.1 concur with the Chief Justice in the *624opinion that the council has power to investigate existing conditions and necessities, as regards the street railway of Detroit, and to obtain and pay for professional and expert assistance therein; and I am not prepared to say that it may not call to its aid the business judgment of its citizens, for whose use it may procure, or cause to be procured, such assistance, and may pay the necessary expenses of such persons. I also think it may provide for the payment of the expenses of such persons, whose selection may be made by the council itself, a committee thereof, or confided to the mayor, through whom it may make its investigation. I find nothing in the resolution indicating that the information sought to be acquired was not for the benefit of the council, as well as the mayor, and I am not satisfied that the council has not power to provide for the legitimate expense of the office of mayor, especially in the performance of duties imposed on him by the council. It appears to be conceded by counsel that it could not confer upon the controller the authority to pay money upon the certificate of the mayor alone, and the learned circuit judge has found that there is no cause for apprehension that he will. I therefore concur in the denial of the writ.