The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-06-03
Chosen Over J. :. Holden For
Dust's Place When Schmal-
Zriedt Declines
ONE ASSESSOR VS.. BOARD
OF FIVE MEMBERS
Commission Has Long Squab-
bic Over Matter, But Reach
No Decision

president Of the Motor Tire q Repair
Co., was elected member OF the char
ter commission, Monday morning, aft
or letter from Fred r. Schmalzried'
had been read, declining election &c
the vacancy left by the resignation OF
William 4. Dust. Mr.. Eikhoff ran for
one OF the Republican nominations for
memberat-large. but was defeated.
receiving l.413 votes.
Commission ingram objected To the
election OF successor 10 Mr.. Dust,
claiming that the work OF the com
mission had progressed so far that a
new member must enter under big
handicap. Mr.. Burton replied that 1t
was the evident intent OF the trainers
Of the law TO Eave an odd number OF
commissioners, and said that TO leave
d vacancy would cause danger Of tie
vote, 10 10 10, on important questions
Mr.. Wretord nominated James S. Hol-
der, real estate man. NJ: Dande!l
nominated Mr.. Eikhoh Mr. Heating
nominated former Aid Charles Il. Nc
Carly, one OF the Progressive candi-
dates for member at-large, who ran
next to Mr.. Schmalzreidt in the cleo
ton.
The vote stood For Mr. Holden
Burch. Burton, Broadway. Ferris, Joy,
Merrell. Wexford. and Denby--S For
Mr.. Eikhoff-Ahern, Dandell Fischer,
Funk, Guthard, Hacker, Ingram, Koch
er. Szymanski, Tossy, and Wesch-ll
For Mr.. McCarty-k eating Mr.
Heating changed his vote 10 Mr. Ho-
den before the result was read
Mr. Holden apparently. was the can
didate OF the progressive division OF
the commission. but MIR. ingram and
Mr. Ahern seemed better acquainted
with MIR. Eikhoff. and voted for him.
Mr.. Schmalzriedt. in declining cleo
ton by letter, said.
After comforting with my asso-
ciates, | find that II is impossible for
US to arrange our affairs so as TO en-
able me TO act as a member OF the
commission Besides, there is the OBJ
lection that many important PROPOSE
tons have already been disposed OF.
and | do not feel that ! should be ex.
pected TO give my approval TO pro-
visions in the proposed charter with
out having had an opportunity OF TAX
ing part In the discussions and DELHI
erations concerning the same
There was a sharp discussion as 10
whether the report OF the finance COM
,nittee ought TO be taken up in com
mittee of the whole. Mr.. Tossy plead
ing for delay. saying that he had not
read the report Mr. Burch aroused
Mr. Tossys wrath by suggesting that
the president notify the commission.
each day. that the members ought to
read the legislation next to be con
sidered
One who stays away every other
day. as YOU do, is scarcely one to criti-
cize member for failing in his duty"
said Mr.. Tossy.
IF | didn't have funeral every
other day, | wouldn't be here at all, .
retorted Mr., Burch, who Is an under
taker.
Mr.. Tossy finally withdrew his OBJ.
iections,. and the committee took up
Mr.. Ferris proposal for single
assessor. TO be appointed by the mayor.
and five assistants, to be named by
the assessor. This Is an alternative
to the report OF the finance committee
recommending Ave assessors, one to
be appointed each year.
When one assessor Is appointed
each year, II always happens that at
least one member Is appointed by an
other mayor than the one who named
the other assessors" said Mr.. Ferris, Ia
support OF his plan. 1T seems TO be
the chosen policy OF this commission
10 allow the mayor TO appoint all the
)ffice heads when he takes Office This
policy Will result in Capitalization of
authority. II the incoming mayor
can appoint but one OF Ave each year
there IL likely TO be Il divided policy
on the board. II may be argued that
one assessor as head OF the office
would have too much power, but his
Ave assistants would be a great check
on him.
IAN example OF rule by board
rnay be seen In the ONCE OF the county
auditors. II two OF the members have
n personal grudge against the third
the minority member can get nothing
Commissioner Dust has told me
more than once that the work of the
by giving complete power TO one man
instead OF to board, and Mr.. Dust
had considerable experience I'm the
office
Mr.. Wesch made an eloquent speech
In favor OF abolshing the assessors
Office. and letting the aldermen do the
assessment work, He declared that
he was under the impression that the
people had elected the charter com
mission 20 reduce their taxes.
Mr.. Dandell, chairman OF the finance
committee, stood by the board plan
pleading for five assessors. rather
than three, because OF the city's
growth
Mr. Sgymansh declared that the
single assessor would he a figurehead
that he would be inaccessible TO the
small taxpayer with n complaint. that
he would have To remain in his office
and would be unfamiliar with the field
work
If the Office Is maze non.continu.
Gus. and the entire force goes out al
once. ,nere will be one In the new adj
ministration who Is. familiar with the
office, he said
Mr Merreil favored board OF three
assessors. not all OF whom would be
OF The sans party. He believed that
one man would not be able to handle
the innuieitorial work
I'm not In favor OF enc man doing
The work. said Mr.. Gu;hard. Hell
leave IL To his deputies, and 7 never