The Detroit times., 1912-01-23
FIVE THOUSAND CROWD
ARM0RY TO MAKE PROTEST
AGAINST FRESH FRANCHISE
Wild Roar of 'No" Answers
Chairman's Query, "How
Are You Going To Voter"
NEVER AGAIN. SAYS DUST
Says No Public Official Will
Ever Dare Propose Franchise
For Service Company
NEVER AGAIN. SAYS DUST

The Light Guard armory was pack
ed to the doors, Monday night, on the
occasion OF the anti-franchise mass
meeting arranged by Water Commits
s.oner John Gillespie and others. The
crowd was estimated at fully 5000
and there were many women present.
The meeting was In the nature OF a
Email protest against the Thompson
Hutchins franchise, and the voters, II
Is expected, will add the finishing
touches today. There were no less
than Ii stirring addresses during the
evening. and through II all the anti
franchise sentiment was strong. There
was just one dissenter, who insisted
on interrupting speakers with the
CRY, "Hurrah for Thompson" and sim
liar expressions. He finally subsidized.
however, when the crowd threatened
90 throw him out Outside of these
Incidents there was no disorder what
ever.
Just before the meeting broke up,
William T. Dust, who acted as chair
man or the meeting, asked:
Now that you nave heard the argu-
ments, would like to know how you
are going to vote?"
The answer was roar that could
be heard for blocks and II said. No. :
Mr. Gillespie called the meeting to
order and then called Mr. Dust to the
chair. Mr.. Dust declared that such
large attendance under the prevailing
weather conditions was pretty fair
indication of how the vote would go.
Il predict that after Tuesday night
no public official will ever dare to sub
NIT another franchise for public SER
vice corporation to the people OF De-
troit," he added, and his statement
brought prolonged applause Mr.. Dust
gave figures showing that the Codd-
Hutchins franchise, which was turned
down by the people, was far more
advantageous proposition In the mat
ter OF fares than the one proposed by
the mayor.
Aid. Thomas Gilman. father OF the
Gilman municipal ownership charter
amendment, which was TO have been
submitted to the voters along with the
franchise plan until the supreme
court upset the program, was given a
great ovation when he was introduced
as the first speaker. He discussed the
franchise at some length. pointing out
numerous defects.
he REV. EuBtuc ~ 0hippch, peSNOh
OF the First Unitarian church, inject
ed a bit OF humor in his talk, which
greatly pleased his hearers. His gen.
eral argument was that all franchises
are anti-social.
I'VE must not sell, much less give
away, our rights" he said.
Anthony Entenza. chairman OF the
union labor committee that is enlisted
In the fight against the franchise.
called attention to the fact that the
advocates OF the plan are distributing
literature that does not bear the union
label.
Union men," he declared, does not
that alone show you that the Detroit
United Railway is not our friend?"
The answer was q loud burst OF ap-
plause.
Horatio s. Earle. former state high
way commissioner, made hit with
the crowd by drawing a comparison
between the Boston tea party and
proposed surrender to the ID. U. K
Other speakers were Police Justice
Jeffries, F. F. Ingram, f. A. Burch, D.
w. Simons, Aid. James Vernon, Aid.
Charles E. McCarty, Attorney + ]. b.
Sevald, w. w. Chaplin and Proctor X.
Owens. The last named was not on
the regular list, but was called for by
the audience and was received with
cheers.