The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-01-31


trying 10 defeat the new charter
and In that way prevent the gog
eminent OF Inc city from being
brought nearer TO the people
We further regret taat our
mayor who WAS elected upon his
solemn pladge that he would do all
In his power 20 secure municipal
ownership has not kept his pledge.
On the contrary he has at tho
eleventh hour turned against mu-
nicipal ownership by advocating
the defeat OF the new charter
We urge all who favor munici-
pal ownership 20 redouble their
efforts 10 win over for the new
charter those, ii any, who are ,still
In doubt as 70 their best interest
and the best interest of the city
On behalf OF the SO per cent OF
the people OF Detroit who voted
for municipal ownership we ap-
peal 10 all citizens regardless OF
their personal views who believe
in government by the people to
support the new charter. thus
giving proper effect to the voice
OF the people as expressed at the
polls last April.
CITIZENS MUNICIPAL
OWNERSHIP COM MlTTEE.
c. VI. Burton, one OF the Is mem
beers OF the charter commission who
signed the document, announces that
he has withdrawn his support from
the instrument. He says that since
the Nerdier bill has been sustained.
his reasons for opposing the charter
have been strengthened
This remark must be taken in con-
nection with Mr.. Burton's fight
against municipal ownership. on The
floor OF the charter commission and
as "a member OF the municipal own.
ership committee. Again ana again
Mr.. Burton attacked the municipal
ownership provisions. The very first
proposal introduced in the charter
was one from Mr.. Bur.
ton providing for street railway
board OF five members 20 decker with
the ID. L. X. Mr.. Burton made no Sc
cret OF HIS opposition to municipal
ownership. He tainted the majority
members OF the committee with the
city's inability To establish IL, after a
fight OF many years. In meeting after
meeting. he argued against the NUM-
cipal ownership provisions and at
tempted To have them altered, until
Commissioners Ingram. Ahern. Cor.
man and Funk were forced 10 shut
down on him and refuse 10 consider
his suggestions.
In connection with other parts OF
the charter. Mr.. Buttons work was
very valuable, but when the mum.
cipal ownership provisions were con
sidered, he was the greatest obstacle
in the commissions way
AS an enemy OF municipal owner.
ship. Mr.. Burton is quite consistent
In favoring the present charter. the
municipal ownership amendment OF
which is unavoidable. and refusing to
vote for the new charter, the public
ownership terms of which are de
clared by the 3est legal advice TO be
the best that have been devised
Commissioner Ahern declared. Sat
urday, that Mr.. Burton consistentlv
opposed nearly every progressive rea.
ture In the new charter.
He was agains, the minimum wage
and nearly all the other provisions
for better conditions for the work
ers" Mr. Ahe-n said.
COMMISSIONED Ingram addressed the
College club In the Elliott-Taylor
Woolfenden cafe, at 1880 Saturday
afternoon.
The following meetings are schedui
ed for Saturday evening Eolys Fam
lily church hall. Justice Jefrr!es. Mold
ers No. 81. No. Z73 Gratiot-ave.. Sam
Tobin; Sanitary Wagon Drivers. DIX
and Vinewooda Antonio Entenza
and Thomas II. Ahern: Roofers. No
235 Gratiot-ave.. Robert Taylor and
Sam Tobin.
Edwin DENLY will speak in the First
Congregational church, Woodward and
Forest-ayes.. Sunday morning at 10:3O
The Printers will meet in the Fed
Grafton OF Labor hall at o'clock sun
day afternoon. Mr. Tobin will address
them. The Stereotppers will meet IL
Prismatic hall. az o'clock, and will
be addressed by Mr.. Entenza AT IL
a. m. the Billposters will meet, and
Mr. Tobln will talk 10 them.
Ralph Hall Ferris was not dis
turbed when he learned that Mayor
Marx had tossed his challenge TO q
debate into the waste basket.
THE mayors treatment of the chal
lenge is only what was 10 have beer
expected said Mr.. Ferris Il have
courteously asked the mayor 10 pre-
sent a bill OF particulars of the de
fects which he alleges the new char
ter contains. This he has refused 70
do. Does be desire the voters 10 In
fer -that the real reason for his op
position is OF such a nature that il
will not bear the pitiless light OF pub
lie scrutiny?
The mayor ostensibly bases his
opposition 10 the new charter on the
ground that the new charter will
breed any amount OF litigation and
that. therefoge, It is the part of wis
dom TO reject the new charter and
be content with piecemeal amend
ment of the present charter.
Is not the mayor aware that all
new legislation, whether complete
charter or a piecemeal amendment OF