The Washington times., 1922-11-30
FEELS
FORD |S1924 !.
CANDIDATE
New Senator From Michigan
Also Looks for Publicly
Owned TrolIeys. :,
by WILLIAM RANDORF.
COsnaopolitan News Rorvice staff
staff Correspondent.

| COHnlODOllton N6Wu H0fvlC0
staff Correspondents.
NEW YORK. Nov. 80. Mayor
James Couzens, Of Detroit. here to.
day enroute to Washington to quail.
fy as United States Senator In place
of Truman Fl. Newberry to whose
Governor Groesbeck, of Michigan.
In an interview at the Hotel Bel
mont. predicted that Henry Ford
| undoubtedly would be q Presidential
candidate In 1924.
The man who rode to great wealth
with Ford only to gain greater re-
nown as the successful conductor of
a municipal traction system In his
city, likewise predicted that New
York would be sure to come to mu.
nicipal ownership of It's street rail.
way system.
May Run A Independent.
Speaking Of Ford's possible candi-
dacy, Mayor Couzens SAID that all
Detroit thinks the automobile manu-
facturer will run for the highest
office In the land. but that no one
has definitely found out on what
ticket. A Ford ticket, independent
OF the two major parties. is a posi-.
bilfty, he said.
He himself. Couzens said, is a pro.
gressive Republican.
However," he added, II don't
want to 60 as far as some 20, nor
be a sit-pat as some Of them.
They call me q Socialist because
l believe in soc.alizing In public
utilities. l am for the greatest DOS.
sible liberty In social activity, pro.
vtded you don't impose on the olher
Fellow while you do II. II that In
being a Socialist, I am one. but !
don't call II SO.
| Never Sought Office.
II have never had political ambi-
tions. nor sought for public office.
On the other hand. I have never
shirked a public position. This posi-
ton tof Senator) was offered me
after the governor had canvassed
Reverting to traction matters,
Mayor Couzens said:
IL only the city Of New York
mad bought those subways and
leased them to private concerns
when they were started! II made
big mistake In that 1t did not re-
that IL you have municipal owner
ship and operation 1000 Tammany
men might be appointed, but IL the
system was run tor service and not
graft. the people, generally speaking,
would not kick.
Gives Better Service.
II don't claim municipal operation
IN general Is as economical or as
efficient as private operation, but
the point is that municipal opera.
ton makes for service. while priva ,e
operation makes for private profit,
so that there is presented the inde.
terminable argument between money
making and service. The two things
don't go together. People don't
mind paying an extra fare for q
ride II no one is getting any graft
or oisnonest money out OF the extra
fare.
The people Of New York have
themselves to blame for the muddle
they are in at this time. They
issued municipal bonds to build a
system with city money and then
turned 1t over to private Corporations
for operation. / think municipal on.
Grafton is bound to come here In
New York. "
Profit b scent Faxp.
II approve Of public ownership or
municipal ownership every time
where the community or the public
gives a monopoly.
Municipal ownership of traction
IN Detroit 10 a great success on q
6-cent.fare basis. Whenever pri.
vate monopolies Of street railway
fractions talk about going bankrupt
or OF the impossibliity of the com.
pany to run at a profit on a scent
farewell, II 10 just talk. You never
saw any Of them fail. did you? They
can run at a profit on . scent fare
In his formal statement, Mr..
Couzens said he would resign az
mayor, but continue az head OF the
Detroit traction system. ''if this Ia 10.
gally possible"
Always Been Republican.
1T is too early," the statement
read In part, ito take a position on
national affairs, as q careful and
well-thought-out conclusion on each
subject must be reached before de.
ciaring myself. 1t is easy to rush
into print with snap judgments on
every subject. have had too much
experience with others doing this
to fall into the same error.
| therefore, hope that those
who are interested In my conyic,
tons will have patience until I can
reach an informed opinion. I have
always been Republican and viii
continue TO be one. Ny past activi
ties In public office Ii the best ruide
as to what may be sxpectsd in the
! want to thank Governor 0roes
beck for the confidence placed In me
| l nope ] may 20 conduct myself al
TO warrant q continuance OF this
conndence OF the people OF