The Detroit times., 1913-05-13
REACTIONARIES'
HAND SEEN AGAIN
in CHARTER BODY
Send City Ownership Report
Back TO Committee Because
of Progressive Feature
WOULD CHOOSE CAR BOARD
BY PREFERENTIAL PLAN
Dust and Followers Against
This-Fresh Plot Hatched to
Keep Shipper OF Board

! Commissioner Funk, acting fol
members OF the reactionary branch
OF the charter commission, had the
report OF the municipal ownership
committee re-referred to that commit.
tee, in Monday mornings session OF
the charter commission.
Commissioner Burton objected to
the delay which Will thus be caused
since committee report must lie on
the table Ave days, AID this report,
printed Friday, was we'll on the road
to consideration in committee of the
whole. But President Dust believed
that the committee should go over
tic report again, and Mr.. Burton
withdrew his objection. .s
! Asked why he wanted the report re.
ferred again to the committee, Mr..
Funk said that there were certain
parts OF the report which had been
Incorporated without his knowledge.
Asked what these provisions were. he
declined to state them.
Commissioner Dandell, another
member OF the committee, and re-
garded as one OF the reactionary par
lty, also refused to discuss the PROPOSE
tions to which he objected.
Commissioner Ahern said that the
reason for the objections of Funk and
Dandell was the incorporation In the
report OF a provision for the election
OF street railway commissioners by
preferential ballot.
THAT provision met with my APP
nroval, and as secretary, incorporat.
ed 1t in the minutes, understanding
that It had the sanction OF a majority
of the committee" said Mr.. Ahern
That also was Mr.. Ingram's impress.
sion. In fact. It was the impression
Of everyone on the committee. except
Mr.. Burton, until Mr. Funk received
his orders. Mr.. Burton opposed the
preferential ballot, in the belief that
1t Is unconstitutional.
President Dust, after the session,
said: Speaking for myself, and not
for the commission, l am against the
election Of the street railway commits
sioners In any way. l believe that
they should be appointed by the
mayor, SO that the entire responsible
ity for the street railway system may
be conferred In the mayors hands. !
believe that the mayor should have
ample power of appointment Of de-
partment heads, and that he, like
other city oficers, should be subject
to recall, SO that II q department 10
mismanaged, and the mayor refuses
to remove it's head, the people may
recall him and elect mayor who Will
pay better attention to their wishes
Il am also opposed to the provision
which demands that the bonds be paid
at the end of 20 years. That .is too
short o period to retire all the bonds.
/ believe that the people should be
given three-cent fares; but the bond
provision would demand high fare
until all the debt had been paid"
President Dust explained his atti'
tude on the re-reference by saying
that inasmuch as the commission had
voted down Commissioner Ferris pro-
rosal for the election OF city ofhcers
by preferential ballot, no such provi.
sion should be made for the choosing
OF street railway commissioners.
Another clever move to block the
possible seating of DR.. Eugene r..
Shipper on the commission was made
when a resolution of Commissioner
DENLY was read and laid on the table,
to be adopted, undoubtedly. two days
hence, when 1t will come up, under
the rules. The resolution provides
that when a vacancy occurs, the can
didate having the next highest vote
shall be chosen a member of the CON-
mission. This would provide for
Fred Schmalzriedt, In case President
Dust resigns; and Schmalzriedt IL
acceptable to the majority. II would
also provide for Orla b. Taylor. to
fill the vacancy caused by Walter 8.
Cempbell's death. The resolution fur
Their provides, however. that in case
this candidate declines, the commits
sion may decide whether to All the
vacancy, and II so, the manner In
which 1t is to be filed. II Mr. Taylor,
who says that his law business Is
very pressing, declines to serve, Pas.
tor Shipper, who IL next on the list,
having received but a few votes less
than MIR. Taylor, will still be at the
mercy Of the commission.
Mr.. DENLY also introduced q resolu.
ton calling for vote on Wednesday,
May 81. on whether the members OF
the common council are to be elected
at large, or by wards. The resolution
was tabled for two days. no r,.
Commissioner Tossy offered pro-
posal that the polls be open, on cleo.
ton day, from in the morning until
10 at night, 80 that the laboring man
will have ample time to vote. Many
we're disfranchised In the last election
because the polls closed at 3 o'clock
Discussing the election Of aldermen
President Dust said, after the meet.
ing: II believe that n compromise will