The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-01-15


No matter what the decision of the
supreme court may be on Aid. YER
ror's petition for a mandamus TO com.
pei the submission of his civil service
bill along with the Thompson-Hutch-
ms franchise and the Gilman mum.
cipal ownership amendment, the fran.
chise howlers are on the run. They
realize fully that the weight of public
sentiment is against the franchise
and they are nearly frantic. The latest
development in the campaign, which
is now entering on it's last week, is a
movement to postpone the election.
Already Aid. McCarty, one of the
out-and-out municipal ownership ad.
vocates in. the council, has been APP
preached with a suggestion TO put
the election over TO a later date, but
he has refused to entertain such a
proposition, and attempt in this direc-
ton, Tuesday night, will probably be
strenuously opposed by the friends OF
municipal ownership. even though the
supreme court should hold that the
Gilman amendment is unconstitu-
tional and cannot be submitted at this
time.
Should this be the decision of the
court the Thompson-Hutchi fran
chise would be submitted alone, Jan.
30, and its fate would be sealed In
advance, for II the Gilman amend
ment is illegal then the option clause
in the franchise is worthless until
the charter Is revised. because the
city could not take advantage of the
option until it had the authority un.
der its charter to own and operate
street railways.
On the other hand, should the Gin.
nan and Vernon amendments be found
constitutional and the latter should
be ordered submitted along with the
Gilman measure and the franchise,
the mayor and HIS advisors would be
very much disappointed. They fought
hard to keep the Vernon amendment
OFF the ballot, for the mayor has a
little civil service scheme OF his own
TO spring little later.
But no matter what action the su-
preme court may take. the franchise
appears to be done for, which ac-
counts for the rumors of a postpone
ment OF the election. The franchise
howlers are In no position to advocate
delay. however, for they fixed the date
themselves, and carried out their pro-
gram in the council with the aid of
the steam roller" They gloated over
their victory then; now is the opposi-
tons turn to laugh.
Aid. Gilman. father of the Gilman
amendment, declares he will oppose
any attempt TO postpone the election,
and il is believed he will have the
support OF a majority of the aldermen.
In the meantime, the city election
commission is making ready for the
election and the municipal ownership
advocates are preparing for an UNI
usually active week of campaigning.
The Board OF Commerce is arranging
tor numerous meetings during the
week The program calls for about 30
MONDAY meetings in factories and an
average OF six meetings per night in
churches.
The municipal ownership commit
tee held an enthusiastic meeting in
Manncbach's hall, Sunday afternoon,
and discussed campaign plans. The
committee decided to hold series OF
MONDAY meetings in the Federation OF
Labor hall, No "a Lafayette boule-
ward, beginning Tuesday, for the dis
cussion of the franchise. The commit
tee will meet again next Sunday after
noon, when challengers, witnesses
and precinct workers will be appoint
ed for election day. Already 225 men
have pledged their services for that
day.
The committee adopted resolutions
expressing high appreciation of the
courage and honesty of The Detroit
News and The Detroit Times In Their
steadfast adherence 10 the principle:
they have SO long advocated, and call
ing upon all fair-minded citizens tc
stand by and assist I'm all possible
ways the splendid fight which these
two newspapers are making for the
people OF this city"
The resolutions denounce the silly
effort of The Journal to make the peo
pie believe that the ID. L. X. IL oppos
ed to the franchise and that IL Is the
duty OF the voters TO cram the fran
chise down the ID. u. RS throat" as
an insult to the intelligence OF the
citizens and only another illustration
OF the trickery, fraud and deceit which
have characterized all OF the efforts
OF the franchise advocates from the
first inception OF the scheme"
The Board of Commerce was con
demned for the misleading and decep
tive methods employed in taking 1
referendum vote of it's members ant
in boosting the franchise by means o
advertising leaflets and biRboards
and the board was called upon 10 Gov
or up that portion OF its billboard an
, nouncements which declares that tn
advertising Is paid for by the boar,
as whole.
Three more unions, the Seamen's
Brewers and Composition Roofers
unions. are on record against the fran
| chise and adopted resolutions declar
ing themselves In favor OF municipa
ownership. The unions were ad
dressed by Justice Jeffries and Secre
tary Dalton. of the municipal owner
ship committee.
Judge Hally spoke briefly on thu
franchise i'm the Church OF Our Faith
or. Sunday morning. following tn,
regular morning service. and answered
number OF questions asked by the
members.
Walter r. Hamper. secretary anC
treasurer of the Globe Tobacco Co.
who is a member OF the Board Of