The Wyandotte news-herald., 1946-03-21
Michigan Mirror
by gene allenlan

Will Kim Sigler run for COVER
nor? Well. it's possible.
All Of which illustrates the more
than average confusion which pre-
walls today at MiChigan'S capital
city. Lansing-one place in Mich
igan where being confused is a
normal state Of mind.
The sudden turn OF events in the
Ingham county grand jury, which
has been investigating state legis-
lative graft for more than two
years, has sent politicians into
huddleS.
First, the acquittal Of Frank
Mckay, Grand Rapids politician
and former Republican national
committeeman, vas the turning
point in Sigler'S record as a grand
jury prosecutor. This led to the
senate resolution, adopted by a
voice vote, authorizing a special
committee to look into tht grand
jury's disbursements.
Disclosures of grand jury spend
iEg kicked up a new controversy
as to whether state witness, pay
off man for interest seeking to COR
rupt certain legislators, should be
retained at stiff fees and expenses.
When the circuit court judge sus-
pended Sigler temporarily as a
prosecutor and Sigler retorted by
a sizzling condemnation. the fire
works really began TO fly. winding
up with Sigler being fired by
Judge Louis E. Coash and Richard
Foster, a young attorney and for
r1er prosecuting attorney. being ap-
pointed as his successor. Foster
will get the same rate of pay
500 a day-which isn't peanuts.
Why should Sigler want 10 run
fol governor?
In the first place, it is human
nature of an individual, who is
frustrated by opponents, 10 seek
vlrdication Of his position in some
manner.
If the state supreme court would
decline 10 ouSt the Ingham county
circuit judge from direction Of the
grand jury in favor of a private
attorney, who had happened to be
the starring prosecutor, Sigler
might adopt a 'watchful waiting"
policy to see what happens to the
two jury indictments which he
had previously groomed, one of
them being ready months ago for
serving of warrants. If the new
prosecutor exhibits a zeal to see the
bank and gambling indictments
through to a finish Iassuming that
the previously gathered evidence
stands Up under examination
then Sigler's case would be weak
ened in the eyes of the public
which is interested chiefly in re-
suits, not personalities.
But therein hes one of the main
complications.
The deadline for filing of pri-
mary petitions is Tuesday. April %
just about month away.
A ''watchful waiting" policy
would automatically exclude Sigler
from running for office, since there
isn't time at hand in one month
for the new prosecutor to accom-
plish the ends which Sigler de-
sires-the indictment and convic-
ton of a score or more persons in
Michigan who are next on the list
in the bank and gambling cases.
Entry of Detroit Mayor Edward
J JeffrieS in the Republican gub-
ernatorial race, as formally an
nounced by Jeffries last week, was
predicted in this column last Dec.
q. Jeffries' candidacy was first
launched March in the form of
trial balloon, but his formal
statement was released March II.
Jeffries' candidacy introduces
several interesting elements IN the
primary campaign. He is the
spokesman for the big cities and
other governments which seek a
cut in the state sales tax, as a res
Clution of their tax troubles. In
terestingly enough, the election of
Jeffries as governor of Michigan
would put a CIO.-sponsored mem
Der Of the Detroit council in the
position of acting mayor. Detroit
CLIO. unions might like to see JEFF
fries elected governor just to get
rid of him as mayor of Detroit.
1t was Jeffries, you will recall,
who defeated CLIO. official,
Richard Frankensteen, for re-elec-
ton as Detroit mayor last year.
Another possible contender is
Raymond ]. Kelly of Detroit, name