The Detroit times., 1911-10-23

/ In the achievement OF municipal
ownership by purchase Is the acquir-
ing OF the property at fair price.
What safeguards have We thrown
around that kpropositionf =--
First, the city authorities and the
company will endeayor 20 get to-
gether upon a price.
Secondly, IL they fail 10 do so.
each will appoint two arbitrators,
who shall select a nth to fix upon
fair price. II these several Rrbi-
traitors fail 10 agree upoh a nth az
bitretor within a reasonable time,
the Judges OF the Wayne circuit
bench shall select the fifth arbitra-
tor
Now, the result OF this arbitration
as TO the price is binding upon the
company, but II is not binding upon
the city until II is submitted 10 a
vote OF the people. II the people
think the price is too high. they can
reject II. and the deal is on.
Negotiations Take Time.
Necessarily the negotiations look
ing towards the achievement OF
municipal ownership wili-take some
time. There will be "dickering'' be-
tween the city and the company as
TO the price. Possibly there viii be
arbitration; time will be consumed
In appraisals and the taking OF testi-
mony. Then. when the arbitrator
agree upon price the deal will
have 10 be submitted 10 the vote OF
the people. All this will consume
time; and, hence. IL was important
to get some concessions from the
company pending these various pre-
looking TO the achieve
ment OF municipal ownership So
say that the primary purpose OF this
tentative agreement is 10 get NUM-
cipal ownership in the near future.
The secondary purpose Is TO set a
cheap rate OF fare, universal trans
ters an much-needed extensions NOW.
The negotiations looking 10 municipal
ownership may go on Meanwhile the
public viii ride on all the lines at an
elght-tor-a quarter rate. and will have
transfers 10 and from all lines In
addition TO this we will secure a north
and south line on the west side, and
line connecting the Myrtle-st. line
on the west side and the Mack-ave.
llIc on the east: also, ten miles OF
extensions each year, TO be laid on
the streets designated by the city
This, therefore. is the whole settle
ment in n nutshell: that the city has
an immediate right 10 buy, at an |
agreed price, or an arbitrated price. !
10 De approved at an election by the !
people, merely upon giving formal !
notice OF its desire 10 do 40 six ,
months ia advance. This. in my judg- I
hept' brings municipal ownership /
"iinln the reach OF our people. but 4
while municipal ownership Is being /
worked out, We get universal three /
cent fares and transfers, and the ex.
ensions that are so vital to the
growth of our city.
IL is distinctly agreed that the COM
,any shall not raise a finger TO secure
he adoption OF this agreement by the
leople. | shall not be party to any l
pulling and hauling. 'log-rolling.
campaign. II such a
hing is attempted. shall 20 to the
extent OF denouncing IL yes, even 70
he extent OF fighting the adoption of
10 agreement
For myself. shall make no cam
'algn Tor the adoption of the agree
nent. consider IL of sufficient i'm
lortance 10 present for public con
liberation but the people must Judge
o.. themselves as TO It's merits. Be
Tcnd seeing that the people are cor
'eclly informed as TO the purpose and
meaning OF the agreement, my labor
$ done when ! submit IL TO them"