The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-03
HAARER EXPLAINS
BUMPER BUDGET
Says Autos Require Better Paved
Streets, and That Traffic Has
Doubled.

Public Works Commissioner Haarer
has prepared an open letter to the com.
mon council and board OF estimates In
explanation OF the budget of $4902.-
600 for his department this year. lie
declared that the automobile requires
better pavement than was formerly
tolerated.
Detroit has, within five years, be-
come the center OF automobile mann-
facture in the United States" says
Haarer. Without bonuses or other in
ducements except its geographical po-
sition and natural advantages, fac
tory after factory has organized OF
been moved here from other cities,
with subsidiary plants for the manu-.
facture Of material and accessory
parts, until the extent OF the industry
is bewildering These industries havo
attracted thousands of high-grade
workmen with their families, adding
To the wealth OF the city and to its
responsibilities.
The amount OF traffic on our streets
has doubled, more and heavier freigh.
is being hauled over the pavements
consequently more wear and tear. The
increase In population means more
sewers, more pavements, more clean
ing, more ashes, mere garbage, hence
more money required TO do the work.
II have spoken only OF the automobile
industry, II being tina most prominen:
and the most intimately connected
with the conditions of the payements
and streets, but very large increases
have also been male in other lines OF
manufacture and traffic
Every one OF the 30 streets have IN
.Cluded for repaving IS now paved with
old cedar block OH sand or plank
foundations. laid over 16 years ago;
does any one OF you doubt the neces-
sity for their renewal or their unfit
ness for automobile or even horse
traffic?
The question now is, can we ig.
more the demands Of the thousands OF
our citizens and taxpayers who own
and use machines for pleasure or
business, for good pavements and clean
streets? Can We meet these manufaC-
turers and business men who have
come TO our city 10 invest their mil
lions. i'm a parsimoliOus and grudging
spirit when they ask for such ordinary
improvement? | say decidedly that
We cannot"
Haarer then goes on to show the eX-
IRENE need OF bitter sewers in the Mil
waukee Junction district, the northern
end Of the city. the northeastern sec
ton, Fairview and Delray In all these
heavy rains now cause disastrous
Hoods and vacant property cannot be
improved because OF inadequate sewer
facilities. The commissioner con-
cludes:
Shall YOU set the limit OF taxation
at SIS or SIC because that has been the
limit fixed by former estimators IN
years gone by? Is II not your duty 10
take cognizance OF the situation as 1t
presents itself today? Will you drive
these great industries from our midst
and brighten others from coming by
denying the most ordinary and indis.
pensable facilities for the transaction
OF business, good drainage and good
roads?
Il am taxpayer myself and believe
am speaking the mind of most OF
our loyal and public spirited citizens
and taxpayers when | say am will
ing TO stand my proportion TO keep
our city in the front rank of American
cities as regards such permanent iln-
provements as pavements and sewers"
That Detroit's street lighting system
cannot be enlarged further without
more boilers and boiler room for the
public lighting plant is the plea of the
publc lighting commission. This de-
partment wants $4,000 for boiler
room. a similar sum for boilers. $4,000
FOR a stack. $4,000 for coal convey
or. which is expected to pay for itself
in three years, and $4,000 for new
conduits in Jefferson-ave.