The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-16

somebody VINO can put IL ny ia '
proper form"
The mayor Of Sturgis got the floor
and asked for information rs 10
whether the home rule bill apphes 10
cities OF the fourth class without
those cities taking any action In the
way of revising their charter. Mr..
Hally explained that it did within GER
tain limitations, which he explained.
Mayor Thompson was then recoS-
nized and, for the benefit or the
gentleman from Lapeer," stated that
there was no disposition on his part
to take any snap judgments or rush
the resolution through without full
discussion. He locked horns with
Brown, however, on the question OF
inviting the attorneys who opposed
the city in the municipal ownership
case TO address the gathering.
Il don't see why We should send out
for corporation attorneys who are op-
posed to the city's interests to come
here and talk to u.s." said the mayor.
I'VE have Mr.. Hally and We, here In
Detroit, believe he Is fully competent
TO handle the matter.
Mr.. Brown declared, that, In his
opinion, there was a very serious
question as to the constitutionality OF
the proposed amendment. and ne
thought the league should act most
circumspectly. His opposition Was
not wholly unexpected, however. AS
member OF the constitutional con-
yention, he is said TO have been op-
posed to home rule.
He was always on that side OF the
fence" said one of the visiting dele
gates after the meeting.
Replying to the mayors remark as
to the corporation attorneys, Brown
said:
II am a city attorney myself, put
I have never been SO thin-skinned tha'
1was not willing to listen to what at.
torneys on the other side had TO say.
II was then that Mayor Ellis came
forward with his resolution inviting
Attorneys Spalding and Angel to at
tend the afternoon meeting and TINS
closed the discussion, the Adjournment
following Immediately after the reso'
tuition had been unanimously adopted
Mayor william Waltz. OF Ann AT
Dor, president of the league, called the
meeting to order at IL O'Clock. Inc
roll call showed representatives or ~
cities present, but others came In iat
er. Most Of the officials who had been
invited by the mayor were members
of the league. Mayor Waltz said that
when the league learned that the
mayor was arranging for conference
| II was suggested that he unite WITH
the league for joint meeting and To
this Mr.. Thompson assented. There
was no friction whatever, the chair
man stated. The purpose OF the meet
| ing, be explained. was to decide wna'
| course was best for the cities or the
state to pursue in view of the supreme
courts decision in the municipal own
ership case In securing needed char
ter changes.
/ Corporation Counsel Hally was
called on and briefly explained the de
cision, declaring that, in his opinion
there was no question as to the legis
| latures right TO amend the home rule
bill along the lines suggested.
Attorney George William Moore
spoke along similar lines and Con
troller Heineman urged the represent
atives not to make Il impossible fol
| Detroit TO secure needed changes In
| llS cnhTleT as Spceuiiy dS pOsoiDic DS
cause they might happen TO be sat
isfied with their own charters.
Attorney Moore expressed the belief
that general revision might be desir
able later. but he added significantly
There are certain influence we
think we can get rid OF by amending
our charter at this time, before under
taking general revision, Influences
that We ought to get rid Of before en-
gaging in such an undertaking
Sweeping in character are the
amendments proposed by Mayor
| Thompson 10 the Hally home rule law
Corporation Counsel Hally. viii;
drafted the home rule law. also drew
I'D the amendments at the mayor'sre
quest. He proposes to change the Law
In the following particulars:
l. So that individual amendments
/ may be made TO existing city charters
1 without having first general revision
| OF the existing charter, or the adop-
tfon OF n new charter
2 To compel the separation OF mu.
| nicipsl elections from national cleo
To leave cities free 20 select their
| city officers. both At primaries and ~