The Detroit times., 1915-11-05
Let the People
Rule-and Write

and practical ownership, by casting
their ballots against this corrupt, In.
famous, outrageous steal OF an I'm.
certain number Of millions OF dol
lars.
Now let us one and all put our
shoulders to the wheel with the de-
terInina lion t. secure practical
municipal, ownership al the earliest
possible moment. But II the present
administration will not change its
course and cut out all the dickerins
with the ID. u. r.. not let them build
another foot of street railway-and
does not resign at once so to pre-
vent the true municipal ownership
people assuming the management,
then let us wait and suffer for few
months longer until the present ad-
ministration Is placed on the retired
! list with the three former admin
istrations. then elect a man as
mayor that you know is q tried and
true municipal ownership man, and
no, an eleventh-hour convert-a man
that you know has spent his time
and money during the past 20 years
fighting this grasping corporation.
Unless that he can prove that he
has made the hght. don't trust him
we have been fooled enough by
treacherous politicians. Let US at
once begin 10 study a system OF
building new lines that will give the
best service to the entire city with
the least mileage possible. would
suggest the appointment by the citi
zens OF citizens committee OF
such men as are known to have Civ.
en- this question considerable study
such men as Barefoot. McVicar
and others representing different
parts Of the city-to go over the
ground. investigate and recommend
a certain system OF new lines.
While I have not gone over the
ground. but simply used city map
with the factories and many other
industries marked thereon. would
suggest the plan that follows or
something similar TO be built and
put in operation by the city before
attempting 70 take possession OF all
he fve-cent lines where franchises
have expired.
With the right kind Of man In
charge OF the work. the entire fol-
lowing system could be completed
in six months or less. then take
over Fort-st. Junction and Hamilton.
under the terms OF the United
States supreme court ruling and the
day-to-day agreement. Then for the
franchises have expired. junk every
thing. No dickering with the ID. Il.
r. Let them come TO the city on
their Bonded knees. pleading for
terms. not only for their city but for
their interurban lines.
give the following plan as a
starter for suggestions: First, build
the cross-town line from Centralave.
on the west slice. via McGraw, Mil
waukee and other connecting streets
to Cadillac-ave. on the east side.
about nine miles. TO be used a. part
OF the following two belt lines:
Start the inside belt line at West
Jefrerson-ave. via Junction-ave. to
| McGraw. thence on McGraw. Mil
vaukee and other connecting streets
10 Van Dyke-ave.; Van Dykeave. to
Jefferson-ave.. about IL miles: then
the outside belt line TO start at West
Jeffersop-ave. and Solvay-ave.. north
ON Solvay TO Lafayette. Lafayette to
Central. Central TO McGraw. Nc
Graw east TO Livernois. Livernois
north to Rally. Daily to Joy-rd., Joy
Id. TO Linwood. Linwood TO Boston
blvd, to Hamilton. north to Labelle
and Manchester, to Brush-st., TO eth.
er Caniff or Holbrook. east to Con-
ant. to Miller, Peter, Hunt and con-
Meeting streets to Cadillac-ave., TO
Waterloo, to Connor's. TO JEFF
ferson-ave., then on Moffat-st. from
Cadillac to Van Dyke, 30 TO connect
the two belt lines. This line has
less than % miles In all.
Then Twenty-fourth-st. from JET.
ferson west TO McGraw. a little over
three miles, then on Charlevoix fSom
Cadillac on east side via Watson and
Charlotte to Greenwood on the west
side about IL miles, in all less
than ~ IL miles; now add II IL
miles for switches, etc. making in
all about go miles. At $37.224 per
mile, the amount the city engineers
claim II cost to build the Junction
ave. line. would make this so miles
cost s2.233.440, but there are miles
Of this line that are not paved.
Therefore. I believe that $4,000. 900
will complete TINS co mTes and the
city will not have to spend hundreds
OF thousands OF dollars for repairs
on this line for years as they will
on the old lines.
About s2,oo0,oo0 more will equip
this system with car sheds and all
modern cars and other equipment
ready for operation. leaving $1,000
900 OF the $4,000 900 available for
further operatings. With this sys-
TEN completed. the city In then
ready to take over Fort.st., Junction
ave. Hamilton and oil streets where
franchises have expired, and then
connect them ur with the new sys-
tenn. abandoning and taking up all
/ tracks not needed. The S11 900. 600