The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-01-14

q
oentlcmen-Enteri tonight on the
second hair OF the term for which we
We're elected. ! feel that IL IL appro-
pirate 10 dwoll briefly on some OF the
problems which have confronted us
during the past year. several Of which
must yet be solved for the comfort
ana we'll being OF our people. Unbias-
cd inquiry VIII disclose that the year
1918 was constructive one IN mu-
nleipal affairs Not all OF the ambit-
lous program which we planned Tor
ourselves, on taking oath OF office,
mas been carried 70 completion but,
heVertheless. We may glance back with
more than "A slight degree OF satistac-
ZION, on accomplishments which have
spelled better things for the citizens
OF Detroit
The year Just ended was in nuner-
, Gus ways vital one 10 the city or
detroit. IL brought the crisis IN the
-O-year warfare with our ancient al
Nersary, the Detroit United railway,
eliminating Ia temporary settlement
or our differences with lower lares'
additional transfer priviieEes,, extern
taxes all OF which netted our people
benent ConserVativcly estimated as
worth si.500.000 per year. 1t witnessed
determined and sincere struggle Tor
the acquisition by the city. or the
street railway system, with the SUD
mission and adoption or a muhlcipal
ownership amendment and the appoint
nent or the first street railway CONF
mission, In the face OF what nj times
appeared as dishearteuing and insur-
mOuntable obstacles The submission
OF u civil service amendment It's rat
fcation. the selection or commission
and the establishment OF civil service
regulations In city departments ass
occurred. During the closing mon us
. OF the year the charter commission
completed IT'S task, leaving for our APP
prevail or rejection document pro-
Niding for numerous and vital altera
tions In our city government. II was
our pleasure TO lay constructive plans
for the establishment of a municipal
hospital. and last but not least, 10 OBJ
thn what ! feel confident Is a hGr s,
among the various departments, thah
has ever before existed In our city
In recounting the tasks which nave
been ours during a twelve month IL ~
not so much their Accomplishments az
~ generous spirit OF cooperation ana
assistance. given me- that IS SouiCe
az genuine pleasure. doubt II eve.
a chief executive OF this city, received
the whole hearted and continued sup
port such as II has been my good LOT
tune 10 be granted by the mcmne,s
OF the common councl ana % u, - ~
and employees In every branch or me
5 city service II mistakes have been
made in my administration. | am VIII
ing 10 assume the responsibility Iol
them. Not one can De charged 10 the
disloyalty, Indifference or neglect OF
your honorable body or ether pubic
Prominent among the problems
confronting us tonight. are the CON
, pletion OF plans for acquiring the
street railway system. with the speedy
construction OF badly needed extern
sions. and the preparation OF me
before the Michigan Railroad commits
sion. IN such manner that the inter-
ests or subscribers may be fully pro-
Unless the supreme court fails 20
sustain the decision or the WAYNE
County circuit judges, progress to
wards city ownership and operation
OF the traction sytem should De mos
speedy during the next few nonl.s.
AS 20 whether the companys property
should be condemned, purchased 1r new
lines constructed. I believe w may
with full confidence rely on the judg-
ment OF tho members Of the street
Under no circumstances must the
hight for the establishment OF city
ownership hc abandoned or delayed
The viii OF the people as Expressed
at the election last April, must be re
spected. The August Ith. asreement
granted no rights 10 the Detroit Unit
ed railway. While IL brought dement's
to our people. they are not SUCH rs
we must and VIII have The service -
not satisfactory today and VIII not ~
until the city is In possession 81 tle
system II Is no meager task bctore
As. bat it Is my ambition to wi't ii,,s9
the operation Of the first munlclpai
line in the city before our terms eN-
pire. ,.,,to,
on the Nerdicr bin be an untaNorable
one IL does not follow that We must
abandon all hope The cnhrttr 10 ~
submitted 70 the electorate next nontH
contains prov sions for city oWneIsiIIp.
In the minds or some. the revised zoe,
ument may cmbody certain laws anu
Inconsistencies Regardless Of these.
believe IL the duty Of every sflcet"
advocate OF municipal ownership 10
see that II is adopted. rather than 20
impede the progress oi CITY OWE y,
The defects In the charter may ."
eliminated by piccemeai amthcneht.
The construction OF the CrosstoWn
INC and the kercheval extension, as
Ira August t1l agree
iuent must progress az quickly as pos.
sIble In addition. | believe We should
Immediately renew our efforts TO nave
he Fourteenth line extended 10 the
Is Michigan Central depot for the accom-
;. notation Of the many residents IN the
northwestern section OF the CITY
TELEPHONE SERVICE.
Second only in Importance 10 INC
municipal ownership program among
the labors ahead OF us, IS me pt9psr
solution OF the telephone problem.
sybseribers for many months past
have Justly complained OF the service
rendered The situation has been tur-
Their complicated recently by the com
nany's application for the establish
ment OF metercd service in Detroit.
since the railroad commission serN
ed notice OF the application TOT
change OF service. / have been collect
inn data from a score OF cities IN tne
United states. which bclleEe VIZ
proye or value TO the speclal commit
the controversy. Metered service Is
now in effect in many or the citlt7
communicated with. but an eNaHsl"a
ton OF the correspondence theretrom
fails to show that the service mas pech
Improved by tho adoption OF the meas.
ured rate plan. on the contrary, II
has proved burden to all save the
telephone corporation.
officials OF the local company malnn,
tain that the measured rate plan VIII
materially better the service ny ~
rreasing the load on their wires. ~ ~
nv belief that unbiased telephone eN-
merits may suggest remedies TOT III
proving the service In prefer "Vo on
that proposed by the company. CD
viously the value OF the telephone Is
tts availability The metcred plan
would limit the usefulness or the teie-
phone. The telephone company IS Just
" entitled TO "A reasonable return on
It's Investment but not under any ar
rangement OF rates that VIII prove
burden and annoyance to telephone
subscribers -
Dctroit does not want metered ser
vice and should not be forced 10 take
A. our hght before the railroad com,
nnissfon should be n stubborn one ana
request that your honorable Douy
lcnd every assistance to- the srccial
rnrnmittee to the end that the hear
tag may be productive or be'ter ser
vice and not increased rates
XPENDITUEE OF CITY FUNDS
II is n srievous error for any admin
istration TO neglect those public I'M
nroyempnts essential to the welfare
and health Of the populace, for the
sake OF keeping down the tax rate.
a city for such tremendous growth as
that Of Detroit, must increase It's bud
get each year 20 meet requirements
netroit long ago assumed metropoli-
tan proportions. II must appropriate
| sdeoIate sums for police protection.
school and sewer construction, water