The Detroit times., 1911-01-04
BIT TER FIGHT ON
BETWEEN bACKUs
AND BARNETT
Question of Who'll Head Board Of
Estimators Will Be Settled in
Caucus Tonight - Both Sides
Getting Written Pledges.
Eddie" Seems To Be in Lead, and
Claims He'll Have an Easy
Victory.

In the council chamber. Wednesday
evening. the chairmanship of the
board of estimates for 1911 will be
determined In a caucus, in which Re-
publicans and Democrats alike will
participate. The fight is between Es.i-
mator Edward Barnett, of the Third
ward, and Estimator Standish Back
us, of the First ward Both sides are
making big claims. Each candidate
says he expects TO win, and as the
hour OF the contest approaches the
rivalry is becoming bitter
The preliminary skirmish was
fought out between Estimator Bar
nett and Estimator Bertrand Porter,
of the Eighth ward, in an ante-room
of the council chamber during the
session OF the common council, Tues
day night. Porter is one of the more
active Backus supporters.
I've got you beaten declared
Barnett.
We'll. If all the men who have
promised TO vote for Backus keep
their word you haven't a chance" re-
turned Porter.
I've got my pledges in black and
white" pursued Eddie, producing a
much worn and much-thumbed paper
will you let me see them?"
We'll, | guess not. will tomor-
row night after the caucus"
"Will you let me read what they
subscribed to?'
Yes, III do that with pleasure, >
h.. 10
Il thought you had agreed not TO
circulate any petition"
That was the understanding, but
you fellows broke over yourselves. |
learned that you fellows were starting
out to get written pledges and | beat
you to IL. | jumped into an automo-
bile and got all the signatures | need
ed before you were fairly started"
Yes. but they'll not all stick"
Well, I'll tell you right now that
If any man who has pledged himself
TO me votes the other way I'll tell him
what think OF him right on the fioor
of the caucus"
Barnett charged that the opposi-
ton had used the fact that he is IN
the saloon business against him and
Eddie opened up TRADE against Ger
tain church members who are too
good to go into saloon, but who
drink more in a week than | do in
wear"
IF there's any saloon issue in this
campaign. you've made it yourself,
retorted Porter. I'VE are @ ng a
clean fight"
A Times reporter counted 10 sigma
Ia. al N a
he has enough other written pledges,
in the form OF letters, to make total
OF %, two more than he needs TO win
in case the full membership OF the
board turns out tonight.
Friends OF both candidates were
busy all day Tuesday. There were
some interesting developments during
the day. In the afternoon, Estimator
Frank McElroy, who, since his cleo
ton, has accepted a position in the
controllers office, called il the city
clerks Office and was sworn in. This
was a surprise, as it was understood
that he would resign in order to re-
tain his position in the controllers
office.
When seer Immediately afterwards,
McElroy said that while he would
probably resign later, he thought
there was no particular hurry about
it.
There will be no sessions until
spring and | did not know but that
might arise that would
make il possible for me TO remain on
the board" said he. In that case, OF
course, would have TO quit the con-
troller's office"
However. McElroy's resignation
from the board OF estimates was sub
mitted to the council Tuesday night,
and Albert Pfister, Jr., was appointed
in his place. The little arrangement
gave evidence of having been all cut
and-dried, for Immediately aiser the
was announced, the
Backus supporters claimed that he
had pledged himself TO vote for their
man.
Estimator Barnett, on the other
hand, was not worrying.
"Pfister is all right" he declared.
Estimator Herman Rohns has with
drawn from the chairmanship contest
and declares he has thrown his sup
port to Barnett.
In his opinion, Barnett's election is
assured. There is talk OF Rohns for
a dark horse, however, In case the con-
test between Barnett and Backus re
suits in a deadlock.