The Detroit times., 1914-01-30
MAYOR THROWS
CHARTERD DEFIIN
WASTE BASKET
Commissioner Ferris Challenge
TO Debate Issues Gets No
Consideration
CITIZENS COMMITTEE
REDOUBLES EFFORTS
Believes Most of Wards Will De-
clare for Measure-AnOther
Canard Nailed

Mayor Marx received letter, Fri
day, from Charter Commissioned
Ralph Hall Ferris, challenging him TO
debate on the new charter.
MIR. Ferris letter was dignified and
courteous. When Secretary Fitzger'
aid presented II 10 the mayor, the lat
ter said
Toss IL into the waste basket, and
from there into the furnace, where II
will 60 up the chimney with the rest
OF the hot air.
viii you reply to the letter. the
mayor was asked.
That's answer enough. isn't it?''
retorted the mayor
Mr. Ferris wrote, in part:
You are quoted as saying, before
the Eighth Ward Republican club, that
with the new charter We would be
obliged 10 accept the bad with the
good and that the new charter will
breed any amount OF litigation. But
beyond this general statement and the
expression OF fear OF possible liti-
cation, you are reported as having
nothing to say.
You occupy the most exalted posi-
tion in the gift OF our city, the execu-
tive head OF its administration and
by reason OF your Office you are, In
fact the city's official adviser. Any
statement from you Will receive 4
more respectful hearing than frcn any
other source When, therefore, you
mum wage. time and half for over
time, double pas Tor Sunday work the
express an opinion publicly. you as
sumo a grave responsibility TO the city
TO make your statement both accurate
and specific"
Mr.. Ferris suggested that arrange
ments for the debate be left 10 Cor.
poration Counsel lawson, Allan h.
Frazer aud Alfred Lucking.
Members of the citizens charter
committee are working hard TO de.
molish a feeling of apathy and uncer-
tainty that exists in certain quarters.
Unless we can get out vote OF
at least 10000. the charter Will be de-
feated." is the warning that former
Aid. Charles T.. McCarty is sounding
The committee is sure of the First,
Second. Fourth, Sixth, Tenth, Seven
teenth and Eighteenth wards, and be-
lieves II will carry most OF the
others. In the Tenth ward. Aid.
O'Brien's support is counted on as a
big factor In the Eighteenth. great
deal OF good work is being done. The
Eighteenth is a big labor ward An.
drew Green, Jr, general manager Of
the Solvay Process Co, is working
hard for the charter in that district.
In the Seventeenth ward. Aid. Schultz
has declared in favor OF the charter.
The labor unions are solid for the
charter, and their members can be
relied on TO vote. The big business
men are equally solid In its favor.
But there is a large class who have
so far made little or no study of the
charter. and whose information re-
garding 1t Is hazy and confused. II Is
this class which the charter commit.
tee feels it must stir from its lethargy
10 patriotic interest In the city's well
fare.
/. The latest false report circulated by
the charters enemies, Is to the effect
that the committees speakers are be-
Ing paid. Car fare is the only graft
which the speakers receive.
Charter Con. missioner Ahern be-
licyes that unurr the new charter. a
saving OF about 20 per cent can be
effected IN the cost OF city govern.
ment because OF Increased efficiency.
THE charter provides for a bust.
ness organization. with the mayor as
general manager" he said "All the
tcontinued on Page Nine)