The Washington times., 1914-06-27
DETROIT, WASHINGTON.
AND PUBLIC OWNER
SHIP.

| Detroit, according 10 the census oI
1910, has about four inhabitants to
every three in Washington. There
fore a civic reform that would save
the people of Detroit S4,000,G00 in a
year, if applied and equally success
full here, should save the people OF
Washington 100000.
Detroit is one of the most progress
sive and fast-growing cities in the
country. 1t is wide awake to all op-
portunities for advancement, and has
been for a long period struggling
with its franchised public service
corporations in the effort to force
better conditions from them. Mu-
nicipal ownership sentiment is very
strong in the city.
Former Congressman Albert n.
Todd of Detroit has recently re-
turned from a four-months' tour in
Europe, devoted to the study of civic
affairs and especially to the opera
ton of municipally-owned street car
systems. 1t should be borne in mind
that municipal ownership of car sys-
TENS is fast becoming the rule. rath-
er than the exception, in the cities
Of Europe.
Mr.. Todd returned to Detroit with
the results of his studies, and was
invited to tell the board of COM
merce what he had learned and what
he had concluded. He was given a
rousing meeting and his conclusions
were received with much enthusiasm.
He told the Detroiters that his
town, by owning street car, gas, and
electric lighting plants, and opcrat-
ing them, would save just about S4,-
100000 a year; that is, nearly $40
per capita OF the population; $50 per
average family.
Moreover, Mr.. Todd proved his
case. He compared in detail the op-
erations and results, as between the
public and the private properties of
this class. In part he said:
The public ownership and operation
of public utilities is one of the most
natural and essential functions of gov
eminent. 1t is as sound economically
in practice as l had considered II in
theory. In every country and in every
case, whether municipal or national, it
promoted general prosperity, public JUS
uce and political purity.
1t should be Self-eyident that since
public ownership makes every employe
a partner in the business by virtue oil
his citizenship. employees could not
help but feel greater interest in their
work.
The fares usually vary from l to
cents in our money. according to dis
tance.
But YOU ask, with fares in America
ranging from cents TO 8 cents, and
with only moderate dividends to stock
holders. could a municipal system pr
vide first class service at 2 cents with
out a loss! l answer most decidedly.
yes"
Mr.. Todd then gave financial items on
street railways operation in several
European cities.
The substance of his conclusions is as
follows:
Street railway service and equipment
are higher in proportion to the buying
power Of the wage, than under private
ownership in America.
1t promotes general prosperity. pub
lie justice and political purity.
The quasi official relation of en-
ployes under municipal ownership gives
them an added interest and pride In
their work
first class service in America at cents
without a loss.
Detroit should save s.. .434 $50 annually
with municipality owned street rail-
way.
II should save with municipal gas.
s.. .4ss. $50: and on electricity. s1.154.34s.
This would be a saving on the three
utilities Of A,057, ,s92, the figures being
based on an analysis OF the cost OF
production at Leeds. a city the size Of
Detroit.
That sort Of doctrine "goes" with
the progressive business community
of Detroit. The town is making a
desperate fight to get control of its
franchised public utilities; it has
been engaged in that fight ever since
the days of Mayor Pingree. 1t has
forced Scent car fares on certain
lines, and proposes to have them on
all.
Why not the same kind of doctrine
for Washington. This city is Won
derfully like Detroit in many ways.
They are often coupled together by
travellers as the twin "parlor cities"
of the continent. Each has given
especial attention to it's park sys-
tenn and it's streets and avenues.
Each is city of trees; each has
population of unusually high intelli-
gence, and a business fabric that
stands for the largest average of
prosperity among all the people.
They are in the same class as to
population; and they are confronting
today the same general set of prob
lens involving their public utilities.
In each city the utilities are over
capitalized, service is unsatisfactory,
charges too high. Detroit is deter
mined to settle the issue for all time
by bringing about public ownership.
Why not Washington, too?