The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-03-29
KOlbE IS GIVEN
CASINO PRIVILEGE
William Konen Bids Higher But
Aldermen Say They've Had
Enough Of Him.
Exit William Konen.

Exit William Konen.
By a vote of 26 to Z, the common
council. Tuesday night, awarded the
contract for the Belle Isle casino
privilege to Paul Kobe, a well-known
baker and caterer, at $5.625 per year,
Notwithstanding that the $4,000 bid
of Mr.. Konen, the present lessee, was
the highest of all those submitted.
The aldermen showed plainly, how
ever, that they had had enough or
Konen. The old complaints Of last
summer, when Konen sold beer on
the lawn during the Elks' convention
and boasted Of his ''tubful Of money"
were raked up again and many unkind
things were said of the lessee, who
was an interested spectator. About
80 of Kilbe's friends filed the lobby
of the council chamber and took a
keen interest in the debate. When
the result was finally announced
Kobe was popular hero and held
an impromptu reception In the rear
of the chamber.
The committee on parks and boule-
wards had submitted divided report
on the casina bids. The majority re-
port, signed by Aid. Thompson, the
chairman; Aid. McCarty, Hindle and
Rosenthal, recommended that the con-
tract be awarded to Konen. Aid FL
lis, Lynch and Merritt, in a minority
report, favored Kobe. Aid. Thompson
thought the council should award the
contract TO Konen to be consistent,
IL for no other reason, as all the 9TH
er park privileges had been awarded
to the highest bidders. Aid. Ellis re-
ferred to the many complaints that
had been made against Konen and
pointed out that there was nothing to
prevent the council from awarding
the contract to a lower bidder IL IL
saw fit.
Aid. Gutman left the presidents
chair to champion Kolbe's cause on
the floor He cited instances Of inso-
lent treatment on the part OF Konen's
walters, and declared that when pat
rons had asked for any OF the COM
bination lunches called for In the con-
tract they had usually met with the
response that these combinations
were the result of some fool work
OF the council"
We've had enough Of Konen," de-
clared Gutman. IF he had bid $4,000
more would have voted against him.
Mr.. Kolbe is fine woung man, a
good baker and know that he will
give us excellent service
"Konen's attitude has been the pub
lie be damned and | don't see how
you can stand for man like that
said Aid. Merritt.
Aid. Allan defended Konen, arguing
that to deprive him OF the contract
would be TO practically condscate the
property that now constitutes his
equipment in the casino. He had
dined In the casino on numerous occa-
sions and had always found the SER
vice good.
Aid. Littlefeld was applauded by
the lobby when he said:
I'D like to know what Konen thinks
this privilege Is really worth. He's
offered all the way from $4,000 TO
81 500 for II at at different times
Aid. Brozo, explaining his vote, said
that there was an erroneous impress
sion in some quarters that this was
fight between Konen and Kobe.
Its a fight of the people against
Konen," he added, and the lobby broke
f0rth anew.
The seven aldermen who stood by
Konen and voted against the minority
report were: Allan, Field, Hindle. Nc
Carty, Rosenthal, Thompson and
Tossy.
While no charges were made openly
story was circulated among the
aldermen to the eeffct that Konen had
contrived to get line on Kolbe's bid
and had thus been able to submit u
higher one. Konen denies this.
Kolbe agrees to give a special
chicken dinner for so cents. He will
also sell bakery lunches, including
pies, cookies, doughnuts, rolls, etc,
at the same prices as prevail down
town.
Don't fail TO hear Bishop berry OF
Buffalo. Every day this week l2:Oo