The Detroit times., 1915-10-12
THE STREET CAR FIGHT

that railway property ceases TO bs
part OF railway. once the fran
chise rights have expired. \ tie
becomes good for what wood Is in
II. a ratf for IT'S value as scrar iron
You are asked TO pay the ID U
r. a profit for its investment on
the streets you have rented to them
II you rent or lease a building. and
your lease expires. do you go 10 the
landlord and say, Here. I've got 70
get out now because my lease ex
pires. It's tough on me. and
want you TO pay for all the profits
win lose In years 10 come and Tor
the property viii have TO leave be
hind me-"
IF you buy the system under
such conditions, gentlemen, | say
there will be a price imitation. And.
with a price based on franchises
that have expired and property that
is worthless when not a part OF the
corporation which holds the fran
chises. I cannot see how bonds can
be issued without violation OF the
law. The state railway commits
sions authority is a good thing-I
mean IL is Just as good for cities as
II Is for private concerns"
Barcroft's remarks were met with
loud applause and 4 stamping OF
feet. After this. he was frequently
interrupted by hand-clapping. He
was given a vote OF thanks at the
conclusion OF the meeting.
Bancroft ridicnled statements
which have appeared repeatedly In
the News, that the street railway
system win continue to run as
usual. probably on Jan. 1. with the
profits flowing into the city Golfers,
n the purchase plan carries.
This talk lis absurd" he said.
I'm Cleveland. with complete
agreement between the city and the
street car company as to the man.
ner in which the transfer should
be effected, IL required Ave months
to make the change. How DO you
know that the executive employees
of the d. U. r. will continue as
city workers, These men are high
salaried and well treated. They
would sooner work for q private
corporation than for the city. be
cause the first named pays no-e.
OF course. with the motormen and
conductors, IL Is different They
see much money. and they don't get
very much of t."
Turning again TO The important
subject Of purchase price. Bancroft
delivered some caustic comment on
the line Of reasoning Of those who
say the city can AFFORD to pay a
large price for the street car sys-
tern, because II wonld pay more
than the system might be worth,
merely to get the street railway
bugaboo OF It's hands.
Il don't understand why you and
and the other citizens Of Detroit
should dig down into our pockets
merely for the sake OF peace. when
the real municipal ownership night
has been won and IL II only ques-
ton OF how we acquire control OF
the lines," he continued. You can't
make q commercial success on any
such silly sentiment as that. be-
cause your price foundation will
not be sound. Sentiment! Is that
what it's called I've got lot OF
old junk I'd like 20 SELL too. and
II the city viii buy 1t. just to have
1t put out OF it's boundaries, I'd be
glad TO get rid OF II.
"Tf the city is made to pay for
out-of-date and utterly worthless
property now owned by the D. L.
R.. want to ask how II expects TO
make profits ont of the ear system,
under such a handicap. Why. we
would be paying for the purchase
OF worthless property for the next
10 years, and we would be paying
In taxes and in fares"