Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-10-07
Jeffries Urges
All Detfoiters
To Vote Today

t0eHttHHtH tfetH aye OHc
rifice to defend our democratic
form OF government and at the
same time grow indifferent
toward the machinery of govern
ment that implements our de-
moeraey ?"
Although he has refrained from
saying anything directly about
Judge ellis before the primary
vote, the mayor took up the accu-
sation that he has been too blunt
in dealing with racial, religious
and labor groups and presented his
answer. He added:
During my 81 months as chief
executive OF this city, 1 am sure
that have made some enemies.
II have been told that 1 am
sometimes too blunt and too
abrupt in my dealings with GER
tain groups which have wanted
me to grant them special privi-
leges regardless or the cost to
the people as a whole.
II have been told that should
be mere diplomatic with- such
groups--that j should say mo-
with a smile and a soft word.
Maybe they are right. But
cannot change my manner or my
methods of dealing with people.
"When 1 discover that a prop
osition is basicaliy wrong--and I
mean by that, IN opposition to
the good of all the people, say
so candidly and In no uncertain
terms even though / step on the
tees of some,
BOUND TO MAKE ENEMIES
Every solid effort toward
lettering government is bound
to make enemies for any admin
istration. When two departments
or bureaus of government were
consolidated. there was, of
course. some resentment. When
we insisted on cutting rates of
interest which the city pays for
borrowed money the lenders did
not stand up and cheer. When
we decided to carry our own
insurance, and when we aban-
doned other cOntractural reIa-
tionships I'm the interests of good
public policy and sound economy,
the concerns affected were not
very enthusiastic about the JEFF
friae adF1iptsfNaf fan
But we made these improve
ments, we effected these
changes, all In the interests of
the people of Detroit as a whole.
And that Is the way democracy
must function"
Jeffries urged at length the i'm
portance of the election from the
standpoint Of good government
and reminded his hearers that they
also have an important task in
selecting candidates for the Com
mon Council and for city clerk
and city treasurer. He said:
LET me remind you that from
the candidates 90 be selected at
Tuesdays primary will be chosen
the men, who during the years
1912 and 1943, will have much TO
do with creating the environ
ment In which all of us live.
CoUNCMMAN's JOB
"They are the men who will
give Detroit a good name or a
bad one. They are the men who
can maintain Detroit on n sound
financial basis, to which we have
lifted II as the result of a lot
of hard work during the last 2I
months. They are the men who
can attract new business and in
-dnstrY 10 Detroit--Or brighten IL
away.
"They are the men who will
decide on expenditures for your
public schools, public recreation,
public parks and Fairgrounds.
let me remind you that, en-
tlrely apart from the threat of
physical invasion, IL Is desper-
ately important that we keep
working at our democracy II we
are TO resist successfully all Of
the champions OF various 1sms'
who=are ready-and- eager tn
move in upon us the instant we
grow Indifferent to our way Of
life"