The Detroit times., 1913-03-11
VISION MAKES WARM
REPLY TO CRITICISM


VlsiouS Oh the original, mOulueQ 10
safeguard the interests Of the city.
When a bill does that, then | think
that the man who drafted the new
bill has fulfilled his duty to the city
as an honest, God-fearing city official
Who are these men that charge
me with deceit, fraud, falsehood? No
man has ever before charged me with
such Infamous offences. l have dealt
honorably and fairly with all city OF.
flcials. Ny word, my honor. my In
tegrity, have been attacked In this url-
warranted manner. 1t took me years
to build up my reputation, and I am
not going to have 1t destroyed by
man with no responsibility"
Then the corporation counsel went
on to compare the bill he prepared
with the Moore bill as 1t was printed
In the council proceedings of 1911.
rs there anything dangerous and
vicious In having the Endorsement OF
the people on proposition involving
the expenditure of $10.000.000?" he
asked These men will tell you that
there Is q hidden attempt In that sec
ton to kill municipal ownership in
Detroit Well IL there Is don't know
conform with the law.
They will tell you there is some
lurking evil in Section No. TO-"
Lawson read the section and the
aldermen agreed with him that the
only change was in the one to two per
cent. as provided for In the new home
rule bill.
These changes we're made with
"a q al Pro- 4 he
First and Second wards" Lawson
ontinued. They are men whose hon
esty and integrity have never been
questioned by any man. l hope that
when l am as old as Aid. Vernon the
people will regard me as highly. !
told them 1t safeguarded the city and
that 1t was a splendid measure. Have
they questioned my honesty?
If we are going to have municipal
ownership let us tell the people how
to get 1t. 1t is the intent of the con-
stitutton and all legislation that the
property taken by the city should pay
the bill. That is the language OF the
Moore bill itself. l am surprised to
see the father Of the bill deny the
product Of his own brain at this time.
Regarding the section which says that
the city shall not bond the system
until security franchise has been
agreed to-well the language Is the
same In the old bill.
Aid. Field suggested that the coun-
ell adopt resolution expressing the
confidence Of the aldermen In the
honesty and integrity OF Mr.. Lawson
as a city Official Aid. Lodge supple
mented Aid. Fields remarks by re-
senting In the strongest language the
imputation on the honesty Of the cor
poration counsel Aid. Vernon also
expressed surprise at the thought OF
attacking the honesty or ability OF
Mr. Lawson.
John McVicar, who made the re-
mark which caused all the BILE,
said that mountain was being made
out OF molehill, but he added that
he had nothing to retract from the
statement he made Monday.
Edward Fitzgerald. mayors secre-
tary, read report OF his conference
with Commissioner Witt of Cleve-
land. in which the commissioner APP
proved the general tenor OF the
municipal ownership amendment, but
suggested several changes which will
be taken up before the measure Is re-
ported out to the common council.
II was decided to vest the power
Of supervision of the municipal rail-
way system in one man instead OF a
board OF five. as first suggested. the
salary OF the comm issioner to be de-
Lermined by the common council
Also on suggestion Of George w.
Moore. Trainer OF the old municipal
ownership plan, II was decided to
combine Sections and 8. cutting
out the words IF il be found imprac-
ticable or impossible to make pur-
chase or lease" which Mr.. Moore OBJ
! jected TO on the ground that the
| language prohibits the city from
; building If il wanted TO. The com
mittee also changed the wording so
as To make II possible 10 submit the
Iuuestion OF bonds and the proposition
Of acquiring the railway system mt
the same time. This vas done for
the purpose of doing away with an
extra election.
After some discussion the commit
| tee decided TO add to the amendment
a. clause providing for arbitration OF
disputes between the city and the
EMPLOYEES OF the street railway.
! -------------
Miss MihoIand Helps chink.