The Detroit times., 1913-08-01
Thinks Paralleling COmpany's
Tracks i'm Attempt TO Bring
Concern TO Time Would BE
Waste of Money
WILL NOT PARTICIP ATE IN
TEMPORARY BARGAINING
Says Commission Must Steer
Very Straight Course 10
NJ. o. Goal

ITO municlpalize the street railway
system IA Detroit as economically aud
as quickly AS possible viii be my aitti
as a member Of the first railway com.
mission said James CouZens. seCre-
tary and general manager OF the Ford
Motor Co. president of the Detroit
Board OF Commerce, and the man Sc
lected by the mayor 70 serve with
John F. Dodge and William d. Mahon
on the street car board.
The street railway commission can
have absolutely no dealings or dlcker-
hugs with the D. L. r. other than with
the specific purpose in view OF buying
the company's property" he contin-
ued
II think II would be a willful waste
OF money TO attempt TO parallel the
company's tracks.
Il do not see why. instead of going
to court TO condemn the property OF
the company, a course that is open 20
aus If we cannot arrange for purchase
by the city, the railway commission
could not act as judges and fix rea-
sonab> price What is the difference
as far as the city or the company Is
concerned, between a judicial verdict,
the opinion OF l2-man jury. or the
fair, unbiased opinion of the three
men composing the street railway
commission?
The railway commission has a big
job on It's hands. but think the task
can be accomplished in due time.
ANY temporary settlement plans
that the mayor may have must be in
dependent OF the commission AS pri-
vate citizens the members OF the com
mission. know. would be glad to give
the mayor what assistance they could
In the way of advice or investigation.
In connection with any plan he might
have, but II would not do for the com
missioners TO officially take part IN
any such proceedings. Our hands must
be absolutely free 10 work for munic
ipal ownership II the mayor wants
to get lower fares or something like
that. pending municipal ownership.
why that Is up to him. II We were TO
take part In any plan that involved
"a temporary settlement with the COM
pany, and II fell through. then the
prestige of the commission would be
forever lowered in the estimation or
the public. and the cause OF municipal
ownership would be permanently in,
jured. We must steer very straight
course.
The newspapers have said SO many
nice things about the personnel OF the
commission that every man on the
board feels that he simply must make
good. for one will bend all my ener-
gies to making the work of the com.
mission a success. ! know that Mr..
Dodge is a capable man. Mr. Mahon
l have not yet had the pleasure OF
meeting.
IF / have any plans at this time
and TO tell the truth have not been
able to give the matter as much care
full study as | would like since the
mayor minated to me that he wanted
me on the commission would hest
tate to mention them have not
talked any municipal ownership mat
tiers over with the other commission
ers. Something that might advocate
very strongly at this time, might be
proven by the other two commission
ers to be absolutely out OF the ques-
ton. When | make up my mind OH
anything | like TO go right through
with It,
Therefore. do not think It is we'll