The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-08-04
Respectfully submitted.
GEORGE II. FENkEIL.
Commissioners.
Accepted and placed on file.
Aid, A. Z. Wilson. keasing and
irsnshaw entered and took their
From the Department Of Public
Works.


Gentlemen June 18th. 81. c. c.
1851, n resolution by Aid Barnett
WAS adopted requesting advice as 10
whether the Commissioned OF Pubic
Works desired 20 have all permits permits
Council for the use or occupation OF
any portion OF the public highways
or streets with distractions. resctnd-
when / nrst became connected
with the Department OF Public
Works found the sidewaiks In
many places particularly In tns
down town district. greatly obstruct-
ed with fruit tands, shoe shining
ianeous INSTRUCTIONS. The records OF
the Common Council showed that
efforts had been made by my preds-
cessor to effect the removal OF these
Constructions under the authority OF
Aid Lynch. as follows: November
.sth., December 10th, 1917, and OF
Aid Allan. January eth, 1918"
These efforts had all been blocked
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 this
were handed down In the local cir.
cult and Afterwards affirmed by the
supreme court January Ith. 1914 !
reported 10 your Honorable Body the
removal OF 50 fruit and IS miseel-
The original resolution introduced
isi,' u. c. c.-issoj. directed the
removal OF oestructions OF every ma
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 prohioi-
ton 10. Stands from which goods or
merchandise are sold and shos-shln'
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
should compel merchants TO remove
their show cases or that they be In
terfered with in displaying the goods
they have for sale" ~. C. c. Jan.
eth. 1918. PAGE 1850,
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 resoiu.
others were erected without any per-
mifs whatever This Department has
respected all permits for show cases.
etc. Issued by direction of your Hon.
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 TO your Hon
orable Body TO grant such permits.
many concessions for gasoline stands
and show cases have been granted by
the Council and all such have been
respected by me.
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-
tees on a large number 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
Mn reply to the resolution OF Aid
Barnett. I beg 10 say that the Com
missioner OF Public Works has no
personal motives or ambitions TO
His only object has been 10 keep en-
croachments on the streets and
walks. over which his department
has Jurisdiction so far az keepins
tHcfn III saie tOuulton LOT inc VIZ
ious kinds OF traffic. The work OF
removing show cases was taken up
by tho Department because OF the
large increae In number and size
OF show cases being built encroach-
ing on our sidewalk space.
II 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 respected
citizens. but with the members of
your Honorable Body. for I am able
10 detect no change in the sentimen
OF the council aimee the adoption OF
the resolution OF January Ith, 1919.
as evidenced by recent resolutions
permitting same.
As above stated have been only
Influenced by my desire TO keep the
streets and sidewalks OF the city
clear OF distractions for the use OF
the general public. which a. 7 under
stand II 10 the purpose for which they
are designed. I have no desire 10
institute q single handed night to en-
force ordinances and regulations 90
evidently unpopular. and will there
fore not initiate any action. against
them In future. except on the speci-
nc direction OF your Honorable Body
As matter OF record IL may be
observed that on the First OF July
there were 200 show cases encroacn-
Ing on public space. and Of these -
only have permit for the same from
the Common Council.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE II. FENKELI4