Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-03-20
City TO Continue
Fight TO Buy
GasCompany

Despite the cloud that hangs
over the city government as a
result of the indictment OF two
councilmen. the advocates OF the
municipal gas plant proposal de-
clared today they would press
their municipal ownership CAM
paign with renewed Ygor.
Council President John w.
Smith announced that tonight's
"town meeting" on the gas ques-
ton and the remaining town
meetings" which are planned
would proceed on schedule.
These sessions are being held
in the flag decked Council cham
Der. which has been the scene
during the past two days of re-
moval proceedings against two of
the councilmen who voted for
placing the municipal gas plant
proposal on the April 7 ballot and
urged its adoption by the people.
SMITH. MAYOR UNTOUCHED
Two OF the staunchest friends
OF the plan, Councilman Smith
and Mayor Jeffries, are untouched
by the scandals and arc de-
terrnined 10 wage the gas fight
in spite of the possible unfavor-
able public reaction to bribery
charges.
Mayor Jeffries assured the pub
lie today that their city govern
ment was basically sound and
honest and that they should not
permit the Council indictments to
influence their decision in the gas
vote.
This n an unfortunate thing
that has happened TO the good
= city of Detroit" he said, but
the events Of the last few days
at least prove that In Detroit
wrongdoers are discovered and
brought to Justice.
These indictments certainly
should not influence any one
against the municipal gas pro-
posal. The Common Council
exercises no important amount
of control over such city owned
utilities - the ID. 3. r.. the
Water Board or the Public
Lighting Commission.
SHAKEN FAITH
THE faith of the man on the
street In his city government IL
undoubtedly somewhat shaken
by these recent events and I
cannot say that I altogether
blame him.
But the fact remains that
the city of Detroit IL o well run
business erganizs tion--in fact II
II run far better than most
other city governments and
some business concerns.
"You men who are close To
the situation here know that tn
be q fact" he added. turning TO
newspaper reporters.
The mayor then added that the
actual terms of the IS 300 600
Herman Gardens housing contract
were favorable 10 the city and
that any honest could have voted
for this contract with a clear con-
science.
Councilman Lodge returned
from his Summer vacation when
this thing was under discussion
and he come TO me to talk II
nd
about IT," the mayor continued.
II told him that I had listened
20 all Of the arguments on both
sides Of the question and that I
n believed they were Just about
y evenly balanced that there
were plenty Of valid reasons for
casting a vote for either steel
or concerto"
GAS ADVOCATES WORRIED
Privately. many Of the city Off
Gals who are enthusiastic advo-
Gates Of the gas proposal are
extremely fearful of the adverse
public reaction to the council in
dictments and are peSsimistic
over the outcome OF the vote.
Officially. however. they are de-
ternined to carry on the campaign
IS though nothing had happened.
The principal speaker at to-
nights town meeting will be
DR.. Carl D. Thompson of Chicago.
president of the Public Ownership
League of America.
Next week it is hoped 10 hear
talks from the city officials and
gas executives from a number of
cities which arc now operating
municipal gas plants. the largest
ones being Omaha, Neb., and Long
Beach. Cal.
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