The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-02-21
JOHN MVICAR LAUDS
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP
BEFORE W0MEN'S CLUB
Utilities Give Best and Cheapest
Service Under Public
Control, He Says
ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED
North Woodward Political
Equality and Civic League
Makes Fine Start
ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED

Inc advent or new Womans club
could not have been made under hap
pier auspices than that OF the North
Woodward Political Equality and
Civic league, which made its formal
debut I'm Detroit clubdom, at recep-
tion and tea, Tuesday afternoon, in
the parlors or st. Joseph Episcopal
church, Woodward and Holbrook- aves.
The parlors We're crowded with smart
ly-garbed women; an excellent string
orchestra played popular music in de-
lightful fashion; there was a most
hospitable and pretty fiower-bedecked
lea table and two highly interesting
talks by distinguished guests-Miss
Catherine Groth, OF New York and
John McVicar, OF Detroit Mrs. Ruby
NJ. Zahn, president of the club, pre-
sided.
As the new club was formed for the
purpose OF studying public and civic
questions, Mr.. McVicar was invited to
address the members on Municipal
Ownership" TO start ii on its way.
There are few Detroit citizens better
ables 10 present such a subject with
authoritative Information and expert
ence than Mr.. McVicar. In a splendid
ship and operation OF public utilities
by municipalities from early Roman
days to the present, giving figures
relative TO Detroits own lighting and
water plants. He proved conclusively
with facts and figures, that municipal
Ownership OF many different public
utilities is not a myth, but a good
business proposition and one that
means large profits, better service and
cheaper rates to the people than when
these utilities are operated by private
corporations. Mr.. McVicar declared
haiti Detroit can-and soon will
operate her street railway in a man
ner TO insure frst-class service 10 the
public and good returns TO the city
treasury.
The recent decisive defeat In this
city at the polls OF the franchise grab
bers was the greatest tribute the citi-
zens OF Detroit could have offered the
memory OF HaZen s. Pingree who
fought 30 ably and well 10 give De-
troit cheap street car fares" declared
Mr. McVicar. Had Pingree been alive
his voice would have been raised loud
est Of all against, the franchise and he
would have fought the Thompson
Hutchins franchise with all his might
or | did not know Hazen 8. Pingree."
Miss Groth, who Is in Detroit rep
resenting Nine. FRITZ Scheff, singing
this week in the Garrick theater, gave
most interesting talk on the home
life OF Maeterlinck and his gifted ac-
tress wife, whom she visited last sum
merlin their monastery home Just ont
cd do ~ Do ~ ~
pretty and charming young woman. is
la very learned person despite her
youth. She has a degree from The
University OF France. and another
from Columbia university, New York.
She is a Journalist, a magazine writer
and an excellent public speaker. To
her delightful talk to the club woman
she added two old French songs which
she gave. unaccompanied, and in the
original text with charm and clev-
erneSs that brought storm OF en-
thusiastic applause from the audience.
In the course OF her talk. Miss Groth
said that Nine. Maeterlinck and Nine.
Scheff were strong advocates OF suf-
frage and both were living examples
OF the fact that woman may be
beautiful, talented. happily married
and yet have career" independent
OF her husband.
During the serving OF tea and de-
licious cakes the orchestra played and
Miss Amelie Huigli sang number OF
songs In pleasing fashion. The new
club was welcomed TO Detroit club
dom by Mrs. George G.. Caron. prest.
dent OF the Detroit Federation OF
Women's clubs. who wished 1t every
success. and said she expected II to
accomplish great things. considering
the exceptional advantages under
which IL has been launched by group
OF brainy and cultured women.