The Detroit times., 1910-09-09
OWENS SITS TIGHT;
COP. CERTAINLY
UP AGAINST IT
Many Plans Discussed By Party
Leaders for Eliminating Proctor X.
From Mayoralty Race, But All
Are Far From Practical.
Cry Now Is For Some Scheme That
Will Save Remainder of Ticker
From Defeat.

How to eliminate Proctor X. Owens
from the mayoralty race continues to
be the one burning question In Repub-
lican circles.
No other matter Is considered
worthy OF consideration just for the
present. Owens presence on the
ticket and his determination to stay
there has almost created panic
among the party leaders. One might
write farce comedy on the situation.
II might be called The Evolution OF
Proctor X" or 1.-The Wreck OF the
Floral Phil" or something equally APP
propriate.
The situation has many angles and
nobody seems TO know just exactly
what Is best to do under the circum-
+ stances. Suggestions there are a
plenty and the one that appears to
be In most favor Is that the Repub-
leans get together indorse candi-
date for the mayoralty and have his
name stamped on the ticket by the
voters over that Of Owens. The sug.
gestion comes from Hugh Shepherd,
president Of the Wayne County Re-
publican club who is about the sorest
man In town as result of the little
fiasco. If this plan were adopted the
party would have rubber stamps pre-
pared for the purpose, with a cross in
front OF the candidates name, and
would distribute them among the vari-
Gus precincts, so or more to each
booth.
The great trouble with this plan, or
ANY other that has been suggested
thus far. as the leaders themselves
admit, Is that II would be difficult to
persuade a-strong man to make the
run under these circumstances. for he
would have practically no chance for
election. 1t would be next to impos-
sible to get enough voters to use the
stamps to make any kind of a show
ing, so the candidate would be largely
LA figurehead. The most any Of the
leaders hope to accomplish by such
scheme is TO save the rest OF the
ticket from the Democratic landslide
that Is almost sure to follow X some
thing Is not done to check It,
The names OF several strong men
who, ordinarily. would make good
run have been suggested. One OF the
latest proposed is that Of George II.
Clippert, a well-known brick manufac-
turer OF the west end Allan II. Fra
ger. former prosecutor, and William T.
Dust are also mentioned, but 1t is very
doubtful whether any of them would
accept. Former Mayor George p. Codd
would not permit the use OF his name
under any circumstances.
That something will be done very
soon is certain, however. Already the
influential Republicans are getting
their heads together. City Clerk
Nichols and George p. Codd held a
long confab behind closed doors In
the formers private office, Friday
morning. and were joined later by
Hugh Shepherd. Several propositions
were discussed
There seems to be no possible
chance OF inducing Owens to with
draw. II Is equally certain, according
10 those best Informed as to the STU
alton, that Owens will not have the
support of single party organization
in the city.
"It will be made clear to Mr.. Owens
within the next two weeks that not
/ one of the party organizations will
recognize him as a candidate for
mayor or will have anything to do
with him. said Mr. Shepherd. Friday
noon. "As far as we are concerned
there Is no candidate for mayor at
this time"
"The fact remains, however, that
|, Owens Is the legal nominee or the
Republican party and only his volun-
tary withdrawal can prevent his name
going on the official ballot as such.
More than that, Owens Is planning to
nut I'D vigorous campaign. He Is
out on strong municipal ownership
platform, and this fact In itself VIII
win him much support, especially on
the part OF the workingmen. In fact,
there are those who believe he actual
ly has a chance to win and are willing
to back up their opinion with cash.
Frank Aldrich, superintendent OF
street cleaning In the department or
bublic works. bet hat on Owens.
Friday. Eddie Barnett, who has been
facetitiously touted as Owens cam
paign manager, took the Thompson
end.
II has occurred to some OF the lead
ers that II they start knocking
too hard their efforts will react III
his favor. At all events. the party
Is right up In the air for the present
and Mayor Breitmeyer is getting all
the blame. There has been some little
talk of recount on the mayoralty
but Breitmeyer Is the only one who
could ask for 1t and he has declared
that he will not. SO there seems to
he no hope in this direction, and even
though Breitmeyer should win on a
recount, as is not likely. the party
would not be any better of. for the
mayor has been repudiated.