The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-28

Ing the item. They were Robins,
Behlow, Long and Dingeman.
Barnett had previously announced
his intention 10 oppose the salary in
creases unless the board cut out the
high school item, but he surprised
the members by becoming an adyo-
cate OF the boost. There was hur-
ried conference between Barnett and
Estimator Dingeman, and the latter,
at the proper time, announced that
he had decided TO withdraw the MI
nority report opposing the increases.
Dingeman explained that, while the
schedule of increases that had been
submitted was not satisfactory, he
would vote for II rather than do an
injustice TO the teachers whom he
considered worthy OF an increase.
Barnett's conversion" was not
prompted altogether by a desire TO
do justice TO the teachers.
I'm not going to oppose another
item" he said. privately I'm Just
going to let 'em go ahead and allow
everything now"
The plain inference was that II the
tax rate Is abnormally high this year.
the blame will be on the men who op-
posed Barnett, as the latter views
II.
Barnett won his fight to restore the
item OF $4,000 for the purchase OF a
lot adjoining the Trowbridge school,
on which Henry Mincel proposes to
erect large barn.
In response to forceful appeal
by Aid. Gilman, the board allowed
$4,000 for the purpose OF making the
new Bennett school In the Eighteenth
ward a l7-room, instead OF broom
building. An appropriation for II
room building was allowed last year.
The board of education has delayed
the work, however. In the hope or
securing the appropriation for the
larger building. The contracts will
be let as soon as the board Rdjourns.
The estimators allowed minor In
creases to certain employees In the
office OF the board OF education. The
public building, public entertainment
and d. p. w. general funds went
through without change.
Just before the board adjourned.
Estimator Gordon presented a reso-
luton calling on Mayor Thompson TO
go over the work OF the estimators
thus far and suggest any changes he
saw At He declared this action
only proper in view Of the fact that
the mayors secretary, Ernest Kunz,
had been criticizing the board for
being too liberal. as he claimed.
The board voted down the resolu.
ton, and Gordon thereupon sent the
following communication TO the may
or.
Nv dear Mr. Thompson: AS
member of,the board OF estimates
for the city of Detroit and having
In mind the statement submitted
by your honor, at one of the first
meetings OF the board, / am de-
sirous of getting the benefit OF the
advice OF the chief executive or
this city on theb udget which Is
now practically completed.
will your honor do me the favor
Of advising me as TO which Items.
II any, should be changed in-the
budget as IL now stands?
II seems to me TO be eminent
ly fitting at this time that your
honor should point out, publicly,
where this budget can be reduced
to the advantage OF the city and
the taxpayers generally.
Yours very respectfully,
ARTHUR Z. GORDON.
The board will hold what will prob
ably be dts final business session Fri
day night, when II will go over the
enormous street budget, which as 1t
now stands, totals over $2,0O0,OOO.
- ~ no I'd Hhnrn litV
Thursday night, the tax rate Is almost
certain TO be considerably In excess
Of SIS this year.
The estimators, Thursday after
noon. allowed every item in the po
lice budget as submitted by EST
mator Wobrock's committee, includ-
ing that of 1921 500 for $50 addition
al policemen. Estimator Klebba put
in a minority report, recommending
that the number be reduced TO 100,
which provoked a long discussion,
hut when the vote was taken kleb-
ba. Schneider and Frisch were the
only estimators who held out against
the allowance OF $50 men.
Estimator Dingeman made a mo-
ton to allow 200 new men, the num-
Der originally asked for by Commits
sioner Croul, but at the latters own
request withdrew 1t.
Estimator Craig, who In other
years has been one of the foremost
advocates of economy, made speech
in which he said that the estimators
must take cognizance of Detroits un-
paralleled industrial growth.
while some Of us have slumber-
ed. Detroit has passed through a
period OF evolution and growth not
paralIeled by any city in the coun-
try" he said.
His speech was the only one OF the
afternoon that was applauded.
The public health and poor COM