The Detroit times., 1915-10-11

The cost Of the D. U. R. property is

the cost OF the ID. L. X. property Is
known.
"You approved that idea then. II
was right in 1906. II vas right in
1912 when YOU approved it. Has IL
become wrong since you were we'd
ded to the blank-check. pig ina
poke plan that will make the ID. L..
r. property within the one-fare rome
cost this city $4,000 900, IL il costs
Q cent. Has il become wrong be-
cause IL has been worked up by a
mayor who has flied the city Offices
with Detroit News nominees, and
by this wonderful trio OF million
jugglers to whose names YOU refer
SO frequently rs Endorsements OF
the prudence of the new shell game
to which you are coaxing the PEG
pie of this city.
Continuously you have been
harping upon the extensions the city
will get when the city owns the
property of the d. L. r. Did you
not persistently oppose the ordi-
nance of 1912, which specifically
provided for a north and snnth line
In the western part OF the city, q
line In the neighbcrhoot
OF Bagg-st. and a Kerchevai-ave. ex-
tension to the ST. Jean.rd.. all TO be
built tn 1912. besides an addition
each year Of Eve per cent 10 the
existing mileage OF the
city. Would not the ordinance you
opposed have by this time have pro-
vided upwards Of so miles OF the ex-
tensions you are still ciamoring for.
and continue TO automatically pro-
vide many new miles each year?
"You are clamoring for municipal
Did not the ordinance
you opposed provide for municipal
and was not the neutral
arbitrator OF the price to be appoint
ed by the circuit judges whose in
you opposed. and to
whom now. In an excess of virtue
you cannot pay too high compii-
ments7
THE ordinance OF 1912 provided
that the property only should be-
come security for any debt created
to buy it. You opposed that. in the
public interest. Today. you stand
sponsor for a public debt issue Of
$1,000. 900 TO help buy this prop
erty. and are publicly abetting
state tax commission increase OF
S400. 000, 900 more in the assessed
value of this city, so that $4,000.
900 more Of deDt-mxkfng power can
be created TO draw upon.
You are promoting an alleged
municipal ownership scheme which
will 30 through the courts for years
before the final appeals are taken
on the value of the property. Yet
four years ago you opposed a prac.
IDEAL purchase plan. which had q
million dollar bond behind 1t to in.
ssfe ~ good faith. Boes the sianh'
check plan seem more attractive
when there is no pledges that the
property II buys win be turned
over. promptly and with good IT,
tie.
1.-THE blank-check. pig-in-a-poke
settlement fails 70 measure TO any
of the standards you yourself set
four years ago. The application OF
each OF them shows II TO be defec-
tive from your own standpoint A
newspaper should be known for in
telligence, honesty. public interest
and prudence.
was the Detroit News honest
when It insisted on fixed price
four years ago. so,-it In -aishon.
cot when II dIsregards II today.
rs the Detroit News intelligent
when II denounced an ordinance
that absolutely provided for 80
miles Of extensions that would now
be built ana in use but for IL. and
n today pottering around trying 10
get the self.sanre extensions?
rs the Detroit News working to
the pubic interest when IL fought
tooth and nail. Q public ownership
plan. with q million-dolIar bond be
hind II. and q Ss,000-s-day penalty
for delay In turning over the prop
erty. when II today is q party To
the beginning of interminable iitiga.
lton to settle the Yricey
rs the Detroit News prudent
when II asks the people to commit
tbemseives to an obligation the ex-
lent Of which no man knows. unless
4 be the management Of the d.
.. r.,
These questions answered. there
~ Be- occasion for asking others
WILLIAM B. THOMPSON.
. "a . III I. 49, "a