Evening star., 1937-02-09
MAYOR Of FLINT
MADE DICTATOR
Given Full Sway as Commits.
sioners Declare Estate
of Emergency"
BY the Associated Press.


FLINT, Mich, February 9-Mayor
Harold e. Bradshaw, political veteran
at 81, became q virtual dictator to-
day in this strike-ravaged city Of
1855 900 persons.
The city commission, declaring q
"state of emergency" last night,
thrust full responsibility for "main-
tanning law and order" into Brad
shaw's hands as the General Motors
strike passed its forty-second day.
Normally the ONCE Of mayor has
only nominal power. He sits as presi-
dent of the nine-member commission.
which shares the municipal control
with the city manager.
The action came swiftly and un-
expectedly, without debate and but
two dissenting votes, while tension
worn military and civil leaders
watched the protracted strike peace
conference between opposing leaders
at Detroit.
National Guard officers, with more
than 5000 Guardsmen quartered in
nine sections Of the city, intensified
their vigilance, although the city re-
manned outwardly calm Word that
the Detroit parley would continue
through another day was welcomed
in many quarters.
Has No Public Voice.
Although Mayor Bradshaw was |
effect q dictator. he had no public
voice. Like other lily officials, he
came under q gag" rule laid down
Saturday by the city commission.
City Attorney Hoffman was made the
official city spokesman and IL other
officials were barred from making
public statements.
Hoffman issued a brief statement
concerning the delegation of power to
Bradshaw. He said:
In the time of an emergency such
as now exists this action was deemed
advisable for the purpose Of CO.
ordinating all the city departments.
1t in no way reflects on the city man
ager or any department head
The mayor broke through the off,
cial silence to make q single state
ment.
In accepting this responsibility"
he said. i don't want it to be con-
strued as criticism Of any depart
ment head"
Bradshaw became mayor by vote of
the commission last November. Under
commission rule he serves as presi-
dent Of the body.
Somewhat under average stature,
rather slight of build. and sharp fea-
tured, Mayor Bradshaw. running as a
non-paTtisan. topped all commission
candidates in four elections.
Employe Of General Motors.
He has been an empioye of General
Motors about nine years. and about
eight years ago was editor Of the
Buick News Lately he has been en-
ployed in the distribution department
Of the Buick Motor Car Co., General
Motors subsidiary.
Bradshaw Is a member of the
American Legion, the Elks and
Masons. He is married and has
l3-year.old son, Forrest.
The commission resolution was con-
sidered. 1t said:
whereas there is an emergency
existing in the city Of Flint at this
time, now therefore be 1t resolved, that
the mayor be and hereby is authorized
to take command Of the police depart
ment Of the city Of Flint and such
other departments and subordinates
of the city as may be deemed neces-
sary for the purpose of maintaining
law and order"
No official sources would comment
on what the commissions action might
mean to the police reserves" Or
ganized last week by City Manager
John NJ. Barringer, deprived Of his
power by last nights action.
Barringer went before the commits
sion to answer a series of questions