The Detroit times., 1911-03-07
BARNETT PLEADS
FOR SCHOOLS AND
FAIRGROUNDS
Tells Estimators That These Are
Necessary and That Generous APP
preparations Should Be Made
Thinks D. P. w. Budget
Excessive.
Favors Boosting Salaries Of Police
men and Firemen and Such Teach.
ers as Are Underpaid.

In accordance with law, the new
board OF estimates met in the council
chamber at 10 o'clock. Monday morn
ing. and organized for the year. Esti-
mator Eddie" Barnett, OF the Third
ward, the nominee Of the Republican
caucus for president of the board, was
elected without even a roll call, City
Clerk Nichols, as secretary OF the
board, casting the ballot for the en-
tire body on mouon OF Estimator Cor
don, OF the Fourth ward. Estimators
Gordon and Andrus escorted the presi-
dent TO the rostrum
President Barnetts inauguration
speech was a splendid effort and
brought him many compliments from
members of the board. While he
that no fund should be slashed so
deeply as to impair the efficiency OF
any city department.. He advocated
increased wages for the policemen,
firemen and for the public school
teachers in the lower grades who are
row underpaid, and urged liberal APP
preparations for public schools and
Fairgrounds.
Barnett's committee appointments
seemed to meet with almost general
favor. He took good care OF his
friends in handing out the chairman
ships, but showed no malice in plac-
ing those who voted against him III
the caucus. StandisD Backus, who
opposed him for the presidency, was
given a place on the board OF educa-
ton committee, one of the most I'M
portant of the lot.
Estimator Barnett'c inauguration
was brilliant affair in literal
sense. His good friend, ex-State Sen
ator John ID. MacKay, on behalf OF a
number of friends whom Eddie had
assisted in various ways, presented
him with a magnificent diamond ring,
set with a stone weighing more than
two carats. On the inside OF the ring
was this inscription:
/. Presented to Edward Barnett
president of the Board OF Estimates.
From friends. March 6, 1911"
Estimator Frank ID. Andrus, as one
OF the older members, spoke briefly,
urging the estimators to forget ward
boundaries and work for the interests
of the city at large. He urged sort
OF middle-ofthe-road policy in hand
ling the budget, neither too liberal nor
too conservative. Estimator Gordon
spoke on behalf or the new members,
and the board then adjourned TO meet
again April 5, when II will begin con-
,sideration OF the budget. Martin
Cohn. No. 401 Catherine-st, was re-
appointed messenger for the board.
The estimators and few outsiders
were guests OF President Barnett at
luncheon I'm the Dresden cafe.
President Barnett's speech to the
board was in part as follows:
An unusually large budget has been
presented to the common council larg-
err by several million dollars than has
ever before been submitted Watched
as we are by the eyes OF the taxpayers
pected by them to do our duty and at
the same time to use our judgment In
keeping the tax rate at a reasonable
figure BY this / mean that. taking
into consideration all the requests be-
fore us, we must determine just what
are most necessary to the city ut the
present time. and which OF these can
be most reasonably granted from the
resources in sight. The problem Is ell
the harder from the failure OF the peo-
pie TO increase the bond limit while
they had an opportunity TO do so.
thereby postponing the building OF
schools and the construction of sewers
and hospitals and other permanent
public improvements.
i believe that there Is pressing
need for more schools. especially In the
densely populated districts of the city.
Al understand that there are halliday
= sessions In 81 rooms, and that many
OF these rooms are In the districts
where a grammar school education IS
OF the utmost Importance to the chill
oit rn fnF ma n
their only preparation for the battle
OF life These children should be given
q better opportunity for getting tho
schooling which they need. and should
not be forced to put up with crowded
conditions and the loss OF the teach
.er's attention which halliday session