The Detroit times., 1915-07-20
TO REVOKE
LICENSE Of
FERRY BOAT
The Mayor Will Cancel
Permit of the
Cadillac
CAPTAIN STRIKES
PARK DEPT. HEAD

the Belle Isle ferry, the captain OF
which. Edward NJ. Babcock. better
known as Red" Rabcock. struck
Park Commissioner Dust in the
face, Saturday evening. when the
commissioner tried 10 keep people
from boarding his vessel at the
Belle Isle dock.
Babcock appeared before Justice
Sellers. in police court, Monday
morning. charged with assault. The
case was continued until Thursday
10 allow both sides to prepare for
battle. Babcock was released on a
personal bond OF $500.
The Cadillac Is owned by Mrs. T.
NJ. Moran. No. pa Hibbard-ave., who
paid $50 as license fee for the
privilege OF operating ferry carry
ing less than 500 people between
the city and Belle Isle. Mrs. Moran
will lose her $50. IL the mayor car.
ries out his threat. as he has
right 10 do under the charter and
ordinances.
The mayor was highly indignant
AZ the assault on Commissioner
Dust. The commissioner is getting
on in years, and his health has been
none too good for several months.
II the owners OF small ferries.
which have been barred from Belle
Isle BY Commissioner Dusts ruling
that only the large boats may carry
passengers 10 the island docks, want
a rght. they are likely 10 get plenty
OF IL from the park department. A
proposition is being discussed 10
rent FIVE or six OF the larger ferries
for the remainder Of the year. and
have them operated by park depart
meut employees. cutting OF all pri.
vate ferries. No money IS available
for the construction o. ferry boats
this year. under the fharter amend
ment ratified 10 days ago by the
people. An appropriation will have
TO be obtained from the common
council and Board Of Estimates.
next year. before these boats can
be built. Meanwhile. IL Is believed
that a solution OF the ferry prob
lem lies in the rental OF half
dozen boats and the elimination ~
all other members OF the mosquito
feet" The revenue obtained from
the operation OF these boats. II is
believed, would be sufficient TO pay
all expenses.
The trouble on the Belle Isle
dock. Saturday evening. happened
when a number OF people were
boarding the steamer Falcon. one OF
the larger vessels which are per
mitted 10 use the island dock. Bah
cock. whose boat was also at the
dock. opened one OF the gates near
his boat, so that he would get some
OF the traffic. Commissioner Dust,
who happened to be at the dock. or
dered Babcock to close the gate,
and when he refused, tried TO close
/, himself. Babcock then. accord
ing to witnesses, struck the commits
sioner In the face. Babcock then
departed across the river In his
boat. Mrs. Moran. owner OF the
vessel, advised him to go back and
give himself up. Babcock did so.
and was taken to the McClellan-ave.
police station. He was released.
early Sunday morning. by order OF
Justice Sellers.
IF don't get some support from
the city in my fight to regulate the
Belle Isle ferry boat trafiic, viii
throw up my hands and let the small
boats run as they damned please.
said Commissioner Dust, Monday.
Il am being subjected to all kinds
of verbal abuse by the ferry boat
operators. and even physical vio-
lence has been used against me. /
don't feel that I have TO stand Tor
that sort OF treatment
why doesn't the mayor revoke
the license OF the small boats oper.
ating contrary to your orders" was
asked.
Well. that brings the mayor into
the 1ght-you will have to speak TO
him about that" replied the commits
sioner. II have been informed that
as park commissioner ! have the alb
soIute control OF. the island docks.
hu, unless am supported by more
adequate legislation In the stand
that have taken. ] will give up
rather than be the goat"
The commissioner Is attempting
to restrict the ferry trafhc between
the island and the dock at the
bridge approach to siv large boats
The small boats, numbering more
than q dozen have refused to leave
the run, although the commissioner
fas informed the operators that he
vii! not redeem the passenger tick.
cts they turn In. The government
officials are keeping a close watch
on the boats to see that they COM
ply with the federal marine laws
The police are po~eriess TO inter.
ferc unless there II an alteration
or disturbance on the docks.
The commissioner will make