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

ton commission, giving the council
authority 10 fix the salaries OF certain
city Officials, Increasing the rate OF
interest on municipal bonds denying
your Honorable Body the right 10 give
AUDITING property owners special
privileges and obtaining a division al
the Seventeenth and Eighteenth wards
May we not consider. then. these last
two years as periods OF honest enort'
progress and achievement?
LOOKING FORWARD.
To be fully sensible To the duties
now before US. We must take true
perspective OF our city. IL has grown
from a middle class city 20 NUM-
cipality OF the first order. and AS such
it's needs for the future must be
judged While II should be our en-
desvor TO keep tibet tax rate within
OF economy TO ignore the necessity for
add tional educational. sewer and water
facilities. In Judging the appropria-
tons OF the various departments for
the coming year. / request that YOU AT
all times be mindful OF the fact that
the people want service and efficiency
nrst. and that neither can be obtained
III the funds needed by the different
branches OF the city government are
denied them. However. while the city
has unquestionably reached the sta ge
In It's progress where large expendi-
ture Is absolutely necessary TO keep
pace with the city's growth>in industry
and population. and 10 protect the we'll
being and health OF our people, this
very fact should lead us to practice
the strictest economy OF detail that
Will permit OF the needed improve
ments.
With such problems as the acquisi-
ton OF the street railway and improve
ment OF transportation facilities water
publication and sewage disposal. the
Belle Isle bridge congestion. in
NECESSITY Tor our additional 9IIn p parks and
Fairgrounds. and the possible need OF
a high pressure system, before US:
there seems no room for the pursuit OF
RAIDS or fancies. Improvements must
be designed with strict utility always
In mind and with the least expenditure
for purely architectural adornment
that will accord with the dignity and
position or our municipality.
TRACTION PROBLEM
For the hrst time in the history OF
the city. plans for the proper HANGING
OF this issue have assumed 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 IL be thought that 7 regard the
struggle for municipal ownership over,
troit's fight for control OF it's streets
y being watched eagerly In every city
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
must be whole hearted, On the pro-
gram gram. being prepared by the board ap.
a tirm and united front
Until such time as the city is in con-
troll OF the street railway property, the
question Of service on the system as
honorable body. II cannot be denied
that on many OF the Zines today the
accommodations are far from adequate
a re-routing OF lines and the construc-
ton OF additional trackage as planned
by the engineers in the employ OF the
street railway commission Will immeas-
ably better the conditions complained
or, but in the meantime your honora biz
body should employ every means 10
compel the company TO improve its SER
vice where possible.
EXTENDING OUR CHARITY.
condition of unemployment during
the past few months has forcibly
drawn our attention to the necessity
o. more business-like method OF con-
Quoting the work OF relief in this city
All recognize and wish TO aid the weak
the improvident and the unemployed
We have numerous private organiza
splendid service. The city. through
the poor commission. and the welfare
bureau. is aiding hundreds. There In
evident an earnest and energetic EFFORT
in this direction. Too much commend
aton cannot he given those who have
undertaken the task OF assisting the
needy Yet, withsl. II Is my convic-
tion that there IL much waste and
duplication. due to the absence Of a
central organization where requests
for assistance may be thoroughly and
properly Investigated
The city welfare bureau was created
with the intention that IL should act
as clearing house between.the needy
and provident A record OF the poor
Is Kept along with those who are OF
p 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
il Is my belief that the duties OF the
bureau could he further extended; that
II should be made an effective clearing
house for all the charitable organize
tons OF the city. and that II should he
allowed sufficient funds to effect an
organization to this end With the
employees OF the poor commissions Of
poses. there should be no duplication.
no waste and less uffering
" In the judgment or your honorable
body this plan Is feasible. and II the
lend their cooperation. 7 shall be most
pleased to assist In the work necessary
to obtain its adoption.
PURIFICATIoN 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 IT should
not he diniCtflf mi 10 oil
steps as are necessary TO make certain
the publication OF our water
make no recommendation for a
filtration plant. although in view OF
the manner In which our sewage is dis
posed OF. the construction OF one might
be advisable To the experience and
Judgment OF engineers familiar with
such problems I leave the method Of
purincation, and urge simply that such
action be taken as will guarantee the
RESIDENTS or this city an adequate and
healthtuI supply or drinking water.
CITY HALL ANNEX
outgrown the city hall, and that meas
ures or relief must be taken without
delay. several OF the departments now
housed IN this building lack adequate
space: two newly created bodies were
Forced 10 obtain quarters in downtown
oHlce buildings while two others are
In need ~ same.
Pending the time when the city may
De better able to bear the expense OF
constructing n modern municipal build
Ing. ! believe IL TO be in the interest 81
EFFICIENCY to rent floor. or such por-
ton as may be required To Quarter
these depnrtme nts In building ad1a-
cent To tho cit- hall The street rail
way commission. the civil service COM
mission. the recreation com omission. the
public welfare bureau. the park com
mission, and possibly the engineers
stan, might he cared FOR I'm this man
ner, thereby preventing a scattering
OF city offices. beyond what is neces-