The Detroit times., 1916-05-06
new BLOOD
IS NEEDED
IN COUNCIL
Voters Can Increase Its
Efficiency Next
Fall
OFF SEASON FOR
BOOTH WORKERS
S ecret Agents Will
Scan Ballots At Fed.
eral Election


about bic change in the personnel
Of the Detroit common council. Fed.
eraI supervision OF the ballot will
tend to eliminate precinct trickery,
and the so-called controlled districts
viii be carefully watched to see
that they properly register the
voters choice. Some OF the coun-
ell members are already apprehen-
sive OF the. coming fall vote. II may
i;ffer materially from that cast in
pre- s.ous fall elections. Then. the
hot Aght that L. now being waged
IN Wayre county between the vets
and the drys will also be reflected
in local politics.
C:iticism has been made that the
| common council as now constituted
is not a highly efficient body In
many respects. neither is II strong
| ly representative. Many OF the
MEMBERS lack initiative, and the liz.
norance OF some of the aldermen
regarding the fundamental prin-
ciples OF city government is sur
| prising
There ought TO be a civil ser
gice examination for aldermanic
| candidates" remarked a city OFF,
clal recently when a member of the
| courCi. IGade stupid blunder
Not all the council members are
| deficient or lax in their public duty.
! rhe council boas OF some very
| capable strong minded and hard
working members. Upon these men
falls the burden OF assuring import
ant city business matters safe
conduct through the council On
matters Of policy these men have
less TO say. for they are usually in
| The minority Il whispered instruc-
lion TO ilc "boys" will often obtain
better r. suits than all the fine logic
and oratory OF the minority leaders.
Color, race OF creed should have
nothing 70 do with the eligibility of
IN aldermanic candidate. providing
he represents a majority Of the vot
ors in hi ward. but he ought to be
| competent TO give intelligent atten.
iioA to the city matters that will
come TO bis attention as a member
! of he council. The aldermen an
/ rually SIS on items that involve
millions CT dollars OF the taxpayers
money. They are supposed TO pass
the necessary regulating measures
for the safeguaI ding OF the health
and morris of community embrac-
/ ing NOR than half million people.
! They are supposed to look after city
matters in general, and individual
ward matters In particular. The
stronger and more competent the
| ward representative. the better the
interests of the property owners
and residents in that ward are
looked after.
Governmental efficiency under the
federal system liz largely dependent
upon the competency of the alder
men The mayor cannot guarantee
efficiency In the departments he
dominates. without the support of
the council members.
New blood IL certain to come
into the council next fall from sew
eral OF the wards. Aid. Freiwald.
OF the Fourteenth. and Aid. Lempke.
OF the Thirteenth. are both candi.
dates for the Republican nomination
Cor county treasurer. Aid. Rutter,
~ the Fifteenth ward. Is out for
county auditor In opposition to
Auditor William Gutman. Aid. Case.
bf the Eighth ward. wants to be
county drain commissioner.
II Is net likely that several of the
newer aldermen In the council will
be rewarded with another term. The
rapid development and the great
prosperity OF Detroit demand that
It's public business affairs be con.
Quoted by men OF ability. as well
as OF integrity.
| Aid. Maurice j. Heating. Of the
Fourth ward, "a slated for the presi-
dency 10 succeed Aid. Rutter. Aid
Heating Is one Of the best parlia-
mentarians In the council. He
would have headed the council sew
eral years ago. but for his inherent
Celtic ptoclivities to revolt against
the autocratic domination OF coun-
ell leaders. Aid. Heating became
reconcilcd during the Burton.Dinse-
Nv 'smIssI IennH-pIsu..lirI-usm
'he present time there is no fac
tional division in the common coun-
Gil.