The Detroit times., 1908-12-31
BARNETT PULLS0U
OF RACE TO HEAD
EsT|MATORs .
SAYS PUBLIC DOESN'T WANT sA.
looNKEEPER FOR POSITION
NEW MEMBERS OF BOARD AT.
TEND SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION

New members OF the board OF estt-
mates met In the assembly room OF the
Hotel Cadillac, Wednesday evening
for a school OF instruction and 10 get
acquainted But before they had I'm
isbed. there had been very lively de-
selecting president for the board
had bobbed up and been squclchcd
only with difficulty.
James s. Holden, former president
ot the board. was chief instructor in
teaching the new members how To es-
innate. but he was followed by Es-
timators Andrus ald Barnett In talks
that brought out the conservative and
liberal views In dealing with the bud
get. aud the new members disclosed
IA lew views themselves when IL came
10 final symposium
Barnett, when called upon, began
by declaring that he is not O canji.
date for president
THE citizens and taxpayers of this
city do not want O. saloonkeeper fer
president OF this board" he explained.
While | believe that man in that
business Is as good as any other,
bow to the will OF the people"
Estimator Armstrong. of the Eighth
ward, vas selected as chairman. Mr..
Holden went into the details OF the
work of the board Of estimates. He
described the manner OF bringing In
the budget, told OF the work OF the
various committees and advised, as a
rule, that committee reports be fol-
lowed. Detroit officials are honest, he
said. but there is some waste and the
various departments are eager for
funds to carry out pet projects.
Don't pledge yourself TO vote for
special item he urged Don't work
for the interest Of your ward alone.
Work for the good OF the whole city"
His talks was listened TO with keen
interest and several questions were
asked on various points.
Frank ID. Andrus, who followed, ex-
hoIted the members not to allay them
selves in factions. He urged even
more strongly than Estimator Holden
against opposing committee reports.
barnett, who followed. took some
what different position. He declared
that often chairmen OF committees are
dictatorial and that pre1udiced and
unfair reports are brought In. These,
he declared, should be opened Up and
shot 10 d ccs." All three OF the old
cstimators declared that the aldermen
10 not pay enough attention TO the
budget.
On motion OF George Brown. n reso-
luton was adopted, asking the heads
of departments to cut out ali pad
ding" from their estimates at the
start. depending on the fairness OF
the board OF estimates TO judge prop
crly. Another resolution calls upon
the department chiefs 10 submit a
written explanation with each section
of the budget showing the reason for
asking each important item.
The presidency OF the board came
up for attention when Fred w Davis.
OF the First ward, suggested that. as
some os the older members had hell
caucus. the new members do IKE
wise. There was an animated discus
sion. hut Chairman Armstrong did not
entertain the motion TO hold caucus
and the matter was dropped.
James Swart. OF the Cadillac, had
the last speech OF the evening. He
met several OF the estimators in the
LOBBY.
The taxpayers OF this city want
improvements and they are willing "a
pay little higher taX-rate 10 get
them no said.
The withdrawal of Edward Barnett
caves five candidates for the presi
dency Of the board, and the talk after
the caucus was that one or two more
may withdraw before Monday morn
ing. Barnett's remarks anent a 81
loonkeeper becoming president of th'
board appeared 10 refer 10 John i
Behlow. who was chosen as a canGi
date at meeting OF some Older mem
bers. Behlow runs grocery and Sc
loon George Brown and Edward T
Nichols. candidates for president. arr
new members and attended the meet
ing
w. w. Robinson, John f. f3ehlov
and Thomas c. Craig were not pres
ent.