The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-20
PAP COMBINE
WANTS THE OFFICE
That Is Explanation Of Attack on
Eddie Schreiter, Whose Position
Is Non Partisan.

Some of the men familiar with the
inner workings OF local politics pro
fess TO see I'm the movement TO GUST
Eddie Schreiter, secretary OF the com.
mon council committees, an attempt
on the part of Pap-Swappers' league
to acquire n little more patronage
and, In consequence, a little more pow
er, through the medium of the city
clerks office. The action OF the
board OF estimates Wednesday night,
however. I'm restoring the position or
clerk TO Secretary Schreiter, which
was cut out by the committee In
charge of the general fund indicates
that Schreiter Is still on top.
The whole scheme was concocted
by the Pap-Swappers league said
a city hall attache, Wednesday, III
Schreiters job were placed under the
control OF the city clerk IL would at
once assume political Importance,
whereas now 1t Is on non-partisan
basis, and il would simply put the city
clerks office In a position to grant
little fayors that would add greatly
10 the political prestige of the office
and which might prove rather expen-
sive to the city at times. That Is the
whole thing in nut shell.
But, even though the board OF esti-
mates should abolish the Office OF sec
rotary OF the council committees,
which is not likely In view OF the
opinion submitted by Corporation Hal
ly, Wednesday night. chat the coun-
ell has the power TO create such q
position), there is nothing to prevent
the council from reinstating Schreiter
and calling hfs office by another name.
This plan has been followed on at
least two other occasions and Schreit-
er was the employe involved in each
instance.
The fight over Schreiter resulted
in an exchange of personalities at
Wednesday nights session OF the
board OF estimates, the estimators
holding their first session as com
mittee of the whole. When the item
of 5000 for Schreiter's clerk wss
reached, Estimator Craig moved thai
II be reinstated in the budget, in view
of Hallys opinion that the council
had acted wholly within its rights IN
creating the Office OF secretary OF the
council committees. President Bar
nett. who had relinquished the chair
TO Estimator Behlow, insisted that
the corporation counsel's opinion had
nothing 10 do with this particular
item.
THE reason we cut out this posi-
ton was because we thought that the
secretary should work in conjunction
with the city clerk" said Barnett.
Il don't think this board wants the
secretarys clerk running to the thea
tiers for passes for the aldermen
Schreiter was sent for and was ask.
ed II he had authorized anyone TO
move the reinstatement OF the Item
for the clerk.
IL can't authorize any estimator 10
do anything" was Schreiter's smiling
reply.
lis it absolutely necessary for you
to have a clerk" Estimator Mcqueen
asked.
Schreiter didn't see how he could
possibly get along without one. Asked
IL the records OF the councils tran
sactlons In his possession we're al
ways open to public inspection,
Schreiter said that he was always
ready to show any records except
those which the aldermen had re.
quested him to keep from tie papers
mo man on Gods green eartn
could make me give those up he
added
Asked IL II were true that his clerk
runs errands, Schreiter replied by
shooting this question at City Clerk
Nichols:
Something has been said about the
aldermen getting passes. Your mes
senger goes on similar errands some
times. doesn't hep"
I'm not on trial here" replied
Nichols. bristling up
Barnett charged that pressure had
been brought to bear in Schreiters
behalf. The brewer with whom he
trades had even been to see him NJ
the request OF someone, presumably d
friend of Schreiter's, he said.
Estimator Robinson, one of the
veteran members of the board, who
had spoken in favor of the reinstate-
ment OF the item, took exception 70
Barnett's remarks about pressure be
ing brought to bear and Barnett re-
piled rather tartly. Estimator Craig
called attention to Mr.. Robnson's
white hairs.
put in Robinson, addressing the
president.
I'm just as much of a gentleman
as you," was Barnctts retort.
When II finally came to vote on
the reinstatement OF the item, Esti-
mator Craig's motion carried by just
one vote. The count was Is for, 10
IL against. A motion to restore the
position OF draughtsman in Schreiter's
Office was lost, 16 to 13.
The discussion prolonged the SEES
sion nearly two hours, and, because
of the late adjournment, Estimator
Robins announced that there would be
no meeting OF the committee In
charge of the fire department budget,
as had been planned. Other mem
bers insisted. and President Barnett
ordered that the meeting be held.
Robins promptly complied.
The committee made but few cuts.