The Detroit times., 1911-12-13
Points Out That Executive Seek
ing Office Inveighed Against
"Franchise Thralldom."
WHAT A DIFFERENCE Now
With Speeches and Signed State
ments Advocates Grant To
ID. u. r. Worth $50, 100000.

Thompson said he stood during h
last campaign" said John McVic'
TO The Times, In a statement autho
Ized by the committee and gwen Of
By Mr.. McVicar in his capacity
president OF the organization, = Al th'
lime he adopted as his platform, \
more franchises on any terms. al
as his campaign slogan. There al
40 good franchises but dead ones.
but we are emphaticaily oppose
To Mayor Thompson's present pla
form and campaign slogan which q
"A new franchise for the ID. U. K.
During his last campaign his o
tonents frequently charged that May'
4 thompson was franchise man al
ifs elected would try TO secure ne
franchise for the ID. L. k. In
Mayor Thompson at the time ylgo
ously denied and in a speech dell
cred Oct. IA, 1910. at No. 40 Gran
lilveT-ave.. said:
For two decades this city has
been chatting under the heavy fet-
tiers OF franchise slavery. its
hands and feet have been tied and
its progress impeded because
years ago, bowling TO the necessity
OF that day-we had no right then
TO own our street cars-our fore
fathers acted according TO the wis
dom OF their time and granted 10
private individuals practical
transportation monopoly in our
highway. | come tonight TO say 10
you that Ii is time that this
squabbling over the granting OF
new franchises and the meaning
OF old ones should cease forever,
that the city should learn from its
litter experience that franchise
rants are like THE Old Man OF
he Sea-" very easy to take on
rGr backs but we'll night impos-
lie to shake of.
Tempting Prizes Of Monopoly.
But Independent OF the consid-
grafton that these franchise con
OVERSEES have been a distract
* and impeding factor in our
municipal progress, let me say
that there is a moral side 10 the
question of granting franchises
that far transc.nds in Importance
any question OF financial advant-
age They who hang up these
rich, tempting prizes of monop-
oly-creating public service fran
chises before the cupidity OF men
must be very simple 10 expect
that the men whom they tempt
will be able TO resist.
The curse of this age and this
land is the combination OF rot
Ten business and rotten politics.
isMen seeking legislative favor
Legislative permission 10 tax the
publicr-Would be less than human
stif they did not use every effort TO
secure those favors and upon the
NEST advantageous terms to them
selves.
"a The almighty dollar has no
syfriends, no conscience and no
lr'norais. Hence comes the pollu-
tidn of the pure stream OF NUM-
tsfipaI sactivity by the foul waters
OF Misunderstanding corruption:
hence comes the bribing OF pub
lie officials in the city, state and
nation for legislative or executive,
yea. judicial federation of unholy
methods.
The cry OF the times is for hon
est men in public life. but how
lAean YOU have honest men in pub
Tic life when YOU hold up these
tempting prizes OF franchise priv.
Dilege? How can you have honest
men IN public life when Won teach
them how easy II Is 10 make
money, TO roll In affuence and
luxury. by caicling the govern
ment into giving them the right
70 tax the people?
Public sentiment Is as much TO
blame as the weak victims OF
Temptation. AS the prophet Ma
ban said TO the sinful king. Thou
sxart the man so I say to you, my
BsfellowV citizens. that We are re-
aeponsible for the low moral tone
that pervades public life.
Lobbyists in City Hall.
We view with apathy and in.
difference the association OF pub.
lie officials with corporation lob
byists For 20 years ] have seen
these lobbyists around the city
hall, every day and every hour OF
the day. cheek BY jowl with the
public officials who tolerate their
company, wining and dining with
them. For what? For no other
reason than 10 make them favor
ably disposed 10 the franchise
seeking corporations which they
represent
So say. my friends. this street
railway controversy, while on its
surface business and financial
question. is essentially a moral
one. There can be no pure civic
life so long as the fountain
sources Of corruption are permit
ted to pollute its waters. and
= hose fountain sources OF corrup-
lion are the Golfers OF franchise
and Iriyilege-seeking corpora
tons.
No conflict for municipal pro
gress can hope TO succeed which
overlooks the moral betterment OF
the citizens In public and private
life.
want to inspire yon with the
desire TO make this a free city,
free from every corrupting infiu-
ence In its government, free from
7yery thrall OF franchise slavery
IN which the most corrupt jnflu-
ences are born
The people OF Detroit have
learned TO their sorrow that once
2 contract is entered into they
have purchased for themselves
tfouble end litigation and onk
such service and such accommo-
ostion' TO the public as the cor