The Detroit times., 1911-12-28
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP FOLK
MAKE VIGOROUS ONSLAUGHT
AGAINST THOMPSON PLAN
In Rousing Meeting Pledge
Selves To Work For the
Gilman Measure.
JEFFRIES RAPS McRAE.
Says Board of Commerce Presi-
dent Is Betraying People
Who Use Street Cars.
JEFFRIEs RAPs McRAE.

That there has been no weakening
on the part OF the rank and file OF
the advocates or real municipal own.
ership, In their opposition TO the pro
posed Thompson-Hally street car
franchise, was clearly apparent from
the interest displayed In Wednesday
nights municipal ownership meeting
in the council chamber In spite OF
the cold wave, the attendance was
larger than at any previous meeting
OF the kind. and the speeches made in
behalf of the cause were full OF en-
thusiasm and earnestness. fact that
did not escape the attention of Cor
poration Counsel Haly and President
Milton A. McRae, OF the Board OF
Commerce, both OF whom were pres
ent in response TO invitations.
When, toward the close OF the
three-hour session. a resolution was
introduced, pledging the members OF
the municipal ownership committee
to work for the passage OF the Glin-
nan charter amendment and against
the adoption OF the Thompson ordi-
nance I'm the special election, Jan. %.
IL was adopted without dissenting
vote.
ganized canvass be instituted on be-
half OF the Gilman measure. and this
will probably be done. The meeting
went on record. and Mr.. McRae sec
onded the motion, as being opposed
to the use of the public schools for
the discussion OF the Thompson-Hally
ordinance unless the same privilege
is accorded TO the municipal owner
ship advocates.
Aid Gilman, whose name the pro-
posed municipal ownership charter
amendment bears, was one OF the
speakers, and his remarks We're re-
ceived enthusiastically. He took no
credit for putting the measure through
the council, declaring that he had
merely lived up TO the promise he
made when he was elected.
II wasn't much of "A municipal own
ership man then" he said. for the
Eighteenth ward had just come into
the city, and knew very little about
the question, but | am now absolutely
convinced, and have been for some
time. that the only thing for the city
To do Is TO take over the street rail-
ways And when the question comes
before the people, Jan. 81, believe
they viii settle IL and settle IL intelli-
gently"
Police Justice Jeffries, in the course
of characteristic straight-from-the-
shoulder talk, took occasion TO say a
word about the political ambitions
Aid Gilman is credited with having
by the franchise organs.
Gilman On Right Road.
Ambition is good thing. Ii it's a
worthy ambition" he said. and III
Tom Gilman Is ambitious, | want TO
say he's on the right road. I'm the
man who champions this cause. no
matter who he Is or what he is or
where he comes from. and. my friends.
IL municipal ownership carries. we'll
have lot more Tom Glinnans in this
town Wen have 80 OF 'em right IN
our council the morning after elec-
I ton"
Generous applause greeted this
statement, and il broke out anew
when Justice Jenries continued
"if the Board of Commerce Is fair,
| tt Will invite tiie pttbife= ownership
men to speak TO them and state their
eide OF the street car question. u
Continued on Pnae + ight.