The Detroit times., 1913-05-23

The charter commission met Thurs
day morning. chatted 20 minutes. and
adjourned without doing anything, be-
rcause there was nothing 10 do. No
committees were ready to report. no
body introduced any new business,
there was nothing on the general
order.
Commissioner WEXFORD suggested
that the commission adjourn for
three o. four days, until the commit
tees had framed something TO work
on but ihe loss OF S. day did not
seem TO appeal TO many members.
President Dust tried TO stimulate
the committees TO action by calling
various chairmen and asking what
they had dOre. Mr. Burton said that
II might take two days TO make the
necessary corrections In the report
Of the committee on ward boun-
daries SIR Ferris said that the reg
istration and election committee was
waiting for the appointment of some
one to take the place OF Mr.. Camp
bell
THE committee Is ready to agree
on a report" Mr.. Ferris explained
after the meeting but of what use
would II be for Mr. Ingram and my
self TO report anything? The com
mission would have nothing to do
with anything we should bring in
Mr. Dandell said that his commit
tee on finance was not ready to re-
port Mr.. Guthard said that the COM
mittee on the ID. p. W. and park de-
partment had accomplished great
deal. but could not report at once.
Mr. Keating's committee on the wa
ter board Is also waiting for the
seating OF a successor 10 Nh. Camp
bell. Mr. Ingram reported that the
municipal ownership committee has
been holding daily sessions, and is al
most ready TO report. Mr.. Ahern. Its
secretary. believed the report could
be made in two or three days. Mr..
Burton said II would more likely be
two or three weeks
81 still have many objections to
make 10 the municipal ownership pro-
visions he said.
The board of estimates committee
will bring in a ma oriIy report. at
least. in favor Of the abolition OF the
present board. Mr. Wreford said that
he is agreeable to one OF two propo-
sitions either TO leave the budget
to the council. giving the mayor veto
power over every item; or TO leave
II to a commission consisting OF Ave
members, at least three OF whom
shall be elective-such as the mayor.
he controller, the city treasurer, the
president OF the council. and the
chairman of the ways and means
committee.
Mr.. Heating and Mr.. Wreford, OF
he water board committee, are
agreed that the water board must be
brought into the city corporation.
md will present report TO that ef.
'ect, whatever the third member Of
he committee. to be named in Mr..
yampbell's place. may think of 1t.
Mr.. Funk announced that represen.
atives OF the Detroit Federation of
.abor would meet with the labor com.
nittee OF the commission. Friday
svening at 1880, In the council cham
Der. TO talk over Air. Tossys pro
sosals for charter changes. These
Proposals have TO do with a mini.
mum wage, contract labor, and the
:ity's right To bid on municipal work.
The municipal ownership commit
lee met at & o'clock. Thursday after
Noon. and resumed its threshing OF
NO BJTect railway piONiSiOhS
Members Of the board OF estimates
md several interested citizens attend.
I'd a public hearing held by the esti-
hates committee OF the charter COM
mission In the council chamber, We'd
esday afternoon, TO discuss the pro-
4osed abolition OF the board. Stand
bh Backus, former president of the
GARD. said that the present body ID
DO large and unwieldly. He advc-
ated - board consisting or the mayor.
ontroller, president Of the council
nj perhaps few other city officials !:
r., II this plan cannot be realized, q
GARD of small size, elected at large
h a non-partisan ticket
Commissioners Ferris said that the
pmmon council. II rightly constituted,
an act with greater ability than two
pards on the city's estimates
Estimator Frank ID. Andrus defend
h the estimators. He accused de-
ertment heads OF padding their bud
ets, and the aldermen OF refusing 10
ut the budget materially. and OF put
ing back items stIbterfuge; which
ne estimators have cut out. He sug-
ested. however. that the board be re-
need to II members. Deputy Con-
l0ller Palmer suggested that the
bard meet at least once a month, ana
Rss on all transfers OF money from
ne fund To another. President Cor
bn and Estimators Bolton and Car