The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-10-02
CAR PLAN
is LAUDED
BY DODGE

ZION ana agrees with MT Dlnse
man.
in practice" he said. II hope
that the men will be higher paid
than they are by a private corpora
ton
He ridiculed the idea that the
city cannot run street railway as
we'll as a private corporation.
What Is the situation among the
railroads." he asked. IL learn from
the Free Press that SO OF the great
railway systems are In bankruptcy
today, and every one OF them was
under private ownership. The light
ing commission has reduced the
cost OF our lights from 1920 and
Sl4O a year. not to $40. but to S23
and S24, and the lighting is better.
wages are better, everything Is
better"
Mr.. Lucking declared that though
Democrat, he cannot oppose such
n good settlement plan, even though
II is proposed by a Republican city
administration. He praised the
members OF the commission Tor
their ability in handling the settle
ment problem lie criticized the
Free Press for advising the people
to reject the plan. without favoring
any alternative.
Il say that II is the duty OF that
editor" he exclaimed. TO print. at
least in rough outline, what he con-
siders a better plan.
The audience applauded.
"Therr are only three ways OF
securing municipal ownership" Mr..
Lucking continued. THE Journal
advises piecemeal construction. The
Free Press refuses TO say what Its
plan Is. but says kill this one, This
attitude Is hardly In keeping with
the highest journalism. 1t Is the
duty of that paper TO point out the
faults OF the present. and to tell
the public what is a better one.
"Condemnation Is "A pig In a poke.
Moreover. we haven't a workable
law for the condemnation OF street
railways. IL either side appeals. the
matter is held up for two years or
more before the city gets possession
Of the lines. and meanwhile the road
can be milking the lines. and can
turn them over to the city worth
one or two millions less than they
were worth when the price was
fixed"
Mr.. Lucking explained that II Is
impossible for the court 10 nx the
price OF the lines before the people
vote on the settlement He said
that such an arrangement "ouio De
unfair. unless the stockholders OF
tho ID. L. r. were also given
chance TO vote on the price as
fi1ed.
NO court would act on such
moot point" ne declared.
Taking up the question OF Vaiue'
he reiterated that the Bemis ap-
praisal showed the lines TO De
worth about ST. 100000. with about
81. 400 900 OF franchise value.
"Mr. Lawson and myself think
these figures too high. for reasons
IN be presented to the court, out
which n would not be wise TO give
cut to the public, with lawsuit IN
view" he said
He spoke OF the reduction IN
fares. obtained two years ago. anu
its possible effect on the coming
vote. Humping John Dodgers shoui-
der. he exclaimed: If the peopHe
were riding at FIVE cents today, they
would jump down your throat III
their eagerness TO vote for THIS
plan"
Mr.. Lucking said that employees
of the railroad have nothing TO rear
from the settlement plan.
You'd think, TO near their lead
arg talk" he said, that the rela-
tons OF the men with the ID. u n.
have been 70 POLITICALLY beautifui
that they don't want a divorce. AS
n matter OF fact. there has oeen
strife between the company and the
men for years"
Mayor Marx asked the officers OF
the various societies to scheduie
meetings and apply to ooth the
friends and opponents OF the plan
for speakers.
BE sure to invite the opposition,
he said, so that when the people
rote they will know what they are
toting on"
In a meeting Of the executive COM
mittee Of the municipal ownership
committee, in George william
Moorc's office. Friday evening. plans
we're laid to fight the purchase prop
osition. Campaign headquarters
will be opened on the second moor
of the Moffat building, next week.
Public meetings will be arranged
and speakers in favor OF the plan
viii be challenged to public debates.
Thomas L. Dalton, secretary OF
tho committee. said that the COM
mittee stands for municipal owner
shin not municipal robbery. Fred
erick r. ingram. vice-president OF
the body. said that the proposed
plan would sound the death.knell OF
municipal ownership. Mr.. Moore,
chairman of the executive commit
tee, declared that In his opinion TIE
price could not be under 323 .2s5,0OO.
IT, d.n,ored tho stat ement of Com