The Detroit times., 1913-05-30
Ultimatum to ID. u. X. as Result
of FOrt-st. Decision to BE
Delayed Until Court
Passes on M. o. Case
EXTREME CAUTION" Is
EXECUTIVES SLOGAN
Says He Wants to be in Position
to Enforce Demands on
Company When Made

No speedy ultimatum to the ID. U. r.
will be forthcoming from the city
hall. the mayor announcing. Thursday
morning that he had decided, after
holding several conferences with his
legal advisers, TO postpone definite
action until the state supreme court
passes on the legality Of the municipal
ownership charter amendment. At
torney Allan II. Frazer. the mayors
special adviser. has been informed
that the case will be argued during
the June term of the court, In which
event an early decision may be hoped
for
The mayors sudden determination
to postpone hostilities, awaiting the
action Of the court. came as q surprise
to many of his political friends who
have been demanding immediate &C.
ton. II may be several weeks before
q decision Is received from Lansing
The mayor says that he does not in
tend to be idle during the interim. but,
with the help OF his legal advisers.
will work out a plan to be submitted
to the d. u. X. when the proper time
arrives.
The mayors reason for advocating
delay Is that he wants to be In a posi-
ton to enforce the city's demands for
lower fares, better service and extern
sions by being ready to GUST the d.
L. r. from the streets, should tho
city's demands be refused, and TO pro-
coed at once with the construction Of
municipal lines. At the present time
the city is without funds to provide
transportation In the event OF the d.
L. r. vacating FOREST. but as soon as
the supreme court decides favOrauiy
on the municipal ownership case
and favorable decision Is expected
the city will be able to market $l0.-
900. 900 worth Of bonds, backed by the
credit OF the city. The mayor says he
has assurance that local capitalists
will subscribe for the greater portion
of the bond issue, so municipal opera
ton will not be held up pending the
marketing Of the bonds, which under
ordinary circumstances would require
some time.
Extreme caution. Is now the slo-
gan Of the mayor and his advisers In
handling the street railway situation.
he mayor hei danpther conference
with Allan IL. Frazer, his special
legal adviser. Thursday morning,
later making the announcement that
immediate action Is not to be taken.
I'VE have the advantage of the ID.
Y. r.. and we don't want to lose our
hold by attempting to ENFORCE any
drastic measures or hasty ultima
tums," said the mayor. Such move
at this time might lead to more legal
entanglements that would only de.
lay matters. Unless omething un-
foreseen arises to block our plans,
the road TO municipal ownership Is
clear after 20 years =! fighting with
the d. U. f. The company realizes
the superior strength OF our position
and have no doubt that we will be-
able to come to terms without much
trouble"
The mayor also intimated that
when the time for settlement
comes, the city will insist on the
ing to something like 100000. The
city now has suite pending against
the railway company for the collec-
ton Of these taxes.
The D. Y. r. attorneys are waiting
for the mayor TO act They Will
await the public announcement OF
the mayors plans before making
their position known. The mayor
and his advisers are doing their best
to prepare their plans without any
leak" but as the company knows
wei lenough by this time what de-
mands the city will make. II is con-
tent to sit tight until the city
makes the first move.
The disinterested attitude Of the
aldermen In the most recent devel-
opment of the street car controversy
Is noticeable. The aldermen appar-
emily are content to stand by and al
low the mayor to solve the problem.
In former administraiio ions. the alder
men took q very active interest in
all matters relating 10 the ID. ". H.,
but for some reason or other, tile
aldermanic body NO lsnger shouts de-
fiance at the street car company. The
mayor Is confident that he has the
support Of the aldermen in bia fight