The Detroit times., 1914-08-05
Ike Boss RULE.
IMPOSSIBLE, IS
|INCR ANS PLAN
.vors Amending Charter, Rath-
h Than Attacking Industrials,
He Declares
ELIEvES SYSTEM, NOT
PEOPLE, AT FAULT
inns Men Of All Parties Are
RalIying to His Support in
~ May0ral Battle


Among those who look forward 70
- next two years as a crucial period
the civic development OF Detroit IL
y. Ingram, Democratic candidate for
oayor. FarTeaching changes IN the
rndamental law of the city are bound
IS - made, II Is predicted, and the
nature OF those changes, says Mr.. Ing
IAN. will determine whether the city
mall continue under machine rule
with the domination OF public affairs
~ opocial interests, or shall gain an
[o11olont, Independent, democratic gov
1gument directly responsible TO the
Doople.
ssboss rule In American cities like
Dotroit," said Mr.. Ingram TO The
Times wednesday, has not always
Doon an unmitigated evil maliciously
1hyunt upon them by gain-seeking poll
&folnns. Rather it has been natural
md sometimes Indispensable part 10
ne growth Of municipal government
- the United States. while that gov
nment has been passing through its
detrimental stages. The boss has
ut only gained wealth through the
DDptection Of special privileges but
- held his power through the distri-
<&ution OF political patronage, at the
1xDenso or the public. He has done
&oDo things and Is not to be excused
rom them. But. often. he has render
1 d1stfnct service by harmonizing the
nopngruous features Of hap-hazard
1tofnment whose functions we're di.
@11od Ia an unwieldly manner between
orlous ofacerR departments and ON.
al bodies. Mayors. aldermen and
ommissioners have gone to him for
Rdors, and thus consistent working
o11s for the conduct Of the govern
n1ot was arrived ct.
The time for basing demand for
morn upon generalities and personal
Il0catfon OF certain men az crooks
MA eain-seeking politicians Is past.
ho proper method is not to stack
I'm but to change the conditions
nich have made bossism possible II
" inevitable. The trouble II not In
1on but In our system Of government.
The needed change can be had In
o<r0it BY amendments to our present
artef. amendments which even foes
the late proposed charter recog-
red - necessary and which readily
10 be adopted by the people II they
- oiven the support OF an independ.
1T foafless administration.
The fIrst thing to be done Is to
1trolige the present division Of re-
visibility. Make the appointments
department. heads cotesminous with
~ mayors term In once. Place the
pcnelbility suuarsly upon him and
MA him subject to recall. Reforms
tAio nature must be had II we are
have efAcient, economical govern.
Knit or for that matter II we are to
)vef Enforcement. for otherwise
ochine rule still will flourish.
This truth, has been illustrated re-
0fedly In the history Of other cities
Dor0 exasperated citizens have risen
protest and voted out corrupt ma
Ino GAngs. They have replaced pro-
r1ioua1 politicians with honest, indie
dent citisens. only to see the
ul6-be reformers prove failures.
&fee men failed. not for lack OF en-
~ or ability. but because Of the un-
<knbtlity OF the system Of govern
At they were called upon to admin
The result too often has been that
The next election the gang has
IN voted back into power and has
cono only the more intrenched for
WING been once put out. Returning
nm to control has seemed to be an
ninion Of the indispensability OF
~ bosses. so they have proceeded to
oko up f0r the losses sustained while
20 q power.
SEEING AL this, good citizens have
Ened away In disgust. They have
10 that politics must be dirty that
~ only thing for an honest man to do
70 wash his hands Of such matters,
Now I say the man who takes that
(Itude has failed to see the real
Qub1e. The difflculty, | say again,
With cur system Of government, not
M the men who administer t. at
Ut not altogether with them. We
VA to adopt reforms which will
40 e possible for honest, independ-
non TO run the AFFAIRS OF the city
l6ut organizing political machines.
Where the boss system inevitably
a IA the irresponsibility of the
(<1I authority to anyone. Men who
- have opportunity to enforce an
01t1oI city administration are
1o4 with their own. Affairs. whereas
eseutativesofBpe interests
y oIvayf 0n-tn6 -jQb. WArpink the gov
1nent In their favor. The result Is
Rvlous. Machine rule Is seldom in the
1rreets Of the people.",
city government whose highest
y eficiency and whose heaviest
1emnatiou IN Tor, partisanship Is
o93 n favor OF which Mr.. ingram
xo9 himself If the voters want
(oo,~ he said, "and select me for
leader. ! shall do my BEST for
<Il not, shall be satisfied to work
ne cause az private citizen. as
~. Ingram has received many Let
- rom men OF oil parties. indorsing
~ candidacy. He read some OF them
HE Interviewer. One from a prom.
INT business man who Ia a Republi
-. declared the intention of the writ.
70 support the Democratic candi.
- Tor his Independence. honesty
~ integrity, qualities 90 sadly lack
~ some positions OF our present
ToDnment"
ID 90 not intend to throw any mud
unduly criticize men in ONCE. but
~ thing that expect to do II elected
TCR 10 TO see that the laws OF the
ore enforced" said Mr.. Ingram.
~ HAyor has much more power IN
6lroction than the present char.
DchnicaIly gives him. Laws on
lo<uto hooks were put there for
1900. They are 20 be carried ont
14oul4 BE- any lack Of hsr
- 49,