The Detroit times., 1913-07-01

utilities commission is expected alsS
10 enforce All existing laws agalus
any Tyres that are allowed TO remain
on The streets. 10 fix fares. transfer
privileges, etc, and to he absolutely
la charge OF all public transportation
facilities within he city.
The assessment system OF the city's
tNlce department was discussed al
length by the commission. but no
radical changes were made.
Proposals "a increase the number
/ OF assessors 10 Ave and TO reduce
u 10 one were both defeated and the
number remains az three.
To agree with a movement through
out the country for a uniform assess.
ment day the intention OF the com.
| mission to make March ! final assess
ment day instead OF April as now,
was abandoned II has been found
that large corporations with offices in
different states often shift moyea BILE
assets just before assessment day
and so avoid taxation on them, and
most or the states are agreeing upon
April l as uniform date. The as
sessment laws were made slightly
more stringent TO compel the city
treasurer TO take quick action against
delinquent property holders.
Powers now vested In the board OF
estimates were transferred 10 the
common council and the board of esti-
mates was abolished. The common
council WILL under the new charter,
meet as revenue appropriating body
and Will divide the revenues OF the
city according TO the requirements OF
the departments, taking the requests
| OF the department heads as a basis
The various city commissions are
| compelled 10 attend the meetings OF
the council devoted TO this purpose
or send representatives. After the
work OF estimating Is completed. the
council sits as board OF accounting
TO correct possible errors. The mayor
Is given the veto power on the budget,
a three-fourths vote OF the council
being necessary TO override the veto.
One day of the commission work
was devoted to fixing the restrictions
upon Office holders. They must be
residents OF the city. whether serving
as members of some commission or
as elected officials, they must speak
and read the English language, and
| they must have records free from any
crimes OF defaulting against city or
state
Aldermen are not allowed 10 hold
any other Office while serving and any
appointed officer must resign his place
| If he desires TO run for an elective
Office
A recreation commission and the Of
M ..it Of lot lot
ated The commission, consisting OF
two citizens appointed by the mayor
and five officials Of the administration
is expected 10 regulate all forms OF
| commercial recreation such as thea
| ters, poolrooms, etc, and 10 assume
control OF the school Fairgrounds
with the consent of the Board of Edu-
| cation. The ex-officio members are
the police commissioner, librarian,
park commissioner, superintendent of
| schools and commissioner of public
works. The statistician is to abstract
the reports OF department heads and
prepare one for general reading
ing He is expected also TO be an
efficiency adviser to departments.
A few days ago the commission
adopted a bill for the inititiye. refer
endum and recall. The recall pro-
posal requires a petition OF % per
cent of all the voters who cast their
! ballots In the last election which is
thought by some 10 make the pro
| vision ineffective because 1t is too
! difficult The initiative and referen-
DUN petitions require signers TO the
number five per cent of the voters
at the preceding election
The adoption of the non-partisan
ballot in city elections Is one OF the
latest reforms agreed to.
BY salary increases the commission
added $20,300 to the budget and by
creating a public utilities commission
added $4,000 more The officials who
received a boost in pay are: Mayor,
81. 900 10 $4,000 corporation counsel.
So, 900 to 81 500; commissioners of pub
lie works, $4,000 to s7,50G; superinten-
dent OF the House of Correction. city
clerk and city treasurer, each, $4,000
to $4,000: aldermen. $1,000 to $4,000
Several of the most important propo-
sitions that will have TO be decided
by the commission have not yet
emerged from the committees and
have not been much discussed on the
floor OF the. commission. The election
reforms proposed include civil ser
vice requirements for election Off
cials. The adoption of union wages
for. city labor and making the water
board an integral part Of the city gov
eminent. have yet 10 come before the
commission for approval
1t seems likely that no adjournment
will be possible for some little time
When II does take place, some time
will be given the revision committee
to do its work, and then the questions
will be brought up on the floor of the
commission again for final action be-
fore the charter is submitted TO the
people