The Detroit times., 1914-02-18
MAYOR ASKS
VOTEONCHARTER
AMENDMENTS
Would Have Council Submit On
Piecemeal Plan Reforms
Recently Defeated
PERSONALLY OPPOSED
TO SOME, HE DECLARES
Doubts Efficacy of Non-Partisan
Ballot and Cutting of Num-
Der of Aldermen

Mayor Marx. in his message 20 the
council. Tuesday evening. on piece
meal amendment OF the city charter.
advocates the submission OF the pro
gressive features of the defeated
charter to the voters in the next gen
eral election, but touches lightly on
those proposed provisions that would
weaken party lines and injure the Ell
dciency OF political machine.
The mayors well-wrtten and eN-
haustive communication was sent TO
the council by Secretary Fitzgerald
and was referred 10 the committee on
charter and city legislation.
In addition to the list OF amend
ments proposed by Aid. Lodge a week
ago the mayor suggests that the vot-
ers be allowed TO pass on the com
mission form of government, the IN
itiative. referendum and recall, and
the necessary increase OF the interest
rate OF municipal bonds from four TO
four and one.half per cent, with the
power 10 issue bonds In denomination
OF 500 or less
The mayor. in his message, doubts
the efficacy OF the non.partisan ballot
as a corrector OF municipal Ills. He
fears that the preferential voting plan
proposed in the defeated charter
would complicate the city's election
system Also, the mayor cannot con
vince himself that more efficiency
would result from a decrease in the
size OF the common council, or that
the abolition of the board OF est-
mates will bring the millennium
which its advocates declare. In con
clusion. the mayor suggests that all
piecemeal amendments be submitted
to Corporation Counsel Lawson for APP
prevail before they are presented to
the voters for ratification.
The aldermen did not hear with
bated breath the mayors masterpiece
on piecemeal amendment. Il was
necessary for Aid. Vernon. acting
chairman. to rap for order several
times while the clerk was reading the
message Secretary Fitzgerald was
the only one In the council chamber
who listened attentively 10 the read
ing OF the communication.
Aid. Reid submitted a resolution
asking for a charter amendment ere
ating the salaried Office OF yice-mayor.
Aid. Allan. chairman Of the council
committee on city and charter-legis-
la'ion. mas called a meeting for Fri
day afternoon OF this week to begin
work OH the proposed charter amend
ments.
Each proposition VIII be taken up
separately and thoroughly discussed
so that when they are submitted to
the voter he will be able 10 vote in
diligently on amendments that are
right" said Aid. Allan.
The council threatened TO take a
wallop" az the Standard OIL Co, dur
ing the session
The committee on streets submit
ted report Fescinding all permits
granted for che installation or street
gasoline distributing pumps. This
gave the aldermen an opportunity to
loosen up" on their oratory and for
three-auarters OF an hour the solons
debated. Finally the report was re-
ferred back to the committee The
automobile men will likely be asked
10 attend a hearing before the com.
mittee again ballots on Aid, keaung's
resembling resolution.
Another subject that furnished
plenty OF material for debate, was the
announcement OF hearing TO be held
before the state railroad commission
in lansing. Feb 20. relative 10 grade
crossings on Junction-ave. where the
proposed crosstown line Is to be built.
AID Field thought that the commit
tee on public utilities ought TO junket
10 Lansing TO see that the city =
rights are properly safeguarded when
tho matter is taken, mp. Aid. Lodge
ATTEMPTED 10 look bored when he
stated In positive language that no
such action vas necessary, since the
counsel could make a
lonely pilgrimage TO lansing and keep
an eve on the railroad representatives
othsr aldermen took aides and many