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

i ne next election VIII HKeIy Drlng
about big change in the personnel
OF the Detroit common council. Fed
era) supervision OF the ballot will
tend 10 eliminate precinct trickery,
and the so-callod controlled districts
will 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 IL may
liner materially from that cast in
pre- ',ous fall elections. Then. the
hot hight that t. now being waged
n Wayic county between the vets
and the drys VIII also De reflected
in local politics.
G ;tlcism has been made that the
common council, as now constituted
is not a highly efficient body in
many respects. neither is 1t strong
" representative. Many Of the
members lack initiative. and the ig-
norance OF som" of the aldermen
regarding the fundamental prin-
ciples o. city government is sur
prisIng
There ought TO be civil SER
vice examination for aldermanic
candidate remarked a city Off
cial recently when a member of the
courc.. made a stupid blunder.
Not al the council members are
deficient or lax in their public duty.
rhe council boasts 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. \ whispered instruc-
ion TO &c "boys" will often obtain
better r. suits than all the fine logic
end oratory OF the minority leaders.
Color, race OF creed should have
nothing To- do with the eligibility Of
IN aldeimanic candidate, providing
ne represents a majority of the vot.
"rs in ~ ward. but he ought TO be
competed 10 give intelligent atten-
iioI TO The city matters that will
come TO bis attention as member
Of he council The aldermen an
rually ss on items that involve
millions Cf dollGrs OF the taxpayers
money. They are supposed to pass
the nee, rSary regulating measures
for The safeguai ding of the health
and morris Of a community embrac-
ing NOR than half million people.
They are supposed TO look after city
matters in general. and individual
ward matters liz particular. The
stronger and more competent the
ward representative, the better the
interest OF the property owners
and residents In that ward are
looked alter
Governmertal efficiency under the
federal ,vstom IS largely dependent
upon the competency OF the alder
men Tho mayor cannot guarantee
lliciency ~ ia" departments he
Gnn.ilateN. without the support OF
the coupciI mem bers.
New blood ~ certain 10 come
into the council next fail from sew
eral OF the wards. Aid. Freiwald
of the Fourteenth, and Aid. Lempke,
Of the Thirteeltb, are both candi.
dates for he Republican nomination
cor county treasurer. Aid Rutter,
az the Fifteenth ward, Is out for
county auditor in opposition to
Auditor William Gutman. Aid. Case.
of the Eighth ward. wants to be
county drain commissioner.
II is not likely that several OF the
newer aldermen In the council will
be rewa, ded with another term The
rand development and the great
prosperity Of Detroit demand that
rs public business affairs be con-
Quoted by men OF ability, as well
as of integrity.
Aid. Maurice J. Heating, OF the
Fourth ward, rs 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. hut for his inherent
Celtic proclivitiea TO revolt against
the autocratic domination of coun-
Gil leaders Aid. Heating became
reconcilci during the Burton.Dinge-
w 'sulssI isnnH-pIeusnri-uvu
he present time there is no fac
tional division In the common coun.
Gil.