The Detroit times., 1911-06-29
MAYOR JEERS At
LODGES PLAN OF
BRICK PROBE
Says Aldermen, Criticised by Con-
stituents for Overriding Veto, Now
Want a Committee To Let
Selves Down Easy.
Executive To Ask That Buying and
Inspection of Brick Be Put in w.
II. Maybury's Hands.

When informed, Thursday, that
Public Works Commissioner Haarer
was willing to accept former Commis-
sioner w. ii. Maybury as arbiter In
the brick controversy, Mayor Thomp-
son announced that he was preparing
communication, to be submitted To
the council next Tuesday night,
recommending the creation OF the Of
fee of brick inspector for the ID. r.
w. II this is done, however, he Will
insist on Haarer appointing Mr.. May
bury. to the place, with full charge OF
the purchase and the laying OF the
brick II Haarer will not agree TO
this plan and the appointment OF
Mayhury, the presumption is that the
mayor will veto 1t, should the council
see At to act favorably on the recon-
mendation.
Whether I would accept such com.
mission as Is suggested, either to de-
eide the present controversy or 70
undertake the handling of the brick
business of the department OF public
works, Is a thing could not decide
until had been asked" said Mr. May
bury 10 The Times. "At present l
have had no conversation with any
official over the matter.
Il certainly would not undertake TO
settle such a controversy unless
would have free hand, and II were
to undertake II, | would forget that
there was such person as the mayor
or the commissioner of public works,
or that there was a common council,
and would devote myself TO seeing
whether Detroit Is getting a square
deal In the matter of brick pavements
AS for the merits Of the present con-
troversy, have nothing to say"
II would be willing to have Mr..
Maybury named to make an inyestiga-
tion, because | think he Is an honest
man." said Aid. John Grindley, chair
man OF the committee on claims and
accounts. II really think that the brick
Is NOT $50 much at fault as the old
foundations on which IL is sometimes
laid. As Rn instance, when the War
ren-ayer west paxament- .agaipat which.
complaint Is made, was laid, there
was too much brick delivered, and
part of 1t was taken over on Twelfth
st. and laid on new foundation. The
Warren-ave. pavement has gone to
pieces, while the Twelfth-st. pave
ment is solid"
Il have read Aid. Lodges plan to
have a committee investigate the
brick question:" said Mayor Thomp.
son, Thursday. u don't need COM
mittee to tell me that Detroit is get
ting bad brick. I can use my eyes and
SO can every other citizen. | don't
need committee to convince me that
Detroit's streets are In a shameful
condition,
aid. Lodge and his colleagues al.
ready have overruled four of my
vetoes of brick bills. Now they have
heard from their constituents and
they want a committee to take the
blind of their eyes and let them down
easy. Let them have their commit
tee. A committee Of aldermen? Would
IL not be farcial to have a committee
OF aldermen pass on their own con.
duct, when the records already show
that their hearts are hardened and
that they pass judgment before even
the evidence is in? can see the
report written before the first meet
ing has taken place. These alder.
men will have a chance every Tues.
day night to go on record for good or
bad brick by their vote on my veto
Of brick bills.
II say. let them have their com.
mittee-an independent, intelligent
and fair-play and city-loving commit
tee. AS for William II. Maybury, no
one esteems his ability and integrity
more highly than I do. Just to test
the sincerity Of these aldermen,
suggest that William II. Maybury be
given the job of buying and inspect
ing all the brick laid in Detroit. You
don't need a committee for this work
Just put 1t up to William II. / don't
think there will be any occasion for
me to veto any brick bills thereafter.
There is no confusion in this mat.
ter as far as I am concerned. MY at.
titude IL the same as II was four
weeks ago. without malice of any de.
scription, am saying weekly to the
commissioner OF public works: Test
our brick as you have agreed-if II is