The Detroit times., 1911-11-02

ing reading now, in the light OF recent
deveJonments. First and foremost
among them was thar the franchise
tied the city's hands for IL years. by
substituting "13" for rs the same
objection stands against the Thomp-
son franchise
Another reason cited why the Couu'
Hutchins franchise was bad thlhg
for the city was that its acceptance
would prevent the city from taxing
advantage OF the case then pending
IN the supreme court 10 test the city $
right 10 build and operate it's own
street railway system. That right has
since been established. All that is
needed H. an amendment TO the city
charter. under the authority OF the
leN constitution, giving the city pow
or 10 own and operate. Such an
amendment. introduced In the council
bv Aid Gilman. Is now before the
COMMITTEES on city and charter legis-
lation. ana In all probability II viii
be reported out next Tuesday night.
OF the 80 aldermen i'm the council.
tSl are pledged TO submit this amend
ment TO a vote OF the people at the
earliest opportunity. and they can
I not sidetrack IL for the Thompson
franchise without betraying the peo'
pie they were elected 10 serve.
Here are some OF the other reasons
s.ven by Mr. Thompson in 1906, why
the people should vote against a
! n ahchise grant:
Because II gives the d. u. r.
a monopoly OF the most valuable
| business site in the city (the mid,
! die OF the street, without price
and with no adequate return TO the
city
Because the streets belong 10
the people and the income from
them should 90 to the people.
Because the ordinance contracts
for the overhead trolley system
for is (now 13) years, no matter
what the future may show TO be
better system.
Because the city cannot buy the
road without paying the bondhold-
ers their mortgage of $25.00O,OOO
or more. or getting their consent;
and this is not given. SHOULD
THE CITY ATTEMPT TO AS
SUME THIS AWFUL DEBT, 1T
WOULD BURDEN EVERY HOME
IN THE CITY WITH TAXES.
Because II renders home rule
on street railway matters impos-
sibIe for ut least is tnew 10 years.
Because as the city expands,
under the ordinance. the ID. T. r.
can demand two fares.
BECAUSE IT'S PASSAGE
MAKES MUNICIPAL OWNER
SHIP IMPOSSIBLE FOREVER.
Because il gives no return to
the city for advertising privilege,
special car, freight and suburban
traffic.
There is not one of these objections
that cannot now be urged against the
Thompson franchise. The strongest,
OF course. rs that it makes municipal
ownership impossible forever" The
mayor has admitted that his principal
object in making this pact with the
n. U. r., was 10 secure low rate OF
fare and not municipal ownership.
Like the Codd- Hutchins franchise. the
Thompson ordinance has an option
clause, but its terms are vague and
the advocates OF real municipal own
ership regard ii as "delusion and q
snare"
Proctor K. Owens. who was defeat
ed by William B. Thompson in the
mayoral campaign last fall, announces
that he will canvass the factories OF
the city at his own expense. speaking
against the franchise and in favor OF
municipal ownership. He will adver
tise the talks by means OF a banner
bearing this legend: Proctor X.
Owens will speak in this factory to-
day. exposing the Thompson fake
franchise"
II have made over 1000 speeches
in this city in defense Of municipal
ownership, and | meant what | said
when told the people that municipal
ownership is the only proper solution
OF the street car question" he says.