The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-10-27
KNOCKS ON
COUNCIL OF
9 FLIMSY
Arguments of OppO-
nents Quickly Dis
solve When PrObed

solve when FrODeu
Arguments advanced by aldermen
and others that a council OF nine
men would be less democratic than
the present ward system. and thar
This concentration OF power II auto
cratic In SIS tendencies. vanish into
thin air when they are analyzed.
~Who will look after the interests
Of tho people In the various wards
cry tho aldermen Who profess % be-
80 jealous Of the interests OF Their
constituents. especially for lev
months before election.
Answering these arguments. FRO
moments of the small council pla1
polnf out that aldermen elected al
large would be more representative
Of the people than those picked from
wards and In a better position 20
look after their wants
In the hrst place the personnel OF
the council would be improved. and
even the aldermen must admit there
Is room for H. Then, too, the con
centration OF responsibility and the
transfer OF the work now performed
by the council committee 20 The
small board would mean that the
members would be obliged 20 devote
large part OF their time 10 the
city's business. There probably
would be daily sessions. open 10 The
publIc. Of course, and the citizen
with "A grievance or a complain. OF
any nature could bring his troubles
directly 10 the council or az least
20 some member OF II. with reasonn
bic assurance that II would be given
prompt attention Under the pres
ent system an alderman often serves
merely az messenger boy.
The small council advocates are
urging those ION the fence" on this
proposition 10 attend a session o.
The present council. These gather
ings are more In the nature OF
social function than a meeting for
the transaction OF the city's bust
ness. Many OF the aldermen are
40 busy "gassing'' among them
selves that they sometimes answer
ives" or mo" 20 a roll call without
knowing what they are voting on
A phonograph or a parrot would do
ms well.
After attending one OF these ses
sions the doubtful citizen. " he is
stiiI unconvinced. should look in
on the board OF education IN one OF
its regular meetings. Here be viii
find the members. including onf
woman. gathered about long table
transactIng the business OF the
schools In a dignified. business-like
manner.
For years II has been the policy
OF the aldermen 20 rush thru their
business In as short time as poe
slble that they may attend the the
aters, to which they have passes,
or Join in a friendly game around
table IN some convenient wine
room or private noon. In other
words, council night is party night
with the aldermen The sessions
OF the school board, on the other
hand, usually occupy from two and
one-halr TO three hours and there rs
no time out for horse play.
The movement for the revision OF
The charter meets the warm approx.
al OF ID. II. Dwyer. president OF the
Wolverine Automobile club. and he
has volunteered to take an active
part I'm the campaign organized by
Mayor Marx. Mr. Dryer is particu
larry interested In the small council
plan.
an seems only logical that com
mon council composed OF men elect.
ed from the city as whole would
consider such matters as traffic and
paving in a broader light than the
present council" says Mr. Dryer
Detroit's importance as an automo-
bile town and show place" for
tourists Is advanced by Mr.. Dryer
as an additional argument for the
projected Belle Isle bridge.
The campaign will get under fun
Roadway next week, with big
schedule OF meetings. Or A. r.
Hatton. OF New York. will address
the pastors OF the city az luncheon
in the Y. Nj. c. A. Monday noon. He
will speak In Lillibridge school Mon.
day night and In the Nordstrum
school Tuesday evening. Tuesday
noon he will address the Board OF
Commerce.
Mayor Marx, Aid. Bradley. DIVE =
Durield. ex.Ald. Watson and others
viii speak In the school meetings
Monday and Tuesday nights. Mass
meetings have been arranged for
Wednesday and Friday nights In odd
Fellows hall. Baker-st and Hubbard.
ave, and Eastern high school, re-
spectively. Noon-hour factory meet
ings have been arranged az follows
Monday--Detroit Pressed steel
company. Continental Motor come
pany, Parker Rust Proof company.
Tueaday Whitehead a kales cone
pany, Cadillac Auto company main
plent). Detroit Seamless Steel Tubes
company.
Wednesday--M Michigan Stove works
Michigan Central r. ". shopa, Max
well Motor company.
Thuraday- -Anerican Hover come
pany. Gear Grinding a Machine com
pany. Anderson Electric company
ftudeha<er Motor company brush
and Piauette). Saxon Motor company
Friday--Acrne White Lead works.
nm M "Un AAy