The Detroit times., 1913-03-08
FRAME PLAN FOR
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP



OF elected At large, he left the meet
Ing To attend to other business. John
McVicar. regarded as the father OF
the municipal ownership organization,
was present TO voice his sentiments
and criticise certain sections of the
bill. Justice Jeffries arrived late, but
he plunged right into an argument
with Corporation Counsel Lawson aud
the members OF the committee. IT,,
city's attorney was inclined 10 be
rather curt in his replies 10 the
judges numerous questions, aud the
committee members also displayed
their impotence when the Judge halt
ed the proceedings TO attack or
criticise certain sections in the bill.
The committee was almost unani-
nous in giving the mayor the appoint
ment OF the five commissioners, but
Aid. Littleiield vas inclined TO think
that the people ought TO have voice
In the selection OF the commissioners.
This is the peoples measure,
said the alderman, and there is no
reason why the people cannot elect
as competent men as the mayor can
select"
The aldermans protest resulted in
a proviso. giving the people the pow
er OF electing the commissioners on
demand.
Aid. Lodge said he favored putting
the subway proposition and an elevat-
ed railway proposition. II one should
turn up, In the hands OF the street
railway commission so as 10 prevent
a multiplicity OF commissions.
Get a commission of high-class
business men such as we have and
have always had on our appointive
boards and the city can be assured
that the municipal ownership PROPOSE
ton will be given the proper kind
of q start" said Aid. Lodge
II might mention the possibility OF
an elevated system III the future. Now
when there Is SO much discussion re-
garding the Fort-st. line. and the ad-
vocates OF municipal ownership agree
that the real success OF the city will
be In competing lines, l want TO ask
how are We going TO parallel the Fort
line except by an elevated road? My
objection TO an elevated road Is that
il spoils our esthetic view. but We
have In Detroit condition that
makes the proposition OF an elevated
road an ideal one. refer 10 the old
River road running clear through to
Wyandotte. The elevated road could
follow this route and II would not In
jure property valuations one bit, be-
cause for the greater distance it
would be built on city property"
Aid. Vernon agreed with Lodge in
giving the commission q wide scope
in which to work out transportation
problems.
Following along the line of argu-
ment advanced by Aid. Lodge and
Vernon, l agree that the subway, sur
face and elevated propositions must
all be worked out together said the
mayor. In the eastern cities all
these projects are handled by COM
missions appointed by the mayor and
approved by the common council
Aid Owen let the cat out OF the bag
by remarking that conversation he
had overheard while in the city hall
led him TO believe that the council
would be jealous in not having voice
In the selection Of the commissioners
and In not having the council repre-
scented on the commission.
The section as passed in committee
reads that the board of street railway
commissioners consisting Of FIVE mem
bers appointed by the mayor and con-
firmed by the common council shall be
appointed for terms Of one, two, three,
four and five years respectively, their
successors TO be appointed at the
termination Of their respective terms
for term Of five years. This will
allow the appointment Of new com.
missioner every year, constantly put.
ting new blood In the board. The
electors, by q majority vote, can
change the law making the commits.
sion an elective one.
In advocating an appointive COM
mission, Aid. Lodge said that the city
could secure the services Of such men
as Hugh Chalmers, Henry Ford,
Charles c. jerks. Andrew H. Green.
Jermiah Dwyer and others to serve on
the honorary board.
The resolution accompanying the
amendment which goes to the common
council next Tuesday night, reads as
follows:
Resolved. That this body by
twO-thirds vote Of the members
elect propose an amendment to
the charter OF the city of Detroit
whereby said city is authorized to
acquire by purchase or condemna-
ton and TO own and operate street
railways within the city Of Detroit
and Iithin q distance Of 10 miles
from any portion OF its limits.
The civil service amendment, which
10 the same as the Vernon civil SER
vice bill. drafted two years ago, will
also be forwarded to the council by
The committee. Corporation Council
Lawson has not yet completed the
1raft of the amendment to Increase
The bonding limit for public utility
purposes or the one to give the water
BOARD financial assistance. He ex.
poets to have both Of these amend
nents ready before next Tuesday
evening.
To Produce Passion Play.
The Rev. NJ. II. Germans arrange