The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-09-13
What We Want, Aid. Vernon,
Is Municipal Ownership

Writes AID James Vernon TO The
Times, anent the agreement between
the street railway commission and the
Detroit United railway for the pur-
chase of the lines by the municipality at
a price to be fixed by the circuit judges
after transfer of the property:
To me this entire subject has ceased 70 be one
OF Just how we can BEST accomplish the obtain
ing Of control Of the lines or even Just EXACT
LY what the cost shall be. but has become a
question OF the speediest method Of providing
the accommodations that they are entitled 70.
for rhe people that are obliged 70 use street
cars. those accommodations which they have
been. are now. and will continue 20 be deprived
Of. unless the Detroit United Railway is removed
from the control OF the street railway system up
on which we are obliged 20 rely.
We require more trackage and We require q
NOW. Is there a single person In Detroit that
expects those tracks will be built unless we give
someone a franchise or build them ourselves
Have we not had II proven beyond all doubt
that no further franchises VIII be granted BY the
people to the present operating company
DO we desire to continue. indefinitely. this
fruitless discussion and demand for municipal
ownership and set aside the only really work
able plan that has ever been suggested
Is 1t not high time that something Is accom-
plished that win make sanitary. comfortable and
pleasureable car riding possible?
II Is not so very long ago when We used
to take our families on the street cars on
warm evening. for pleasant ride in which they
cooled OF preparatory to a comfortable nights
rest
DO you find anyone doing that now
VIII you not suggest TO Mr. May that the
huge stone which he has permitted 70 fan fu
"the road TO municipal ownership may really
be moved away, through the use OF those In.
Vulnerable little wheels-the street car riders
pennies--for those same pennies. with which The
car rider has in the past been building and
maintaining the city hnes-and possibly inter.
urban weIl--wiH be the medium through
which. alone. may acquire the present clty
system and add to the same The very much
needed Improvements
When this country, fifty years ago. desired
TO change its financial system back 10 a gold
basis, from the paper currency thar our neces.
stiles had forced Us 70 adopt 70 cover cour.
try's crisis. II was found. beyond ar question.
that the way 70 resume was 70 resume
II NAV equally well be said now. that the wav
10 have municipal ownership is 70 have munich
pal ownership
Let US stop splitting hairs and BY an getting
together accomplish something worth while FOR
the city and give US time TO think OF something
other than this almost threadbare worn sub
ject.
We are with you, alderman.
We have been insisting in these col
umns for nearly Is years that the solu-
ton of Detroit's traction problem lies in
municipal ownership and operation.
We were so insisting when the idea
wasn't as popular hereabouts as il is to-
day and when some ofiiceholders and
some newspapers were consequently not
as keen for it as they are today.
We were for municipal ownership when
1t was associated with the red flag Of
anarchy in the minds of citizens who had
failed to give the matter any thought.
and even by officeholders and newspapers
who are for 1t, or who say they are for it.
today.