The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-11-09
THINKS MAYOR THOMPSON
IS BLINDED BY AMBITION
IN TRACTION SETTLEMENT
Sees Political ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In
Dispesing of Problem. Says
Rev w. A, Atkinson.
MINISTER OPPOSES PLAN.
Declares Six Months Option
Clause Is Just Sop Thrown
To People.
MINISTER OPPOSES PLAN

III the ID. II. X. could and woulu
soil to the city on six months notice.
II IL would guarantee good service az
he proposed rate or fare, and ~ The
settlement could be so dra"A - 10
enforce the city's rights at any time
they should be taken TO the supreme
court, then would say that the
Thompson Haily franchise proposition
Ia a good thing" says the Rev. Will
liam A. Atkinson. OF st. Matthias
Episcopal church.
But there are altogether too many
ifs' In that line OF reasoning, TO make
the proposition safe one for the
people," continued the rector. The
whole history OF franchises shows
that they will not hold the corpora
zion, when they are taken 10 the SUI
preme court, while they will always
hold the city.
"A franchise corporation has some
thing belonging to the people, obtain
ed in moment OF weakness, and II
uses every means to keep the people
weak, and TO build up its own
strength. II maintains staff Of the
hiyhest-priced lawyers to be found, TO
bubble over any little advantage that
the people may try to gain. II main
taIns high-salaried publicity agents.
whose newspaper astuteness Is used
20 guard the corporation interests at
every turn. II has some way, too, OF
lining up a portion of the press for
its interests. 1t maintains lobbyists
in the legislature and in the common
council 10 protect Goliath against the
people.
In orr fnn 10 IN
Is now making a proposition, shows
that II realizes that the people are
growing stronger and IL is growing
weaker as its franchises expire, and
IL Is willing to settle to save its repu-
tation and dividends.
That's where the uneasiness about
this settlement proposition comes in.
| know there is great deal OF it
among the Northwestern Business
Mems association. of which | am a
member. and that the uneasiness is
general through this part of the city.
There Is no question that q
clause giving an option TO purchase
the system on six months notice, is
a sop thrown to the people, and we
feel that there is an unseen and un
heralded selfish interest in the pro-
position which is pretty hard 10 place,
exactly IL is hard TO say whether
that selfish interest lies in the ID, u.
r. end or elsewhere. The ID. IT, r.
certainly can't make any agreement
alone. II takes two sides TO make d
bargain.
Now. | happen to know something
about the powerful influences that
are brought 10 bear on public officials
Ambition is one OF the biggest things
that the public official has to combat
IL Mayor Codd had been able to set
tie the street car question in a salts
factory manner he would have scored
a political victory which would I'M
doubtedly have enabled him TO realize
the highest ambition. politically, that
he might nave entertained if Mr.
BreitmeyeI had succeeded in getting
satisfactory settlement he would
have become big public man. II Mr..
Thompson can succeed in making the
people believe that they have reached
a satisfactory settlement, then his
legitimate ambition, of 20 years
preparation, may be realized, but |
don't know what that ambition Is.
Il believe that Mavor Thompson is
honest and sincere, but | know that
public men are subject TO the bright
and dazzling light OF ambition, which
blinds them 10 the effect of Influences
working on them, and which. in
clearer moments, they would refuse
TO acquiesce in.
Il am a great admirer of Mr.. Hally
and ] think his ambition is the bench
which he has attained by election. I
feel that his native ability will carry
him as far as he wants to go. But I
10 think that Mr. Thompson, honest
and sincere as ! believe him 10 be. Is
blinded by ambition in Offering this
settlement
The Thompson franchise was the
subject OF discussion at meeting OF
the Northwestern Research club In
the home OF W. II. Maybee, Stanley
and Linwood-aves. Tuesday night. and
sentiment appeared TO be about even
~ divided on the proposition The
Rev. w. A. Atkinson said he was a
firm believer in Mayor Thompson's
old campaign slogan that The only
good franchises are dead ones" w.
r. Beyis thought the city had had
enough experience with street car
franchises in the past, not TO tie Itself
MP to the company again No fran
chise ever granted had been lived up
TO, he said. Mr. Maybee and w. s.
Clapp talked in favor OF the settle
ment plan.