The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-13

authority TO fN the salaries OF certain
city officials. increasing the rate OF
interest on municipal bonds; denying
your Honorable Body the right 10 give
abutting property owners speeiai
privileges and obtaining a division OF
the Seventeenth and Eighteenth wards.
May we not consider then. these last
two years as periods OF honest effort.
progress and achievement?
LOOKING FORWARD.
To be fully sensible TO the duties
perspective OF our city. II has grown
from middle-class city TO NUM-
cipality OF the first order and as such
Its needs for the future must be
deavor TO keep the tax rate within
bounds. we cannot consider II the part
OF economy TO ignore the necessity for
additional educa tional. sewer and water
facilities. In judging the approprla-
lions OF the various departments for
the coming year. 4 request that you at
All times be mindful Of the fact that
the people want service and efficiency
first, and that neither can be obtained
II the funds needed by the different
branches OF the city government are
denied them However. while the city
In It's progress where large expendi-
ture Ii absolutely necessary TO keep
pace with the city's growth in industry
being and health OF our people. this
very fact should lead us to practice
the strictest economy OF detail that
VIII permit of the needed improve
ments.
WitE such problems as the acquIsi-
ton Of the street railway and Improve
ment OF transportation faculties. water
Ree Tse an" R9,ds sewage asPGs
adequacy OF our public buildings. the
necessity for additional parks and
play grounds. and the possible need OF
2 hsh pressure system, before Us.
there seems no room for the pursuit OF
fads OF fancies. Improvements must
be desiSned with strict utility always
for purely architectural adornment
that viii accord with the dignity and
position OF our municipality.
TRACTION PROBLEM
For the first time I'm the history OF
the city. plans for the proper handling
OF this issue have assumed a definite
shape. Under the terms OF the amend
ment declaring for municipal owner
ship and operation, the task OF acQuir-
Ing the local system has passed to the
Board OF Street Railway Commission
ers. Success must follow the efforts OF
this able body in whose integrity and
ability feel the people OF Detroit have
full confidence.
Lest II be thought that I regard the
struggle for municipal ownership over,
! wish 10 utter word OF caution. De-
troit's tight for control OF Its streets
throughout the United States. The
future months will require vigilance
and loyalty on our part. There should
be no lack OF zeal because the problem
has been delegated to other hands. On
the contrary. we should be ready at all
times to lend the street railway COM
mission every assistance. Our support
gram being prepared by the board APP
pointed for this purpose. we must show
firm and united front.
Until such time as the city Is In con-
~ hA ~ ~ luro -
question OF service on the system as
now operated must remain with your
honorable body. II cannot be denied
that on many OF the lines TODAY the
accommodations are far from ADEQUATE.
re-routing OF lines and the construc-
ton or additional trackage as planned
by the engineers In the employ OF the
street railway commission Will immeas-
ably better the conditions compla In ed
OF. but in the meantime your hofiora bl e
body should employ every means 10
compel the company TO improve its SER
vice where possible.
EXTENDING ouR CHARITY.
:. condition of unemployment during
drawn our attention TO the necessity
OF a more business-like method OF con :
Quoting the work OF relief in this city.
Al recognize and wish to aid the weak.
We have numerous private organiza-
lions which have been rendering
splendid service. The city. through
the poor commission, and the welfare
bureau. Is aiding hundr eds. There il
evident an earnest and energetic effort
IN this direction Too much commend
ati9n cannot be given those who have
needy Yet. withal. II Is my convio-
ZION that there Is much waste and
duplication. due TO the absence OF q
for assistance may be thoroughly and
properly Investigated.
The city welfare bureau was created
with the intention that II should act
as clearing house between the needy
and provident. A record OF the poor
is kept along with those who are OF
a generous mind: The former are
placed In touch with the latter Hun
dreds have been aided in this manner
with clothing, food and positions; but
II il my belief that the duties OF the
bureau could be further extended; that
II should be made an effective clearing
house for all the charitab BILE organizs
tions of the city. and that II should be
allowed sufficient funds TO effect an
organization to this end. With the
nee available for investigation pur-
poses there should be no duplication.
no waste and less suffering
body this plan is feasible. and II the
various charitable organizations will
reno their cooperation. I shall be most
pIeased TO assist In the work necessary
PURIF1CATION OF WATER.
Pure water Is the first requisite for
healthful city. Although endowed
with facilities superior TO those OF
many American cities. Detroit has from
time to time found fault with it's water
supply. our plant is admittedly one
OF the best to be had. and II should
not be a difficult matter TO take sucA
steps as are necessary to make certain
the publication Of our water
make N do o..
hltration plant. although. in view OF
the manner In which our sewage is dis
posed or the ccnstruehon OF one might
Judgment of engineers familiar with
such problems I leave the method OF
purincation, and urge simply that such
se.i1n be taken as will guarantee the
heaithfui supply of drinking water.
CITY HALL ANNEX.
II is plainly apparent that we have
outgrown the city hall. and that meas
ures OF relief must he taken without
aeiay several Of the departments now
housed I'm this building lack adequate
space; two newly created bodies were
Forced TO obtain quarters in downtown
Office buildings. while two others are
Pending the time when the CITY may
De better able TO bear the expense OF
constructing modern municipal build
ny ny. ! believe IL TO be In the interest Of
efficiency To rent a floor or such por-
ton as may be required to quarter
these departments In building ada
cent To tho Z ~ hall. The street rail-
mission. the recreation commission the
PUBLIC welfare bureau. the park com :
mission. and possibly the engineers
stan, might be cared FOR In this man
ner. thereby preventing a scattering
or city offices. beyond what fs necas-
sarY. and affording additional space
for the department OF public works
and the assessors force.
BETTER STREET DESIGNATION