The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-06
Says Only Established Facts Are That
He Got Money From Father, Loved
Detroit and Left Big Estate
To City.
Indications Are That Plan To Recon-
slider Acceptance of Request Will
BE Defeated BY Council.

taken by the Rev. Maurice r. Fixes
president of the conference, when
the matter OF the Jim" Scott memoir
< ial came up for discussion In the
weekly meeting OF the conference,
Monday morning, in the Woodward
ave. Baptist church parlors.
The Rev. +. T. Galpin said he had
been asked by a local newspaper 10
bring TO the attention OF the confer
ence the acton OF the Detroit com
mon council in accepting the Scott
bequest for public fountain on Belle
Isle with the donors statue as part
OF the architecture and TO ask the
ministerial body to go Oh record az
opposed to the matter
Il do not see why we should grind
any newspaper axes in this confer
ence," replied Or. Fixes, "and, more
over the pastors union went on rec
ord last spring as opposed to the ac-
ceptance of the bequest. Personally,
see no reason for further action on
our part"
II was stated that word had just
been received of the adoption OF
strong resolutions by the Presbyter-
ian ministers in weekly meeting.
which resolutions protesting against
the acceptance of the Scott gift, Will
be presented to the council, Tuesday
evening.
lis there any one among the
brethren present who knew Mr.. Scott
personally " asked DR.. Fixes.
No one acknowledged a speaking
acquaintance or any personal know
ledge of the well-known character. in
question.
Then, all | can say is that hear
say is no foundation upon which to
go on record as condemning a man
in life or DEATH" declared DR.. Fixes.
II did not know Mr.. Scott either, but
last spring when the matter OF the
bequest was creating such a stir,
took the trouble to learn from the
most reliable sources just where he
got the money and how much proof
attached TO the story OF It's being
tainted
IL found that Mr. Scott had been
left his fortune by his father, that
II consisted of city real estate; that
he had not squandered his patrimony
In gambling, either In stocks or polk
err, and that being without near kir
and possessing sincere affection FOL
Detroit, had left his money to the
4 city. True, | also hear from variou,
sources OF his foul tongue. but
could not find one person who hat
ever really heard Mr.. Scott relate
one Of his alleged infamous stories
In face of all the facts l cannot SEE
why We should mix up in this matter
at this time, but as l am simply YOU
servant in this chair, IL is up to 20,
TO take any action you see fit.'
DIR. Fixes outspoken words me-
with several hearty Amen" accom-
paniments and no one rose to his In
vitation ito start something"
Reconsideration Unlikely.
II the resolution adopted a weel
ago, accepting the Scott gift. is recon
sidered by the council Tuesday night
IL Will be only after the hottest kline
OF scrap. Many OF the stronges
men in that body are unequlvocally
against such action and declare they
will stand by the original action. From
present indications. Aid. Watson will
have to do some very active mission
airy work IL he lines up the necessary
two-thirds vote to put through his
reconsideration plan.
Reconsider? should say not"
was the emphatic declaration Of Aid.
Vernon, OF the Second ward, Monday
morning. why should we reconsider
IL? say let's go ahead and build the
fountain, monument and all, and put
under II as an inscription the extract
from the will. making the bequest, as
Herbert Baker has suggested In q
a 10 nf ha ma
While personally opposed to accept
Ing the gift, Aid. George Ellis Is not
Inclined to favor reconsideration.
II l were to consult my own feel
ingh IN the matter, | would certainly
oppose the bequest, but public senti-
ment, as far az I have been able to
luoge, 10 IN favor OF IT," he said In
fact, there seems to be such a strong
majority OF the people taking that
view that I have about concluded to
sacrifice my own personal Judgment
and yield to the popular will"
Aid. Walshs reply to the query
will you vote for reconsideration? p
was an emphatic mo"
III they don't want to look at tn
statue OF Scott let them put II In
grotto facing toward the river, wit
WnAtI VOuIiHk ONNi IT, ut edtus ~
body would know IL was there unles
they took the trouble to climb aroun
on that side and we would he fulfillin
the conditions of the bequest TO tn
letter. Let's have the fountain by a
means"
Aid Gilman. president OF the coui
ell. and Aid. Konkel, Carney and Win
all stated positively that they woul
not vote for reconsideration. All
owen and Watson are against accep
ing the bequest on any terms AL,
4, Koenig, link and Tossy think the gi
should be accepted. but are In fave
& OF giving Its opponents a hearing pr
lsided they can offer good reasons Il
asking II.
Aid. Burton. whose father. ClarenC
VI. Burton, is one OF the executors {
the Scott will says that unless seve
Al OF the aldermen have changed the
mind within the past few days, ther
is no possibility OF the reconsideratlo
going through. He canyassed the coui
eli less than a week ago and at this
time could find only four or five insi
tent for rehearing.
Another Bad Mistake.
The city made bad mistake whe
u turned down the Carnegie librar
several years ago" said the aldermen
~Foftnnately Mr. Carnegie renewe
hie cner, with better success the Sc,