The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-01-29
STREET CARS ON THREE-CEKT
LINES TERMED NOAH'S ARKS
Council Adopts Lurid Resolu-
tions, Making Demand For
Improved Service

Aid. McCarty's resolution calling
for a special election 10 vote on the
question of n charter revision was
referred to the committee on city and
charter legislation by the common
council. in it's adjourned session, Sat
urday afternoon. Aid Lodge, chair
man of the committee, promises 10 re-
port OF the proposition not later than
a week from Tuesday.
Corporation Counsel Lawson, as
previously stated, does not believe
that the question can legally be sub
mitted in a special election, but ad-
mits that the ambiguous language OF
the law. covering the subject. leaves
plenty of room for lawsuit, and II
is not improbable that the supreme
court will be asked TO pass on the
question. Should the court take the
view of the corporation counsel, the
question of revision cannot be sub
nitted until the regular municipal
election next fall.
The council unanimously adopted
Aid. McCarty's resolution providing
for the appointment OF committee
to prepare tentative draft of char
ter for the guidance OF the charter
commission, when one shall finally be
elected. The committee consists OF
City Clerk Nichols, Controller Heine-
man, Corporation Counsel Lawson,
President Grindley, OF the common
council; Aid. Lodge, chairman or the
committee on city and charter legis'
lation; Aid. Gilman, chairman or the
ways and means committee, and three
aldermen. President Grindley mas al
ready appointed Aid. McCarty, Yer
nor and Tossy as the three members
to serve on the committee.
Aid. McCartys resolution calling on
the police department, the nealtr
board and the corporation counsel te
cooperate In compelling the ID. U. n
to give better service on the so-calieo
three-cent lines was adopted after 9
lively discussion, in which personal
tiles were freely INDUCED in. The
resolution Is a rather unique docu
ment The cars In use on the lines
| In question are characterized al
Noah's arks. and the resolution de
ciares that the council interprets the
| nroyision In the ordinance that re
ouires the company to provide cars
designed for comfort and service te
mean that comfort shall be some
hing better than misery and at leas'
as endurable as a cell in police head
quarters, although this Is asking
great improvement.
The officials in question have Sign
fed their willingness to aid In any
way possible In securing better ser
vice. Health officer Kiefer expresses
the opinion, however, that there is no
law that he knows Of that defines
overcrowding. He says he tried &c
Get an ordinance passed six years age
Regulating the number OF passengers
that could be carried in a car. Dul
was informed that there were legal
objections. ss
Commissioner Croul says he STANDS
ready to send his men out to get cyl
| dence as a basis for complaints wheh
ever he Is ordered to do SO.
II seems to be up to the corpora
ton counsel TO start something ~
this regard, and Mr.. Lawson admits
there is an opportunity for some worH
in this direction.
Another resolution introduced oy
Aid. McCarty, and adopted by the
council, directs the corporation coun
sci TO give the council an opinion as
10 whether the d. Z. X. has not lot