The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-08-04
From the Department Of Public
Works.


To the Honorable the Common COUNCIL:
Gentlemen June 18th. u. {. c.
lO5Sl, "A resolution by Aid Barnett
was adopted requesting advice as 70
whether the Commissioned OF fuoiic
Works desired 10 have all permits
heretofore granted by the Common
Council FOR the use or occupation OF
any portion OF the public highways
or streets with distractions rescind-
ed
Whsp n5s1 Ss.sTe o r0nP PSs,s
Works | found the sidewalks IN
many places particularly In the
down town district, greatly obstruct-
ed with fruit lands, shoe shining
stands. show cases and other miscei-
the Common Council showed that
efforts had been made ny my prede-
cessor To effect the removal OF these
ohstructions. under the authority OF
Aid Lynch. as follows November
26th.. December 10th: 1912, and OF
Aid Allan. January 7th. 1918"
These EFFORTS had all been blocked
by litigation In the courts, which on
the application OF the owners OF the
stands had granted restraining In
functions against the city from any
Interference with their enterprises
Finally. after my accession TO TINS
office decisions In favor OF the city
Cuit and afterwards affirmed by the
supreme court January Eth, 1914.
reported 20 your Honorable Body the
removal OF 81 fruit and IS miscei-
laneous stands,
The original resolution introduced
by Alderman Lynch. November 18th.
1919. u. G. C.--iss0l directed the
removal OF distractions OF every ma
ture. whatever. occupying puouc
property. but IL later appeared to be
the desire OF the Council to eliminate
the shoe cases from the scope OF
the resolution and limit the prohibit
ton TO. stands from which goods or
merchandise are sold and shoe-shin-
ing and similar structures. The re-
port OF the committee which was
finally adopted states they believed
the resolution by Aid Lynch was too
drastic" and further we do not feel
that at IN" present time this body
should compel merchants TO remove
their show cases or that they be in
terfered with In displaying the goods
7th. 1919. PAGE $500,
After the removal OF the fruit
stands the show cases and gasoline
stands began TO multiply very rapidly
on our streets and Sidewalks. both In
number and size. Many OF these were
erected on permits granted by resolu.
ton Of your Honorable Body and
others were erected without any per-
u1its whatever This Department has
respected all permits for show cases.
etc. issued by direction of your Hon
orable Body hut many 81 those erect
ed without such permits have been
removed by the owners on notice, or
summarily removed by this Depart
ment After the amendment was
adopted AT the election last Novem-
Der DENYING the right 10 your Hon
many concessions for gasoline stands
and show cases have been granted by
the Council and all such have been
respected by me.
Recently. however. owing 20 the
fact that some showcases have been
built. extending out into the side
walks as much as four 90 feet. with
out permits. the Department remov-
ed number OF cases and served no
tees on large humber OF others 10
remove same on or before July 18th.
last past A storm Of protest was
received. not only from the owners
OF the cases but from many other
citizens. begging that the order be
In reply TO the resolution Of Aid
Barnett. I beg TO say that the Com
missioner OF Public Works has no
personal motives or ambitions to
His only object has been 20 keep en-
croachments of the streets and
walks. over which his department,
has jurisdiction so Tar "a keeping
them IN sdte Condltlon Tor the. var
ious kinds OF traffic The work OF
removing show cases was taken up
by the Department because OF the
large increae In number and size
Of show cases being built encroach-
ing on our sidewalk space
IL IL apparent that my attitude and
actions in regard to the removal OF
show cases and gasoline stands are
unpopular. not only with interested
parties and many OF our respect ed
citizens bat with the members Of
your Honorable Body. for I am able
to detect no change In the sentiment
OF the council since the adoption OF
the resolution OF January Eth. 1918.
as evidenced by recent resolutions
permitting same.
As above stated have been only
Influenced by my desire 20 keep the
streets and sidewalks Of the city
clear ot obstructiorr Tor the use NJ
the general public. which As under
stand ~ In the purpose for Shichthey
are designed. Il have no NdesHe 10
institute n single handed nehtfto en-.
force ordinances and regulations 90
evidently unpopular and will there
fore not initiate any action sgainst
them In future, except on the speci-
nc direction OF your Honorable Body.
As matter OF record N may be
observed that on the First of July
there were 200 show cases encroscn.
Ing on public space. and OF these ~
only have permit for the same from
the Common Council
Respectfully submitted
GEORGE II. FENK ELL
Commissioner.