The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-07-02
REACTIONARIES,
FURIOUS, TRY
BLOCKING GAME
Bitterly Oppose Every Move
Made BY Progressives on the
Charter Commission
ARGUE FOR THREE-MEN
PUBLIC WORKS BOARD
Matter Discussed at Length. But
No Action Taken-COmmit-
tees Report

Definite division OF the charter
commission into two camps, with the
progressive element in the ma tor,ty,
was made evident Tuesday morning,
when nine men. constituting the de-
feated faction. tried TO block every.
thing that was proposed. The re-
sentiment OF the nine was aroused
most bitterly over the passage OF the
non-partisan ballot law. Saturday.
Some OF the minority members,
particularly Commissioner Guthard,
still insist there was an agreement
that the non partisan ballot should
be submitted as an alternative propo
sition, so the people could refuse II
II they so desired, without refusing
the whole chatter. TN majority has
refused to recognize tniS complaint
and nothing exists In the records of
the commission 10 substantiate II.
Capitalization OF power. as the gen.
eral policy OF the commission, Is the
principle upon which the minority
intends TO make It's hardest fight.
This has been brought out in debates
over the management Of the various
city departments, and appeared again
on the department of public works.
The majority consists OF Ahern.
Rurch, Burton, Broadway. Ferris. Cor.
man. ingram. JOY, Heating. Merrell.
Wreford and President DENLY The
minorit vehement consists OF Eikhoff.
Fischer funk Guthard Hacker.
Kocher. Szymanski Tossy, and
Wesch.
,-o-,o,.siona, c,,ho.a arouna fo-
a public works board OF three men
instead Of single commissioner.
The commission took up the whole
question OF the department Of public
works. but made no progress.
Grthard. once member of the
board of public works. when II was
composed Of three men. told some
past political history In an attempt
TO prove that It was only politics that
caused the abolition OF the threem men
board. He said responsibility was
no more grmly fixed when there was
only one man. and that the work was
not done SO we'll
commissioners Heating, Ferris and
several others supported the present
plan OF having one high-salaried man
In the place. but Commissioner Brad
way. staunch member OF the ma
inrity party. made strong argument
for the board system. The other
members or the majority seemed 10
be ARMY united against the board
system. but the matter was not
brought to a vote and was not Settled.
Considerable amusement was ex-
tracted from the proposal OF Com
missioner Wesch 10 provide for city
abstract department. This was ad-
miftedly blow at Commissioner Bur
ton. who Is the head Of the largest
abstracting agency in the city and
ha dior years a practical monopoly OF
the business. Mr. Wesch said the
proposal would save the people much
money and save the charter from
defat II the voters could be brought
10 see Its value.
Mr.. Burton Immediately arose.
Il see no reason why the city
should not have an abstract bust
ness" he said We have allowed the
city TO go into competition with the
business interests of pearly every
man on the commission. We have a
city law department for Mr.. DENLY.
a cemetery for Mr.. Burch, perfume
factory for Mr.. Ingram mean our
garbage incinerator--and we ought to
have city Official hell-hole for the
saloon-keepers. would suggest that
the commission begin consideration OF
this proposal BY amending the con-
stjtution of the state OF Michigan to
allow the city TO do the necessary out
side work in running an abstract Of
fice"
Stimulating seriousness President
DENLY put the motion to amend :he
state constitution. but IL was not vot-
cd upon Commissioners Heating and