The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-16
POLITICS NEEDS
BUSINESS ME'!
w: ". HANNAH.
Their Participation In Municipal
Government Only Cure For Evils,
Citizen Tells Wholesalers.
w: W. HANNAH.

We do not need statesmen over
there in the city hall-what We neea
more t-rS4t1+-s--fs4--ss -ss-+.s II ~
Hannah. in emphatic manner al the
luncheon. Wednesday noon. in the
Hotel Cadillac OF the Wholesalers
al Manufacturers association OF De
troit, in the course OF talk OF Pol
tics and the business man
Politics should find a prominent
place in every business mans bust
hess life continued the speaker He
should seek 10 elevate politics 10 the
level OF his business. and should re-
gard city politics as business worthy
OF his best consideration The aver
age business wan makes the serious
mistake OF viewing politics generally
and il is because OF his attitude that
the INSCRIPTIONS politician has been
able 70 obtain such q strong fOothoi1
IN our municipal machinery. What is
politics? You have politics IN your
church your clubs. your business or
ordinations, just as there are politics
H. municipal. state and national life
Whether the churchman cam pal gns
among his fellow parishioners for the
sele cton- OF certain minister:
whether you campaign among your
fellow members in a social club for
tho election OF your friends 10 Office
IL Is politics just as surely as ii is
politics TO the professional politician
u campaign for the appointment Of \
dog wagon driver or the candidate for
mayor
II is not politics that degrades the
man. IL is the man that degrades pol
itics. Politics predominates practical.
}! every phrase Of our social civic and
business life Yet We sometimes find Z
convenient 10 refuse TO recognize IL a.
politics The dishonor is not in the
playing OF the political game. but the
manner in which the game is played.
The municipalities business is your
business for your pocketbook is con
cerneo, Is are also your business. your
home and your citys reputation
Politics is an honorable calling for
al honorable man. Denounce your
selves for that general apathy. that
neglect Of duty oil your part that
makes possible the election OF the dis.
honorable, the incapable. the unreli-
able man 70 Office The city OF Detroit
is great corporation very much like
tie individual businesses with which
you are identified. Every taxpayer
should be regarded as one OF the
stockholders and the greater the
amount OF taxes he pays the greater
should be his active interest IN the
Citys affairs A mans civic duty does
not END with dhe acceptance Of his
tax receipts or the casting OF his vote
. A.
so construe IT, Wherefore. II the ctr
zen eyinces little or no interest Ia
the election OF men who administer
the affairs Of the city. he should
shoulder the responsibility himself
when they fail in their administrator
The business mai can perform no
greater obligation 10 his city than g
see that business men are elected 10
Office. AMI that business methods are
pursued in the conduct OF the citys
business
1t has become d fayorite slogan
with candidates fo- Office all the way
from constable 70 mayor business AL.
Some OF the methods
pursued are such as should make 4
business man blush Our board oi
aldermen and OF estimates are in need
Of such men as make UP this associa
ton. and II such men constituted them
We would not be presented with such
humiliatng speCtacles a.
Ne witnessed only a few days ago
ever the letting OF an important cor.
J:act for the city. II you did your
duty by your city. there would be less
~ about our council being dominated
~ this or that undesirable element.
lou have no right 10 criticize when
conditions are the result Of your own
See that good men are
nominated for Office then get out aid
u ork for their election.
1t is the near consideration o. tie
-ity's budget that prompts me 70 speal,
to YOU In this way The city Is con
Tronted with m alarming situation
4 situation that demands the close at
.ention Of every business man and
serious thinking citizen. The board ~
estimates is confronted with budget
u about $4,000 600. more than double
lie amount raised by taxation for the
iscal year Just closing DO you real
re what this means Is il OF suff-
lent importance - interest our bust
ress men? The business man should
get closer 70 MS city's government
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