Denver labor bulletin., 1915-02-13
POLITICAL STEW s1MMER1NG.

While Denver will not hold election until
the latter part of May to select commissioner of
property and commissioner of social welfare the
spell of warm weather has brought out all the
political mixers and servers and the air is filled
with rumors OF who is going to and what for,
and proposed charter changes The time has
elapsed for holding special election for charter fix
ing and anything that to be put forth along
that line will have to go the ballot at the regu-
lar time, or not at ALL to be effective before fall.
That there will be several propositions up for
decision is well assured. Probably majority of
the people of the city are dissatisfied with the
present system, but there has not yet developed
a Moses with the real thing. number of
municipal cooks brewing connections in
permental way, but outside of the Single Takers
nothing has been laddled out. One that is in
process OF near dishing up provides for the mayor
manager form, that will make the mayor the real
thing, SO he have all the blame for things as
well as whatever credit may arise. All the details
have not been worked out by those in charge, but
aside from the mayor it is proposed to add two
commissioners to the five we now have, adding
some new duties and taking some from the shoul-
ders they on. These seven would be
elected individually from separate city districts,
while the mayor would be elected by the voters
OF the city at large and the auditor selected the
same way.
Those pushing this proposition propose
have ex-mayor Robert W. Speer run for the
mayor manager place and efforts are being exert
cd to get him TO consent to make the race but
lar they have not been able to get his consent 1t
is said that those who trying to get him to
stand are not confined TO those who were former
ly considered part OF his personal following, but
embrace many OF his political and personal
mics OF his faith and business men generally
Speer's recent public utterances before public bod
les, wherein he said he believed the city govern
ment should endeavor to complete and inaugurate
improvements that would give work to citi-
zens who shut out OF a way to earn a liveli-
hood. seems to have made him friends in quarters
where he was little appreciated Undoubtedly a
big fight would be on if Mr.. Specr and the
campaign would be hummer. | inclined to
believe the ex-mayor will finally refuse to get into
the game; but he is pretty wise man and
size up political situation we'll as the best of
them. and he may decide that May will be good
time to again submit himself to the votes OF his
fellow Denverites.
There many names mentioned for the two
places to be filled. SO far Commissioner Thum
has not officially stated whether not he will
again seek the berth he holds as commissioner of
property. l inclined to believe he will run
II he does he will be fought by both the News and
Times, as well as the Post, to say nothing Of the
Express. These papers have neglected oppor-
tunity to hammer him lately. and believe with
out just cause. As public official his acts are
open to criticism, OF course. Otto is OF German
extraction and objects to being driven, although
as whole he will go along very nicely il he be-
lieves things are all right. He is not a very prac-
teal politician. but whenever they try to pick him
up for come-on. slip something on him.
he is found right there. Whatever may be
charged against him. it will be found that his adj
ministration OF affairs the square. With
number OF candidates after his office it will be
well to put a bet down on Thum. There a
number OF elements and factions that will stick to
him all the way through. and if he runs gentle
men and LADIES' who contesting with him
would be just well off not to hypothecate the
salary OF the office in advance, il that is all they
have to depend upon.
1t is said that Chief OF Police Felix O'Neills
friends urging him to go after OF the COM
missionerships, preferably that of property. 1
hardly believe he will mix in. he is pretty well
contcnted where he is. Recently he intimated to
me that he was strongly inclined to get out of Of
flee and go to his ranch in Chaffec county, and
settle down into the simple life raiser OF the
festive. and edible porker
Managing Editor Herrck of the News and
Times is said by his friends to be avowcd can
didatc for property commissioner also. He has
never mixed up in politics, but his long newspaper
training should fit him to hold down successfully
any political job Should he run, it is quite likely
that he would draw big following: but perhaps
the Post would not favor him for fraternal rea-
sons.
L. c. Greenlee, who has frequently raced re-
Gently has his little lightning rod up, but the soft
breezes have not sufficiently deflected it to line
him up in any particular dircction--property or
tfore