The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-01-05
SAYS D. j. R. WILL GRAB ALL
IT CAN AND Then SHOUT
1.-THE PUBLIC Be DAMNED"
Mrs. Ruby M. Zahn, Prominent
Club Woman, Punches Holes
in Mayors Franchise.
CALLS 1T PENNY WISE"
Height of Folly To Give Away
Any More of Peoples Rights
In the Streets.
CALLS 1T PENNY WISE"

Mrs. Ruby NJ. Zahn. president
of the Detroit Equal Suffrage club and
one OF the strongest advocates the city
and state knows for votes for wo-
men, declarescherself to be utterly
opposed TO the Thompson-H -Hutchins
franchise.
i am sorry tnat have not a vote
that | might record it against one of
the most vicious propositions | have
met with in my whole study of public
questions" said Mrs. Zahn 81 cannot
see where one Of its provisions is to
the advantage OF the city. have care
tully studied all sides OF the question
and read everything written about It
that has been published In the Detroit
press and | fail to see where the d..
L. X. comedies a single thing to the
city that the city has not a right to
have without handing over a valuable
franchise.
III Detroit voters pass this measure
they will be giving away their birth
right for mess of pottage most as
suredly No private corporation has
the right TO own city's streets or to
be given the power by the peoples rep
resentatives in the common council to
hold the people in their power for the
rest of their lives which Is exactly
the condition that will result if the
Thompson-Hutchins franchise should
pass. The agreement between the
mayor and the ID. U. X. officials must
appear TO every thinking person as
nothing more than a political and self
advancement scheme There is GER
tainly no philanthropy behind it-noth.
ing but sharp. shrewd bargain on the
part OF the street railway people and
an attempt at making political capital
by the mayor. Detroit a sa city Is uuite
capable OF running a street railway
II is the height OF folly 10 give away
any more OF the peoples rights to
their own streets.
The 'three-cent fare cry Will catch
la number OF people beyond doubt"
continued Mrs. Zahn 1T is the old
Saying penny wise and pound foolish
For the sake OF apparently say ap-
parcntly, mind you-ot saving two
cents on a street car ride, they want
to give away privileges and power
worth an almost inestimable amount.
TO private corporation which will
grab all il can and then do as big
corporations and trusts always do
say The public be damned
II is great pity that the women
voters of the city are not organized
Mrs Zahn lamented $50 much could
be done with organization. As II is
now. the comparatively small number
OF women entitled 90 vote are I'm the
majority OF cases not familiar with
the provisions Of the proposed fran
chise. and II they know anything at
all about IL. that knowledge consists
only in the assumption that IL the
franchise passes the people OF Detroit
will Immediately have three-cent
fares II is situation 10 make the
Sphinx laugh
When asked why the Detroit Equal
Suffrage club did not undertake 10
instruct the women voters on the pros
and cons of the proposed ordinance.
Mrs Zahn replied
our president Mrs Brotherton, as
Won know, Is confined TO her home as
he result tof that terrible accident
shc met with in November and al
though as Vicepresidcut ! am presid-
inc officer of the club parliamentary
rules give me no power 30 act except
as the president directs, 80 my hands
are completely tied