The Detroit times., 1908-07-16
DUST LAUOEO IN
STATEMENT BY
FRIENDS
RECORD AS TAX OFFICIAL AND
LEGISLATOR CITED IN BIG
BOOST FOR MAYORS CHAIR
SLY DIGS AT THOMPSON.

The following have issued state
ment boosting the candidacy OF VIII
lam r. Dust, who seeks the Republl'
can nomination. for mayor: Carr q.
Schmidt. II. NJ. Duffield, Richard +.
Joy, Jas. b. Mckay, Charles 9. sim
ons, John HARPER. John A. Schmio,
e. b. Myrick, Alex l. Mcleod, Charles
p. Collins. Maurice Wolf, Ed n.
Blanchard, Henry A. Dickson, John L.
Lodge. The statement follows:
We consider william 7. Dust the
very best man the Republicans or TINS
city might select as their cahuiuae
for mayor this year. he Is auuS
large experience In public affairs; In,
timatcly acquainted with the needs or
the city. and OF personal integry
and political courage tested IN many
positions OF great responsibility: Mr..
Dust has been before the public Tor
over 20 years and has In that perioIs
earned the respect and commences VI
SCISSOR, frst under Mayor Pingree and
later under Mayor Maybury, ne was
extremely efficient In placing upon the
tax rolls millions OF dollars worth OF
property that had hitherto escaped
taxation. and was largely instrument
tai In changing the method by whlch
sessed. so that franchise value might
be taken into consideration, change
which raised the street railway as
sessment from two and one-hail 10
about eleven million dollars.
His very conscientious and aple ser
vices as q member OF the board OF
state tax commissioners cannot De
overestimated. AS member or the
first board to assess railroads upon an
ad valorem basis. he gave the most
careful and intelligent study TO rail-
road values. to the end that the raii-
roads were compelled 10 bear their
Just proportion OF the burdens OF the
state. He also succeeded In having
franchise values taken into consluerh-
and electric light companies: When
other members OF the board OF tax
commissioners made afhdavits TO the
effect that property otner than , ran
aifidavits which were TO be used
against the state. In litigation In
which the state was party, Mr.. Dust
remained steadfastly loyal TO the pub
lie he served and refused to COM
promise with his own high sense or
public duty.
Elected to Legislature.
That the public has understood and
appreciated Mr.. Dusts services was
evidenced two years ago. when In
field OF SO candidates for nomination
TO the legislature, he received by far
the largest vote. and again In the cleo
stantial margin. In the Legislature,
Mr.. Dusts great experience ana MS
expert knowledge or taxation proved
Of incaiculable value to Detroit ana TO
the state When IL was sought to
raise the limit OF the city's bonded IN
debtedness. Mr.. Dust pointed out clear
ly that the probable Increase In the
city's assessed valuation would more
than take care OF the necessary APP
propriations prediction which has
since been justified. Both on the tax
commission and Ia the iesisisture;;
estate mortgages and credits from tax
alton. and helped to secure the pas
sage or bill in the house 10 accom-
ton which II II had not failed In the
senate, would have done much TO In
crease the material prosperity or De.
trois Mr. Dust WAS was s Sis9 an b,i the
two-cent railroad bill and the general
primary election Dill
Dust Is Well balanced.
Mr.. Dust Is man who Is too well
ment to be led astray by every new
scheme and legislative fad. but he has
the courage to espouse earnestly ana
without reserve those grea, prosres
requires and which matured public
opinion demands. Mr.. Dusts attitude
upon the street car question Is the
only position that can be taken by an
honest and sober minded public ser
want to whom the welfare or his city
and it's citizens is OF Infinitely more
consequence IMAM the satiSihCtioh VI ~
personal ambition. The street-car
question can and should be settled In
an expeditions and business-like man
ner and upon basis fair TO the city
and fair TO the company. But the
settlement itself is more important
that the vindication OF any one indi-
yiduaIs scheme OF settlement, and
must not be deferred I'm order TO fur
nish candidates with political isues
| and to keep the city In everlasting
turmoil And IL settlement must be
| made by the granting of new franz
chises. such franchises must be short
term franchises. must have the APP
prevail OF the people by referendum
vote and must provide for the taking
| over OF the properties at the end OF
| the term ut a valuation TO be fixed by
| disinterested appraisers.
III Mr.. Dust Is nominated and elected.
| the city will be assured OF a careful
dtgniffsd and busin~ss-like administFa-
| tior. Mr.. Dust Is allied TO no clique or
faction and Is not handicapped by
I prornises OF appointment He will
step into office free 10 select the most
| ef1cient and competent men for, the
various administrative departments.
lie Will give ready ear TO Intelligent
I counsel. yet will act upon hts own
/ matured convictions There will be
nothing bizarre about his administra-
| tion he will require no help from
/ abroad, and win need neither circus
tent nor stereopticon to convince the
people Of his efficiency and sincerity.