The Detroit times., 1912-08-16

IL would form an important link In any
system OF railways adopted for the en-
tire city.
Bearing In mind the possibility that
the ID. u. r. might surrender and sell
at the city's terms when IL finds itself
facing an administration that means
business l believe that the building OF
municipal lines should be started not
merely as n threat. but with the idea OF
making each mile OF track laid a valu-
able part OF the ultimate system OF
municipal railways. Each step In the
city's progress toward public owner
permanency and the elimination or
waste EFFORT. while the ID. u. X. should
be made TO see that the steadily dsvel-
oplng municipal system was constantly
reducing the value OF the companys
lines.
ID. u. II. Must Pay I'm End.
More than this, my plan would be TO
show the D. ". II. that II must pay la
may have TO stand IN bringing the rail-
road company To time III the city has
70 lay. competing line paralleling n
line OF the d. u. II. the idea would be
get from. the city for It's line at the
outset would steadily diminish up 20
the point where the city would be able
- show a satisfactory substitute SER
vice and taking advantage OF expired
franchises throw out the company's
tracks from the street
The question Is what can 7 do In the
way OF a constructive policy toward
obtaining public ownership?
First we've got 10 amend the city
charter We will vote this fall TO de-
termine whether the charter shall DC
revised and there IL no question In my
mind that the VOTE viii be favorable.
After the people have voted for re-
vision. the council must under the
Home Rule law OF 1903 call special
electior 10 elect charter commissioners
AZ In nF ha Nnxso m r..
ton These commissioners would Tx
the date for the submit sslon OF a revised
charter 10 a vote OF the people. and as
tn" law allows the commissioners 20
draw pay for only 90 days the charter
would probably be rendy for subm,s-
sion 10 the people In about so days
after the appointment OF the commits
sioners
A proposal to Increase the city's
bonded debt limit from two per cent
OF the assessed, valuation 10 four per
cent can be submitted TO popular vote
at the same election wnen the revised
charter is submitted
Now then. az the assessed valuation
H. about $3.50. 900. 900. IT an increase OF
even one per cent In the bonded debt
were available for street railway pur-
poses. we would have TO start with n
fund OF $4,000 900. But while there Is
limit TO the city's debt based on its
faith and credit. there Is no limit TO
the indebtedness the city can incur on
the property OF the railways with a
security franchise as collateral.
First Oner TO Buy Rond.
With four and a hair million dollars
available we would first OFFER to buy
out the Detroit Unite, Railway at the
Bancroft appraisal OF s11. 900. 900. which
was an exceedingly high price.
II the n. U. II. would refuse TO sell.
We would then immediately begin 10
build tracks. using n million and a half
or perhaps two millions OF the avail
able funds. The main line OF the eX-
tensions 10 be built by the city would
undoubtedly be belt line around the
outskirts OF the city and crossing every
TRUNK. line OF the y. L. r.. with line
along the river front connecting the