The Detroit times., 1913-07-04
MERCER WILL
BAR POLITICS
FROM THE D.P.W.
Only Efficiency Will Count In
Employment of Men, He
Tells Mayor
HAARER'S FORCE INSISTS
1T RAISED $4,000
Employees Dig Up Receipts to
Show Contributions to Marx
Campaign Fund

John A. MERCER, rendered the de-
partment OF public works commits
sionership to succeed Jacob j. Haarer.
by Mayor Mark, would wipe politics
out of the department and run IL on
purely business basis. He would
make efficiency and not political
pull count in the conduct of the
big office. The department has long
been the stamping ground for poll
ticians. big and small II Mr. Mercier
puts throUS ;i Ills desired reform. the
department will be taken out of poll
tics for the first time in its history
In recent conference with the
mayor, Mr. MERCER frankly informed
his honor that he would not take the
office unless he could have a free hand
unhampered by political wire pulling.
The mayor declared at the time that
he approved of Mr.. Merciers policy.
II would want 10 conduct the bush,
ness OF the department as would
my private business" Mr.. MERCER
told the mayor II would want eff
cheney alone to count in the employ
ment OF men. II man is incompe-
tent | would want TO be able TO fire
him. would endeavor 10 run the
department to the best OF my abil.
ity and TO the satisfaction OF the tax.
payers. but | would insist on riding in
my own boat"
Mayor Marx told Mr. MERCER that
II was his own policy not to allow
political affiliations 10 interfere with
the efficiency Of city department.
With man like MIR. Mcrcier At
the head OF the department OF public
works, the mayor could reasonably
well feel relieved OF any further re-
sponsibility for the conduct OF that
Office. This man who through his
executive ability and business saga
city has amassed q fortune OF over
$500.000 In the contracting business
In 3 years, can be depended upon to
develop his department TO the high.
est point OF efficiency But what
about that H. r. w. political machine
that worked so hard for Marx last
fall and. according to a statement
made by one OF Jake" Haarers
lieutenants, donated $4,000 to the
Marx campaign fund? Marx has de-
MED that the d. p w. machine elect
ed him, and his friends now say that
they never saw a dollar OF the s13.-
goo that Haarer was supposed to-
have turned over TO the campaign
treasurer.
1.-The department OF public works
employees did not do as much for me
az election time as they would haSN
everybody believe" said Mayor Marx
In recent discussion They talk
about electing me, why | know
dozen men right in the D. p w. Of.
fice who turned out and worked
against me. And | want them to
know that ! remember how loyal
they were to me before election"
ID. p. W. employees are hunting up
receipts 10 show the exact amount
Of money turned into Oscar Marks
campaign fund. Individually One su.
perintendent produced a receipt for
$3.50. The money was paid to the
Republican county committee in this
instance.
But II went to the right party"
he said, referring to Marx.
III Marks campaign managers say
that the d. p. w. did not turn over
something like $4,000, they are kid
ding" he continued "Hasrer was
wise enough TO handle all the money
that went through this Office and he
also got receipts for every dollar he
paid over. Hearers receipts will show
how much money Oscar Marx got
from this office for his campaign"
new commissioner is bound to
make number Of changes in the
personnel Of the department that has
long been sort Of clearing house for
city jobs In payment for political ser
vices rendered city and ward officials.
The aldermen are prone TO pride
themselves on their "stand-in" with
Jake" II Is Jake" who can helm
the aldermen out By giving a few of
the faithful ward workers city Jobs.
and also ~ Is up 20 Jake" 10 saw
whether an alderman gets a street
paved or sewer built I'm his par
ticular ward Therefore the alder
men are all anxious TO curry favor
with the commissioner. II Is easy
to understand how In eight years
Haarer has been able 10 build I'D a
powerful political machine.
Despite civil service, there Will be
a general shake-up In the Office when
the new commissions goes In.
Switches and changes will be made
with the announced intention OF i'm
proving the efficiency OF the depart
ment. II will be interesting to see
10 what extent the mayor will be
Interested In changes that the new
commissioner may make or suggest.
IL Haarer attempts to open fire"
on the mayors Office, Il IL possible
that the mayor will come right back
at him with interesting dope" Sew.
eral weeks ago the mayor stated that
~ he refused to reappoint Haarer. Il
would be for "Jacke's own good" The
mayor didn't explain how the loss OF
a $4,000 year job would benefit his
friend and former council colleague.
Pietro Fusumnno, OF M. 1T sherman
4 ST. demanded an Investigation into
browning OF his son, Angelo. rs wears
old, In Eccrse creek, June 90 SterIIT
Oakman investigated the case. and