The Detroit times., 1913-05-20
New Police Commissioner lmpul.
sive and Daring and Chock.
full of Energy
POLITICAL RISE OF MARX
HENCHMAN IS RAPID
Unknown Five Years Ago, Now
Heads City's Most Important
Department

ceeded Frank IA. Croul. who mad tae
reputation OF being one OF the very
best police commits sioners IN the couh-
try. Gillespie Is the big political pow
er In the Marx administration.
This Is quite a jump for young
rtaan-Gillespie Is only 80 years old
and everybody il wondering what KIDD
OF police commissioners he viii make,
smooth-faced, white-compleXioneJ
chap with a winning smile and care
free disposition, one would never sus-
pect John Gillespie of being political
heavyweight. Some people never will,
GayWay. The cares OF political strife
I rest lightly on his young shoulders.
he has the bright eye and the springy
step of an athlete. He does not use
tobacco in any form. and seldom
drinks anything stronger than butter
milk As worker he is tireless, en-
thusiastic and never at loss Tor an
idea. He is impusive and daring IN
his political maneuvers.
As campaign manager, Gillespie
has made an enviable record for him
self lie frst popped into view when
Philip Breitmeyer announced himself
candidate Tor mayor little over
four years ago. IL was to help friend
10 ONCE that Gillespie undertook the
management OF Breitmeyers earn
. 1aign. Unschooled i'm the game or
politics, Gillespie jumped into the
fight. relying on his own energy and
snap judgment TO overcome the oo-
stacles that Uttered Breitmeyers path
10 the mayors office.
| The young campaign manager soon
\ made himself leader to be reckoned
n with in the bitter struggle. He OUT
witted the mayors able opponents and
II he played the game so fast that he
fairly dazed the opposition.
He landed Breitmeyer in the NAV
or's chair and was thanked with
hand-clasp. Gillespie steadfastly refus
inc to accept any political favors from
his friend, although he was offered his
choice OF any office. including that tr
solice commissioner. Breitmeyer
finally prevailed upon him TO accept
an honorary missionership on the
water board There Gillespie got his
first taste OF politics and saw at least
part OF the game as IL is worked from
the inside. This glimpse whetted his
taste for more.
s Unfortunately for himself Brett
meyer refused to harken 10 advise
from his friend concerning the con-
iuct OF his administration. Gillespie
saw political opportunities as fast as
hey arose. He pleaded with his friend,
Breitmeyer to seize them. but Brett
meyer refused 10 play the game. Gil
espe saw splendid chances for the
mayor to make political capital ont
bf the street car question aud out az
he water board situation. But Brett
never was no politician. Gillespie
watched his friend 60 down to defeat
wo years later without hand having
been raised in his defense. Brett
Meyers unsuccessful administration
VAS a great object lesson TO Gillespie
Pm What not to do In politics. The
Experience he gained was valuable.
he next two years Gillespie was in
(ctive politically. being a minority
hember on the water board.
Last summer. when Oscar b. Marx
announced his intention OF becoming a
andidate for mayor. John Gillespie
topped up again, energetic and smil-
ng as ever. He took hold OF Marx's
campaign and from then on Marx had
hustle to keep up the pace Giles
ie set for him.
Cillespie's success In the last cam
aign is still fresh in the mind OF
newspaper readers. His whirlwind
hctics fairly winded the opposition:
e sprang surprise after surprise; he
tormed their strongholds: he spiked
heir political guns; he was constant
importuning his friend Oscar TO
pep up" When the campaign end
d. Marx saw his active friends were
all In" physically. But not so with
illespie-he was as fresh and as full
ideas as ever He toured through
re east with Marx. studying the diff
erent city governments. II was Gil
spie who saw useful innovations.
ew ideas and opportunities, and dis
Used them with Marx.
Unlike Breltmeyer, Marx was
Hing listener. He sought Giles
les advice on all occasions. In al
ord, Marx was shrewd enough to
Fcognize in Gillespie faithful po-
fical adviser as well as a campaign
anager A veteran politician, Marx
Twice and ideas.
Then came the reward Marx
aved his hand and told Gillespie to
axe his choice Gillespie hesitated.
was inoculated with the political
Prm. His experience on the water
bard. where the political game 10
aged to a small extent. left pleas
IT taste In the mouth OF the am
tious leader. He was anxious to
oaden out politically. One execu-
Ge ONCE appealed. TO him--that OF
lice commissioner II was just like
llespie 10 seek an office that the
binary politician would never
cam OF disturbing.
Frank n. Croul with his record OF
hciency and held In highest esteem.
10 dangerous man to tackle. That
probably one reason why Gillespie
lected the office OF police commits
Pner as his particular plum. lie
ed the spectacular move.
Here again Gillespie showed his
ility He allowed his name to be
ked with that OF Police Commits
>ner Croul. lie refused to affirm
deny the truth OF the rumors. The
lyor was silent. The newspaper
AIRED: the public. clamored to have
oul retained Slowly and cautious.
Gillespie frightened his hold on the
Zee. The matter was discussed pro
4 con. The Two men were care.
ly weighed by public opinion. with
bite opinion always on the side OF
Anil n..s ...A - A.