The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-08
COMMUNICATIONS.
From the Mayor.

To the Honorable the Common Council
Gentlemcn--I am informed through
the public press that at an informsi
session held on last Sneurday. instruc-
ton was given to the Corporation
Counsel to prepare bill 10 SO amenn
the city charter as TO increase the limit
OF bonded indebtedness from two 70
three per cent This action on part or
your honorable body has my approval
have examined the section OF the
charter which limits our debt-contrecI-
ing power tSection Z of Chapter I'D.
and noting that IL In so worded that
these bonds are TO be issued annually
in liue OF raising the money by taxa
ton. should recommend TO your pody
that the amendment be made TO include
police stations, FIRE houses. play
grounds, bath houses, street openings,
and high-pressure water system, SO
issue bonds for these purposes instead
OF placing them on tax rolls when IL Is
deemed advisable to your body and TO
the Board OF Estimates.
WIN. d THOMPSON.
Referred to Committee on Charter
and City LEGISLATION.
FROM THE SAME.
TO the Honorable the Common COUNCIL:
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to the recent de-
cision of the supreme court or the state
of Michigan, think IL incumbent upon
Your honorable body to take such ac-
ton as will make apparent the posi-
ton OF the City OF Detroit, IL Is Tor
this purpose that l address to you this
communication. ..
II has been pointed out that to meet
the situation, one of two things Is pos
sible: either amend the Home Rule
Act, or proceed TO a general revision
this latter proposition entails, should
not like to see the city placed in an
attitude where It would have no other
80 49, Al A.. - "a ...ANN
require the expenditure OF an amount
OF money which has not been counted
upon, very modest estimate OF which
makes Il sixty or seventy thousand dol
lars. While we should save this money
IL AZ Is possible for Us to do so. we cer-
taInly should not be placed In a posi-
ton which would compel us to ex-
pend IL and then possibly accomplish
A general revision OF Detroit,
charter Is no ANAL undertaking. Grand
Rapids began its sessions on December
fst last, and expects TO remain in ses.
sion until after April LIST. Port Huron
required i've months. and Pontiac re-
CURED Ave months within which TO re-
wise the charters of these municipal
tiles Under these circumstances, Il
would not be extraordinary " Detroit
would require year. This, with th'
time consumed In elections, primar,
and regular. for the charter commits
sioners and the final election for IN,
adoption or rejection Of the charter
would eat up close 10 two years q
the end of which time the work, as
whole. with Its good and Its bad pro
visions, would be submitted 70 the PEG
pie. With what result Ia IL certainl,
exceedingly doubtful TO tell. IL ap
proved we might then proceed towar
the accomplishment OF some OF tn
things that are very near TO the heart
OF the people OF this community. I
rejected, all OF this work, with It's sC
companying additional expenditure o
money. would have TO be repeated
seems that under such circumstance
there could be but one opinion an
should be but one opinion. II II {
possible 10 avoid that contingency an
tLc enabling Home Rule Act placed 1
nuch shape that II would be possibl
: TO amend n from time 20 time befoT
this work was inauEurated or eve
while the work was IN progress thl
should be done. And / recommend thu
The Council lend the weight OF its I'm
fuence 90 the accomplishment OF thi
Respectfully.
wM Is. THOMPSON
Referfe6 70 Committee on Charte
and City Legislation.
To the Honorable the Common Connci
f-rrflrr0eD---Ou Monday. February