The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-24
lDS ARE TO
= LEFT WITH
nd BOUNDARIES
nrter Commission Refuses to
X nsdistrict City According 10
Population
ABOLISH WARD SYSTEM
SOON, DECLARS DENLY
PrupoGal for City Department Of
\ Electricity, of Wide Scope,
introduced by Ahern

H ~ proposal 70 reArTdoge the warn
oouudaries of Detroit 80 as TO make
the voting strength OF the new wards
os nearly equal as possible was de-
4 loatod by the charter commission,
E9friday morning. by decisive vote.
The measure was introduced by
q SCommissioner Ferris. after Commits
a siouer Burton had brought In the re-
mort OF his committee on ward boun-
kedariee, which was re-referred to the
committee after having been consid-
cred few days ago. Mr.. Ferris want
\ "a the committee instructed to revise
E1tS report to provide for 81 wards
E0ontaining an equal number Of voters,
Haocording to the last complete city
®istration. and for . revision OF the
fward boundaries every eight years.
" on the basis Of the presidential regis
8txation.
Mr.. 0uthard. who delights to op-
pose everything presented by Mr.. Fer
h III, objected tn the word instruct
'sThat is not the proper way to do
D .business," he said. Il tell you what,
&l don't think you could instruct me
do anything"
Mr.. DENLY explained to Mr.. Guth-
ard that al committees act under In
kotructions, but the Third ward COM
Emissioner was far from appeased.
Mr.. DENLY objected to Mr.. Ferris
n proposal.
II am sure that before the eight
kyear period Is over the city will have
\ adOpted q system OF electing at large.
HE said. IF We try now to redistrict
the city according TO voting popula-
MON, we shall raise question that
Twill take up the entire time OF the
Eeommission for weeks. II we try to
take streets and districts from one
Ew4fd and put them in another, we
Enlhll raise endless political argu.
Entnts. There has been no cutlery, no
&6Gkormination on the part of the peo-
X pie 10 change the ward boundaries.
& believe that no wrong will be done by
lenv1ng the boundaries as they are. :"
Mr. Ingram took the opposite SIDE.
k13N pointed out that the First ward
gzhQd 7,043 registered electors In last
Efa1ro election, while the proposed
EEikhteenth ward had but 1910.
M n II unfair and unreasonable" he
Eoal6. that q man In the Eighteenth
Nward shall have six times the repre-
Hesitation In the council that man
En he First ward has. The Fifth.
E0Gvonth and Eleventh wards now have
two votes to every one In the First.
because their voting population 10
Eonly half that Of the First. II the
eproposed divisions Of the Seventeenth
kWoSd are equal In population. each OF
\ ~ three wards into which It will be
E61vioed will have 1888 registered eiec-
n torn, or only half a. many as tho First
{yWnr1."
NJ. Ferris was asked what shape
Ehs would leave the wards in; and the
4 dilGtulty Of making satisfactory ad-
Il 5urtcnent was pointed out. He re-
I'VE now have election districts.
which could be grouped In such way
NJ ~ y make the equalization compare
tlvo1y easy. agree with Mr.. DENLY
Tint there will be no need OF re-
&egouping, eight years hence. am
ksecGyinced that the people OF Detroit
&wlu not tolerate the ward system
EolSht years longer"
NGr. DENLY said that the old wards
Eo1p not unfairly large. II room Is al
loxed for the growth OF the outlying
n wtrds. He referred to Mr. Ferris
plan a q scientific dream that never
/ can be realized"
10 adopt the Ferris plan, we
G would have to employ one Of those
Il nov.1angled artists called Cubists to
draw the city map" said Mr.. Burton.
I'VE must remember that q larger
h p0pulation has more high-class men %
choose from than smaller popula
$HIo0, 20 that the First ward Is able
n 70 get very able Representatives In
he council. Two OF you who are seek.
mg today to change the ward boun-
1aries according to population were
trying the other day to abolish wards
altogether, Be consistent"
I'VE will be-" replied Mr. Ingram
n Mr.. Ingram and Mr. Ferris were
The only members to vote for the Fer
rle plan. Mr.. Burton's report was
adopted.
Though Mr.. DENLY disclaimed any
1npention Of making a strategic move,
~ action Of the commission in de-
GyDing to equalixe the ward popula-
111o will make q strong argument IN
~ Of abolishing ward lines. when
N proposition u submitted to the
3o0oon BradwAy, the new member
n xrom the First ward. took his seat,
nd waa given the chairmanship OF
Y ~ registration and election commit
q - and places on the committees on
Y l8G1Glative body and water board
TT Campbell's committee places.
Mr. Ahern introduced q proposal to
create = city department OF electric.
61tys with city electrician at Its head
v The department to be selfsustaining
ana . include the public lighting
y pIo1k, the signals systems of the po
Ilce and Ore. departments. and any
EtonmerciAl lighting undertaking.
,X1lfh ~ eoty shall assume.
WveOrd introduced a proposal
<nne any Cpmmissioner or department
1x16H onpo1nta6 By the mayor shall be
|<uCn6vebDo ox the mayors will
& 1cur olaTDE or MERCURY
s. VICTIM RECOVERING