The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-06-10
Looks Like Bold At
tempt to GOuge
the City
CONTRACT WILL
EXPIRE IN YEAR
Detroit, Without Plant,
Then At Private Con-
GERMS Mercy

Behind the jockeying OF tie alder
men and the department OF public
works, over the plans for the dis
posal Of the city's garbage after the
present contract with the Detroit
Reduction Co. expires June 30. 1916.
there may be deep-laid plot TO foist
the reduction company's plant on
the city at an exorbitant price. in
the opinion OF men who seem to be
we'll informed on the situation.
Past experience has shown that
any attempt 10 locate a garbage dis
posal plant in or near the city will
meet with determined opposition
from the surrounding property own
ers. Residents OF st. Clair Heights
already have started fight in
court To prevent the erection OF
such plant there Should they
win. II will be up TO the city to find
another site. In the meantime the
Detroit Reduction Co.'S contract Is
rapidly nearing expiration. and a
long delay in the legal proceedings
would make 1t impossible for the
city to complete plant by the time
that contract lapses.
The cheapest and simplest way
out OF the difficulty would seem TO
he tho rurcbaoa 90 tho na,rog. D.
duction Co.'S plant at French Land
ing, under the terms OF the agree.
ment entered into between the city
and the company at the time the
contract was given In 1906. All that
II is necessary for the city TO do
under this agreement is to give six
months notice. The value OF the
plant would be determined by a
board OF three appraisers. one ap-
pointed by the company. one by the
city and the third by the other two
From reliable source II is
learned that the plant cost the De
troll Reduction Co. originally about
$4,000 Some improvements have
been made and part OF the plant
had TO be replaced on account of
an explosion few years ago but II
is estimated that sl50,000 would be
an extremely liberal price for the
entire outfit. In any event the &C.
tual investment would not be diff
cult 10 determine as, under the
terms OF the contract, the city has
free access 10 the plans. specifica.
lions and construction bills and can
require of the company detailed
statement as to the cost OF the plant
and the cost OF operation.
The purchase clause. while part
OF the company's original proposal,
did not appear In the contract as
authorized by the common council
Jan %. 1906. the corporation coun.
sci holding that II could not be
properly inserted. Mayor George p.
Codd. however, required the com.
pany to sign an agreement In &C.
cordance with its original proposal,
and. on his recommendation. the
agreement was filed with the city
controller.
Some OF the aldermen evidently
are laboring under the impression
taht there Is no such agreement in
existence AT any rate, there has
been no disposition to take advant-
age OF II, although the plant could
be purchased now for practically
what II cost.
II the garbage disposal PROPOSE.
ton is held up until the existing
contract has expired. or IL is too
late TO take advantage OF the six
months notice. the city will be alb.
solutely at the mercy OF the Reduc-
ton company. The garbage would
have TO be disposed OF, and the
plant In French Landing. in the alb
sencs OF city plant. would afford
the only available means. Only two
courses would then be open to the
city. IL would be forced to buy ont
the Detroit Reduction Co, at the
latter's own figure or else enter
into another contract with the same
concern.
The FIRST jew to win the Victoria
cross, Lieutenant Frank Alexander
de Pas. has since been killed In nc.
tlon. Twenty thousand of the 200
c00 Jews In Great Britain are said
10 be with the colors.
What was once foppery some
. douainna t,,to ,,1.,,.. - ,.oot