The Detroit times., 1911-01-10
THOMPSON TOUnGE
CITY OWNERSHIP
IN MESSAGE
Will Reiterate Campaign Statements
On Subject and Make Strong I.
Plea For Non-P -Partisanship
in Municipal Affairs.
Simple Ceremonies Mark the Formal
Handing Over of the once to
the New Mayor.


ly urged as solution OF the street
car question in Mayor William D.
1hompson's inaugural message to |.
the common council, Tuesday night
On this subject his message viii be
practically q reiteration Of his cam
paign utterances on the subject. It
is also understood that the mayor
viii recommend day to day agree
ment OF some sort pending the adj
vent OF municipal ownership, though
the mayor himself is non-committa1,
on the subject.
Asked II he would attempt to Sci
cure a temporary settlement on this'
basis, the mayor replied:
Well cross that bridge when We
come to it,"
The message also will declare
strongly for non-partisanship In mun-t
icipal Affairs, q matter ON which he
laid much stress In the campaign.;
He takes the position that he was NOT
elected by Democratic votes or by3
Republican votes. but was elected By.
the people without regard to party,
and city oficials, he feels, should APP.
proach their duties In the same:
spirit.
There will unquestionably be q rcfs
erence to the Hally ordinance, which
was adopted by the council, but which
has been hanging fire In the United
States court ever since, awaiting the
outcome of injunction proceedings In
stituted by the bondholders. Economy
In the expenditure of public money
and retrenchment on the part OF the
various departments with view 10
keeping the tax rate down, will bo
strongly urged.
Retiring Mayor Breitmeyer formal
ly turned over the job Of running the
city to his successor at 10 o'clock
Tuesday morning. After brief feltci-
tations, Mr.. Breitmeyer and his Iafe
secretary, Frederick Van Fleet, tuck
led few personal belonging under
/ their arms and took their. 1eove. Ioav-
| ing Mayor Thompson and Secretary>
Ernest w. -Kurx I'm full command NJ
Sergt Alvin Hicks remains on the
job and will continue to KEEP tab on
the loan sharks and see that the COM
missary Is well stocked on all special
occasions. Under his direction. the
reception room or the mayors suite
was tastefully decorated with palms,
potted plants and flags on the occasion,
OF the formal transfer. and the SER;
geant saw to II that there were plenty
of cigars on hand for those who drop
ped I'm to greet the new executive and
say goodbye to the old one.
AS his last official act, Mayor Brett
meyer will send to the council, Tues
day night. a brief exaugural messages
recalling his efforts 70 settle the street,
car question and recommending that
the city pay for the services OF some.
OF the engineers employed by the COM
mittee OF ffty in connection with the
appraisal OF the ID. u. r.
In his retiring speech, MAYOR
Breitmeyer said:
Two years ago our friends were
gathered here on similar occasion.
Some said to me then, You'll be may
or for the next century, and be-,
lieved them, but we were all mistake
en-. However, l have no regrets to-
offer In giving up the office OF mayor
at this time. Nothing but sunshine
has entered the office during the past
Two years and | have enjoyed every
minute of the time. You, Mr.. Thomp-
son, gave me the badge OF ONCE, the
keys, on which there Is no stain or
any kind, and the seal of the city.
| now turn them all back to you with
my best wishes for a successful ad-
ministration. hope you Will carry
out the principle | have established
OF telling the truth 10 the people all
the time"
Mr.. Breitmeyer thanked the news
paper men present for their cour.
teous treatment during his adminis-
tration and put in good word ior
Sergt. Alvin Hicks. who has been at.
tached to the office through several
administrations.
II hope you'll keep him here, No
said.
Hes re-appointed already re-
turned the new mayor.
There can he no doubt that you
cave the city the benefit OF your best
efforts" said Mayor Thompson, In
reply. II am sure that you always
exercised your best Judgment and
performed your duty as you saw y.
and no one can say otherwise. | shall
always be pleased TO see your smil
ing face and hope You will come In
often"
About 100 politicians, officials and
tContfnued On Page Two)
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