The Detroit times., 1912-05-27

nothing bur vote TO raise the salaries
OF men getting $500 or more. And that
has constituted the sum total OF mat
commissioners work.
p'rhe board recently increased the
salaries OF a dozen or more men re-
ceiyihg over 5000, and a goodly num-
Der ~ those increases were asked for
BY Commissioner Lane. voted in
! favor OF the proposition TO increase
the wages of the day laborers from
$l55 TO 81 as suggested in recent
meetings OF the board by Commits
sioner Lemke because | always raw
ored such action and was glad TO see
II rut through.
The all-important question, how
ever. for the boards consideration
was the installation of new intake
and other improvements recommend
ed for many months by our own
enginere and later recommended oy
Prof. Williams. No time should have
been lost in taking up these improve
ments. But you know how the board
slLetracked consideration OF Prof
williams report and spent its time
raising salaries. The commissioners
understood the mayors views on
these improvements they had the
report of Expert Williams. stating
that they are absolutely necessary
Did rhey proceed TO act on IL? No,
sir; after spending hours in talking
salary increases they proceeded TO
negotiate for the purchase OF a site
for a park adjoining the water works.
They proceeded 10 do that knowing
that they would have 10 pay about
100000 for the land. buy II at the
own price. letting the proper.
ny owners know all about II in adj
vance. This track contains 80 acres,
II Of which are under water, some or
IL % feet deep, Did you ever hear
of such ridiculous proposition?
1.-The water board. up against II for
money TO supply the city with water,
planning 10 spend 100000 for park!
This purchase OF the land for park
purposes is something entirely out OF
The Jurisdiction of the water board. IL
has no more authority TO buy a park
than II has TO take the money and
pnt in the pockets OF the members.
The commissioners who favor this
deal should be removed ] did not
want to be put ia a position OF dis
agreeing with all my associates on
the hoard in this matter. But | as
sumed that putting money in swamp
lands is little better than making
grab bag out OF II.
81 am a man of surprises, anyhow.
so | thought | would surprise the
mayor and let him know what I
thought about the whole deal. do
not complain OF the time have sacri-
feed for the good of the city, without
thought OF remuneration. let the
public judge OF my record, but | made
up my mind that | would not be put in
the position OF chronically disagreeing
with my associates when / knew that
was right.
The expenditure OF 500, 900 for the
park is not the end of IL. II the land
is bought II means that the city will
have to spend $4,000 to $4,000 To
maintain each year. Bear In mind
that | am not opposing the purchase
of parks. think they are good things.
What kick about, however. Is the
fact that the water board. having no
authorization in law TO buy land for
park purposes, proceeds TO go outside
the law, evade it's duties and spend
$i00, 900 for park when the CITY is
on the verge OF water famine"
!. The resolution adopted by the board
does not state that the board will buy
the land, but provides for opening me-
gotiations. Pound expressed himself
very forcibly against the proposal In
the last meeting, Tuesday. Commits
sioner Gillespie was the only member
to make reply to Pounds objections.
He said:
IF they want too much for the land
might oppose its purchase. am
not committed to buying the property.
but think the board will eventually
need the land and now may be the
best time 10 acquire It,"
Mayor Thompson refused, Saturday.
to express himself for publication on
what he thought Of the work OF Com
missioners Pound, Lane or Lemke.