
Still Declines, However, To GO On
Record as Flatly Opposing Day.
To-Day Privilege

In a splendid address before the
employees or the Ford Motor Co. IN
Highland Park. "Wednesday noon,
William b. Thompson declared MINI
self strongly IN favor OF municipal
ownership and against the granting
of any further long-term franchises.
HE did not gig back on his former
statements relative to day-tO-day
agreements. but he did express the
hope that municipal ownership would
be a reality at the earliest possible
moment and urged patience and perse-
verance on the part OF the people
MIR. Thompson met the special COM
mittee relative 10 his reply TO one OF
the questions that had been submit
ted 10 him touching the franchise
question. The committee wanted him
10 go on record as being fatty op-
posed 20 the granting of even a day
to-day privilege 10 a private corpora
ton. but this the candidate declined
10 do II the municipal ownership
committee had its way, not a spike
would be driven. In case the people
vote for municipal ownership, except
by the city. Mr.. Thompson explained
that he did not propose TO place the
city in a position where il would be
helpless 10 provide transportation for
IT'S citizens pending the settlement OF
the litigation that is bound TO follow
the adoption OF municipal ownership.
In his address at the Ford works,
Mr. Thompson said, in part.
During the past two weeks | have
been talking TO the people OF this city
about the evil of granting franchises
TO public service corporations. The
purpose OF this talk was 10 prepare
the minds of our citizens for the vote.
which | expected would take place
next Tuesday on municipal owner
ship. but il is informally announced
that the supreme court will not decide
the question OF its submission for
some time 10 come.
NO doubt there were reasons which
seemed sufficient to the honorable JUS
tees for Withholding their decision on
the matter. However. this delay ought
10 drive home TO every citizen OF De
troit. who wants TO see the city freed
from franchise slavery. the necessity
for steadfastness and persistent de-
termination. The lesson which ought
10 be burned into your souls by 20
years OF bitter controversy is that
franchise creating a transportation
monopoly In your streets, is an op-
pressive burden.
In view OF this bitter and burning
experience what sane man can advo-
cate the granting OF a new FRANCHISE,
and the acceptance OF a new term OF
franchise slavery? AT the risk OF
wearying you with repetition, | again
say that the only good franchise Is
dead one, and that municipal freedom,
and the growth and expansion which
goes with ii, are the products of peace,
not litigation; that the continued DIS
satisfaction and tumult arising out OF
the controversies over franchise
grants. their limitations and their
legal meaning. are highly injurious TO
municipal welfare.
1T has taken US years TO get the
right OF municipal ownership under
our state constitution. Three years
ago I spoke before the constitutional
convention in Lansing. pleading with
that body 10 give to cities the right
TO own public utilities. Hostile argu'
ments assailed me on every side. but
finally the convention agreed 10 let
municipalities engage In the owner
ship of public utilities, provided that
three-hfths OF the voters declared In
favor of so doing.
Now we have got the right or
municipal ownership. and II three
ffths of our voters decide we want
to own our street car system, we can
do 1t. OF course, there is the legal
battle In the courts 10 be fought out,
but let us fight that out with the same
resolute determination, and the same
self-sacrifcing patriotism which
brought US victory in the constitution
al convention. No long-term fran
chise should be granted 70 any public
service corporation. We want Detroit
TO be a free city. free from franchise
slavery. free from the controversies
which franchise slavery engenders,
and free from the corruption which Is
its certain consequence. Above ALL
let us not get discouraged by delay
or disheartened by obstacles. The
prize for which We struggle. is muni-
cipal freedom II Is rich prize,
- - Mating and aghtfnQ for -