The Detroit times., 1913-07-14
MARX HARASSED,
DOUBLE CROSSED
AND DU MPED
Mayor is Victim of Treachery
of Political Friends, Says
an Adviser
PLOT Is ALLEGED TO
EMBARRASS MAYOR
Marks Attitude Has Been One
of Silence But Whole Story
May BE Revealed

That Mayor Oscar b. Marx has
been victimized by treacherous po-
litical friends, who have tried from
the day OF his Inauguration to dis
credit his administrator. blocking
him at every turn and double-cross-
ing him on all important issues is
the astounding statement made by
one of the mayors most trusted pc.
litical advisers and a staunch personal
friend. the statement comes in an
swer to the criticism that has been
directed at the mayor for his delay
and apparent indecision in making
his appointments. especially that OF
department OF public works colGnis
sioner.
The reason given for the mayors
unwillingness to discuss his most re-
cent appointment, that of George II.
Fenkell as ID. =. w. commissioner
to succeed Jacob J. Haarer, is that
the mayor is loath TO admit publicly
the treachery of his political friends"
and Is attempting TO shield them at
the risk OF his own reputation as a
successful executive. The threat Is
made. however. that the plot which
is described as one OF the most dia
bolical in the history OF Republican
city politics, will be revealed
names and all--unless the attack on
the mayor is discontinued.
NO other mayor in the history or
y Detroit has been harassed dumped
and double-crossed as Oscar Marx
has been since the day he took office,
said the mayors friend.
"On every appointment ard every
issue the mayor has been opposed
and embarrassed by two three and
even four different forces. The
mayor has accomplished the difficult
task of evading most OF this opposi-
tion in making his appointments, but
--it--reattire,i-- engineering and
great fortitude on the part OF the
mayor and the friends who have re
NAMED true to him. Every attempt
has been made by powerful influences
10 put the mayor in bad and the re-
suit has been that the mayor has
been subjected to lot of unwar-
ranted criticism.
why did Joseph S. Stringham turn
down the offer of the ID. L. w. com
misslonership and later refuse place
on the street railway commission"
why did John A. Mercier turn
down the p. =. w commissionership
after he had given the mayor his
promise that he would accept?
These are questions that can be
answered by the administration If the
turn Is called
why should Jake Haarer be re-
garded In the light OF a martyr be-
cause the mayor refused TO reappoint
him. Mayor Marx told Haarer early
last fall that he would not reappoint
Haarer II he, Marx. was elected
mayor During the campaign he told
the people that many changes could
be made in the department OF pubic
works system TO improve the en-
cheney of the department He point
ed out that complaints were not
taken care of as they should be; thdS
the garbage collection system was
poor: that the care OF the street
pavements was neglected. The engl'
nering department of the ID. +. w"
IN charge OF r. II. Mccormick is not
what II should be. Mr.. MCCORMICK
Is in charge of a drafting room, not
/ an engineering department. MI Fen
keu Is a competent engineer, abso-
mtely honest, and can handle an once
force"
II Is pretty certain that X. II. Nc
cormick will not remain as engineer
under Fenkell although Mccormick
is protected by civil service. Charges
~ INCOMPETENCE will be made against
more than one employe III the depart
ment of public works ana the ala ol
the civil service will be asked In I'M
proving the efficiency OF the depart
ment. Mr.. Fenkell will be given
free hand, unhampered by politics,
and his instructions from the mayor
are 70 cut out the dead timber in the
department, friend and foe to be treat
ed alike
The recent payroll-padding episode
has not been forgotten and as soon as
the new commissioners taxes hold next
wednesday an Investigation Will be
made that will probably result In
complete reorganization OF the payroil
system in the department. The de-
partment superintendent and not the
men who make up the payrolls VIII be
held responsible for all mistakes, dup
locations, etc. Discovery OF any pay
roll-padding in the future VIII result
In the decapitation OF the superinten-
dent in whose department the pad
ding occurred.
george fenkel was nOl COdAcu Y"
accept the ID. p. w. commissioner
ship said Mayor Marx. When | OIL
fered the job to him he accepted. The
! reason delayed In announcing his APP
polntment is that things occurred
which made II impossible for me to
make the change in that office as soon
as I would have liked TO. | have no
doubt that Mr.. Fenkell will make a
success of the work in that Office.
am greatly relieved at getting this last
appointment of my hands. II was a
hard nut to crack, despite everything
that has been said TO the contrary by
my enemies. Now that I have made
all my important appointments, I want
TO say that they are all men OF my
choice and I am willing to bear the
blame II they are criticised for inef-
fciency at any future time. I will
stake my political reputation on the
honesty and ability of every man that
! have appointed. have been unjustly
criticised, but because ! have been ST.
lent under fire does not mean that |
am without defense and a good one
X I am pushed TO make disclosures
However. do not think I will be here
after, because each man Will make
good In manner thot viii please the