The Detroit times., 1913-05-14
Voting Will Take Place in April,
and New Officers Will AS.
sumo Their Duties Fol
lowing Month
PROPOSAL FOR POLLING
IN THE FALL DEFEATED
Sentiment for Separation of City
and State Contests Too Strong
for ReactiOnaries

The charter commission. in com
mittee of the whole. Tuesday morn.
ina, decided in favor of city elec.
ton IN the spring OF 1919 and every
four years thereafter. voting down III
attempt To make the city election co
incide with that for state and ma
,ional officers.
The committee on elections had
brought in a report in favor of an
election on the first Monday in April,
: 1914, the officers then chosen to take
their seats OH the second Tuesday IN
January, 1915. when the terms OF the
present officers expire. With Com.
missioner Funk IN the chair, President
Dust moved that the election be held
in 1915, instead OF 1914 That. as
commissioner Ferris pointed out,
would bring the city election on the
same date as the state election for
justices OF the supreme court. regents
OF the University OF Michigan, aai
minor state officers. Mr. Dust belieI ed
that the interest in the state election
would not detraCt the attention of the
people from local issues The maJcr-
ity stood with him, only Commissions
ers Ferris. Ingram and Merrell hod-
ing out for complete separation or
y state and local politics.
The hand OF the Marx adNinistra-
ion can be seen III this move. HE
administration hopes to keep in pow
II. Under the committee report, II
would go out Of Office in May, 1918,
in case ii was successful in the spring
of 1914 Under the Dust motion, 1t
will remain in power until May 1919,
thus gaining full year
Commissioner Burton moved that
the report be changed 10 provide COR
elections every two years. He Ell
countered the almost unanimous op-
position of the commission, and after
many members had expressed them
selves. Mr.. Burton said: Il am agree
ably surprised, and more than pleased.
~ thought that the majority would be
opposed to the iouryear term" The
motion was voted down overwhelm-
ingly.
Commissioner Keating, however,
declared that he is not In favor OF
electing four-year council, fearing
that the mayor will carry into Office
with him subservient legislative
body
III the council is elected every two
years, We shall have good check on
the mayor" he said
Commissioned Hacker moved that
the election be held in the fall, in
stead OF in the spring. Mir keating
was on his ieet at once.
Il expected this move, and the peo-
pie expected it," he exclaimed. II
there is one thing certain. II Is that
the people want their city elections
divorced from national and state par
tisan politics: but IL was sure thing
that a reactionary element would try
90 keep the city election involved In
Tuestions OF outside politics"
Mr.. Hacker explained that he had
made his motion In good iaith; that
he believed that more people come
ont at the fall election; that the
weather OF March and April is not
conducive TO popular primaries and
elections
The people will demand spring
elections and they will get them
said Mr. Heating They have de-
manded the right to elect their street
railway commissioners. too. and they
win get It, in spite OF what this body
can do"
Mr.. Ahern echoed the sentiment
,'It Is useless for this commission to
Try to oppose the peoples VIII. ne
bald. They have set their minds on
rertain things, and one Of these Is the
Itseparation OF city elections from state
and national elections. Our work will
never meet the approval of the peo-
ple unless We grant them what they
demand"
Commissioners Hacker. Szymanskl.
Tossy Fischer and kocher voted
y gainst separation of elections.
That part OF the committees report
relating TO the election of recorder
and Justices OF the peace was sent
hack 10 the committee for further con
sideration. Commissioner Burton
pointing out that the report is IN ap-
parent conflict with the state law.
In the regular session, Commission
er wesch introduced a proposal Tor
q three-man commission OF pubic
works. and the division OF the depart
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