The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-07-28
MOORE FROWNS
ON THE MAYORS
LATEST CAR PLAN
Sees Danger of ID. L. X. Ac-
curing Fresh Rights by Pro-
posed Scent Fare
SAYS CITY OWNERSHIP Is
WHAT PEOPLE DEMAND
Declares Marx Should Press
Toward Goal. Avoiding Dan
gerOus Side-Plays

George William Moore. municipal
ownership advocate. does not think
that Mayor Marx and his political ad-
visers will accomplish anything OF
great benefit TO the citizens of Detroit
by having the council pass a resolu-
ton declaring three cents the legal
rate of fare on the streets where the
companys franchises have expired
Mr.. Moore. who made a deep study OF
the street car question, thinks the
mayor has made another step in the
wrong direction. as far as municipal
ownership is concerned.
For 20 years the people of Detroit
have been paying five-cent fares, ana
am sure that they can continue TO
pay that rate for a few months longer,
pending municipal ownership" said
Mr.. Moore.
The Municipal Ownership commit
tee was organized for the purpose OF
helping the city get municipal owner
ship, the question OF fares never being
considered. II Mayor Marx would only
go straight ahead and bend a., his en-
ergies 10 securing municipal street
railway system, either by purchase,
condemnation or construction. he
would have the solid backing and ap-
prevail of a big majority of the people
in Detroit. II seems strange that all
our mayors are anxious to dicker with
the II. L. r.. and that every dicker
involves a franchise
THE Marx ordinance was poor
proposition for a temporary settle
ment, and | would also be afraid of a
resolution. Unless the resolution Is
very carefully drawn 1t might give
the d. u. r. rights in the streets where
they are now trespassers. We are not
half as anxious for three-cent fares as
we are for municipal ownership. and
the mayor knows that. Any attempts
to dicker or force concessions from
the company while we are waiting for
the courts 10 perfect our municipal
ownership machinery should be frown-
cd on. for they are likely 10 get US
into more legal difficulties with the
u. L. r.
IF the resolution is passed | think
that the u. o. r. will be able to Sc
cure an injunction preventing the en-
forcement of it's terms. The Hally or
dinance provided for a three-cent rate
of fare and the d. U. r. Immediately
secured an injunction. The case Is
still in the courts. | doubt II the fact
that the companys franchises have
expired on some of the streets since
that time will make any material diff
ference | would want 10 study the
mayors three-cent resolution very
carefully before the council passes 1t.
Then there is the possibility OF
getting into an ugly fight with the ID.
L. r. If the people persist in paying
three-cent fare The people of De-
troit have no use for the ID. T. r after
years of fighting. and II will not take
much TO incite mobs to violence.
should say that on the face of 1t, the
mayors latest plan looks like very
dangerous undertaking at this time.
There is no use endangering lives and
property when the fight can be car
ried on along the lines of municipal
ownership without resorting 10 ques-
tionable tactics.
las have always said. Mayor Marx
is to be given credit for the progress
he has made In the municipal owner
ship fight. but II is 10 be hoped that
he will not father any proposition that
is likely TO endanger the big issue"
II Is the mayors present plan to
have the council pass the resolution
and sew IL up Tuesday night, so
that he can sign the proceedings the
next day putting the resolution into
immediate effect
The mayor was In jovial mood,
Saturday morning and was inclined
10 be facetious in his discussion OF
his latest plan.
Never fear. will get three-cent
fares for the people right away de-
clared the mayor II am not forget
ting municipal ownership for a min
ute and every move made by me is
along the lines Of municipal owner
ship In a year from now We will
own every track and street car I'm the
city
1T has been said that this present
| plan was devised by Police Commits
sioner John Gillespie ~ am not areu-
ing about that because don't want
the glory as long as I get the results
will father any proposition that
|