The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-08-30
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 a
talk with the newspaper representa-
tives in his private Office Tuesday
morning. The mayor thinks the Web
ster ordinance quite the best thing
that has been proposed, IL the ID. u.
X. will agree to 1t, and he doesn't see
how 1t can afford to refuse to agree
II a valuation satisfactory to both
sides is finally determined upon.
THE commission plan is the proper
one" said the mayor. II am In favor
Of placing all our public utilities under
a commission, but, of course, TO do
that we would first have to get the
sanction of the Legislature. Legisla-
tive action would not be necessary to
establish street car commission
alone. II the city and the company
agreed to II that is a matter purely
between themselves, and the state
would have nothing TO do with it, But
first OF all we must get 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 q disposi-
tion to take the matter up and hurry
1t 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 if the people voted for it?" was
asked.
"Oh, II the people vote for 1t, why
to see that they get what they want"
he said. Il wouldn't recommend
municipal ownership at this time, how
ever, for don't think the city is ready
for it, Still, Ii il came right down TO
the point. can see wheT,, tic city
colud operate che line right II a. 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 or
that nature. Regulation Is tie thing,
though Let's come to terms with tie
ID. u. r. and establish this commits
sion. AS IT, rates of fare, | don't think
the people will be satisfied nhtil they
can get something better than i've
cent fare, unless II were shown con,
clusively that the company codid not
do business for less than that"
A belated reply to a communication
sent by Mayor Breitmeyer to P.esi-
dent Hutchins, of the ID. U. Il. Aug. z.
was received " the mayor, Tue sday
morning. The mayor. In his letter,
asked for certain concessions, such,
for instance, as single fare to the
city limits In any direction, but Mr..
Hutchins does not dwell on these mat
ters in detail in his reply. The letter
Is largely a reiteration OF past CORE
spondence 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 to
the fact that the litigation over the
Hally ordinance, now pending in the
United States circuit court, involves
a judicial determination OF the value
Ol Tie ~. " II. piOPCi eiNo' ~
Possibly you may think II un-
necessary, In view of this action,
to 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 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 fair rate of interest on the
value of the property. With such
principle once established, IL
would be possible to meet all
reasonable demands for extern
Sims