The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-04-28
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Emnhasixed by Mayor johnson II
800 III. Annual Message.

Emphasized by Mayor u
His Annual Message.
| Arayor Johnson of Fargo submitted
his annual message to the city council
on the beginning of his fourth term az.
mavor. The communication was ex-
tons;ve md covered many points of IN
terest to the municipality. After felic-
itatinp the council on the city's growth
during the past year, in which more
/ money had been spent for buildings
than at any other period Of the city's'
history. the. mayor predicted greater
expenditures along that line this year..
and cited some Of the work already
planned. Especial attention was called
TO the number of residences to be built,
Indicating that the city was becoming
one of homes. and that the increase in
regulation from outside sources neces-
STATED increased accommodations Tor
the neople. The wholesale trade OF
1893 had amounted to $9,153,2O9. In
1899 it was $1O,726,O15, an increase OF;
S1. 5733,SO6. Dec. 81, 1898, there was
on deposit in Fargo banks ]$1,659.924.
Dec. 81, 1899, the amount was Sl,16o,-
G91. The Fargo clearing house in 1888
handled S14,677, $40. In 1899 the
amount was $17,921, 159.
The sale Of stamps and box rents Tor
the Fargo pOstOffice increased from
S35O77 in 1898 to $3S,O74 in 1899. Az
the end of the present fiscal year, in
lime. Fargo will rank as a frst-class
office, a distinction v before at
tanned by a city of the same popula-
ton. The advantages of Fargo's hotels
were pointed out. including the in
crease by the addition of the big Wal
dorf during the past year. The total
registration Of Fargo's hotels during
the year just passed was 1908. The
activity of Fargo's real estate was
shown in the comparison Of the figures
for the last four years. The amounts
in 1896 we're $1S1 ,57S; 1897, $212,S76;
1898, 2 9942; 1899, $314,956 or an m
crease in four years Of $~133,OSO-al-
most 80 per cent. These figures indl-
cate that investors are not much afraid
of Fargo. The freight handled in
Fargo in 1898 was 4,6O8,S40.OOO pounds.
In 1899 the total vas 4.6O8,84O,OOO.
A high tribute was paid the local
volunteer fire department., and it was
suggested that a system be devised for
a graduated payment for the services
of the members. At present only the
drivers and the chief are on salaries.
Under the head of city improvements
during the past year it was shown
that four and two-tenths miles Of addi-
tional paving were laid at q cost of
$107. O13; 14,S2S feet of sewer, Of which
1850 was 3G-inch brick, was laid at q
cost Of $47,955; 1896 feet Of water
mains were put in at O cost of $12, 190,
making a total for improvements in
the city Of $167,16S.
The mayor is now on a stated salary
of 500 per month. In the past the
salary, or stipend. has been only 500
per year, and Fargo has been governed
the most cheaply of any municipality
of its size in the world. All Of the
mayors appointments were confirmed
except that Of T. S. Norgaard for
auditor. This was rejected by a vote
of 8 to 8 and j. NJ. Rowe. who has
served for the last two years, holds
over.
Chief Of Police Bowers. Superintend-.
ent Of Water Works Thimens. Street
Commissioners johnson, City Assessor
Wade, Building Inspector Campbell
! and a number Of deputies were reap.
pointed. Richard Fields was appoint
ed city weigher, to succeed Joe La
Mont dismissed, and Tom Hall a o
tain of police, vice Grant.