The Detroit times., 1917-02-19
uurrsh for Mayor Marx and
Hurrah for the Railroads
That Are Helping the Mayor

SHOULD BE forgotten while we me W
solidly behind Mayor Marx in the fight
he IL putting up to relieve the coal situa,
ton in this city.
Mayor Marx has acted in this matter
In a fine spirit and with fine courage.
He has acted, in particular, in behalf
Of the legitimate dealer who has been
condemned along with his INSCRIPTIONS
competitor, and has suffered innocently
h the public mind.
Convinced, with the great majority Of
a, that there is plenty of coal to be had /;
that conditions have been permitted TO
become worse than they should be. in ad-
dition to having been made TO appear
worse than they really are, and that GER
tain INSCRIPTIONS dealers have used
these conditions for purposes Of practic-
ing extortion, the mayor was able to ar
range within few hours for coal for
everybody at reasonable prices.
Furthermore, the mayor went about
the thing in manner that should have
the effect of convincing the dealers al
whom his move is directed that he
means business, and as a result, prices for
the remaining weeks Of winter should be
found somewhat more in reason.
The prices that have been charged by
certain Detroit dealers have been of the
sandbag order.
Compared to this class of coal dealer,
highway robbers and porchclimbers are
desirable citizens.
There are homes in Detroit where
there Is old age and sickness and where
the matter of fuel has meant life or
death. but no exception has been made OF
these homes by bandit coal dealers who
have turned the season into rich har-
vest by exploiting affection.
Instances of suffering viii be relieved
II once by reason of the move the mayor
has made. and relief for the rest of US
win follow on gradually.
We would be denying their just due TO
the railroads entering Detroit if we failed
10 commend them. also, for the readiness
with which they have placed their facili-
ties at the disposal of the mayor. and the
willingness with which they have prom
ised to cooperate with the city in the
matter Of guaranteeing a sufficient fuel
supply.
Mayor Marx says it is not the intention
Of the city to go into the coal business,
which would be taking socialistic step
that would be quite likely to meet with
the opposition of many who otherwise ap-
prove of the course he has decided tc
take.
The socialist theory is that the govern.
ment ought TO 60 into the coal business,
which the government could not do sue
cessfully without owning the railroads
whereupon the Socialist says: Own the
railroads"
Government ownership of the Goa
mines and government ownership of the
railroads would solve coal situations such
~ the country has experienced this win
ter, and no doubt about it,
But II we had officials in Washington
capable Of rising TO the occasion for the
nation as Mayor Marx has risen to the
occasion for Detroit, and if the railroads
were found as ready to cooperate as
these railroads have been. there would
Be occasion neither for government own
ership of the coal mines nor government
ownership Of the railroads.
The situation we meet in Detroit is a
situation that is exactly what it ought
10 be.
As we understand, nothing more was
ever claimed for socialism than that ar.