The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-31
One Civic Resolution

This city, If 1t makes any reSoluCloh AOi
the new year, we'll might determine to de-
mand the right to own and operate It's
transportation system.
When George J. Marott, civic-minded
citizen. and John White, for years IN the
front of fights for better things, present
plans for such system, the people will do well
to listen.
Facts in the situation are so clear as to
make it difficult for any one to deny that
public ownership not only is desirable but
inevitable, if the best interests of all the peo-
pie are to be served.
The insult plan is impossible. Its high
valuation for decrepit lines and cars stamps
the proposal with unfairness at the start. It's
high rate of return for these same fictitious
values makes the burden continuous.
It is significant that the spokesman for
the insult interests first came with the AFRO
CANT attitude that not one line or comma
would be changed. This city could take the
proposal worked out for the benefit of those
whose investments have been impaired by
private management or walk. The threat
was made that no other plan would be
financed by bankers.
Now the attitude is changed and the ar
rogance is gone. Instead, there is the plain
tive plea to civic clubs that no official has
presented basis on which compromises can
be effected.
If any more were needed to show that
the proposal was unfair at the start this
changed attitude furnishes the basis.
No one desires to take any advantage of
the security holders who find that the values
of their investments have dropped because
of the policies and actions of the private
operators Nor will any fair-minded per-
son believe that the people, as a whole, are
under any obligation to make good the money
they so have lost
The city does not reimburse those who
have lost money in banks or private invest
ments The city does not restore real estate
values.
There is a fair basis on which the city
can buy the present system, and that is at
its real value.
The suggestion the security holders can
'protect' themselves by bidding in the lines
is fine At the present time the system is in
the hands of receiver. Of course, the proper
time for these security holders to have pro-
tected not only themselves, but the public,
was before the receiver was named. They
did not press forward then to save the
public
The threat of poor service and poor cars
is childish The public still has rights. Good
service is the basis of the right for the COM
pany to use the streets. If it default in that
the people can protect themselves.
The plan of Mr.. Marott for bus lines has
its fine points and is in line with progress.
The hour may not have arrived for this. 1t
will come.
His suggestions on financing the system
bear the stamp of wise judgment and a
knowledge of dealing with large affairs. 1t
is not the suggestion of a radical dreamer,
but of a hard-headed business man who
knows finance and can use his pencil with
the best of the boys who deal with big
money.
1t should be very easy to draft bill for
the legislature which would permit the city
to own and operate the transportation sys-
tenn. 1t would be very easy to take the man.
agement out of politics.
AS a matter of fact, much of the pres
ent trouble may be due to the fact that pri-
vate ownership has been in politics, and bad
politics, for years.
If no other measure is secured bv Marion
county legislators, the one for public owner
ship of utilities should be passed.
1t is based on justice, good business, and
the best interests of the city. Future gen.
erations as we'll as those who at present ride
the cars, will applaud such movement and
benefit from it.
Private ownership has proved too costly
in too many ways to be tolerated longer.