Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1902-07-24
SCHOOLS COST TOO MUCH.
Alderman Kurtz Says jamestown
Taxpayers Do Not Get Value
Received.


being absent. The resolution making
the annual levy of S27, 900 was passed
after some discussion. Alderman
hurtz objected to the appropriation
for the school of sl4, 500 which is 81. 900
more than the schools got last year.
Mr.. kurtz thought the city was not
receiving as much for this money as
should be the case. Year by year the
appropriation became larger and the
education was no better than Y or 15
years ago. He thought the apprOpria-
ton should be reduced 10 per cent.
He favored good schools but thought
jamestown did not receive all it
should for money expented
Alderman Squirting thought if there
was any institution that Should re-
ceive all the funds needed, it was the
public schools. The board of educa-
tlOn was composed Of men and women
OF ability who have undoubtedly gone
over the matter carefully and would
not ask for anything that was not
right.
Alderman Chapman SAID it had been
pretty well established that the city
council had no power to regulate the
amount called for by the board of edu-
cation. The amount was placed with
the other city items merely as a mat
ter OF form. Mr.. Chapman sympa-
thized with Mr.. kurtZ but did not
think anything could be done about it.
Alderman Crum stated that as he
understood it there was good reason
for the increase in the amount asked
TOR by the f1oard of education. Some
real estate costing about the amount
Of the increase or more had been pur-
chased.
City Auditor Eager said the coancil
had no power to cut the amount asked
Tor by the board. The resolution pro-
viding for the levy was accordingly
passed. Alderman kurtz voting no.
After considerable discussion it was
decided to pat in connections in the
city mains for the residences of Alder
man kurtz and A. G.. Tellner. There
were connections to the residences of
| the gentlemen named but the city cut
them off and now will replace same.
A resolution appropriating sl5O for
tie purpose OF paying r. Rose for lots
on which the standpipe is to be located
was passed.
| The committee to whom was referr-
ed the matter OF selling a city lot to
A. G. Tellner reported unfavorably on
the proposition.
In connection with the matter Of
city pumping Of water for the mains
by the electric light company as pro-
posed in the ordinance that has pass
ed the council, Alderman Chenery
| has received letter from a former
citizen who is posted on the cost Of
the above service. The letter says
that the price Of $3.50 for pumping
100000 gallons of water is a pretty
stiff one. as the city will need one
million gallons per day many times,
and that amounts to $25 per "a hours.
The necessary power to pump 100000
gallons $50 feet high in "a hours is
about 3 horse and $40 month is good
price for power of this kind. In the
town in which l now live contract
has just been closed for pumping
thirty million gallons per month, 200
feet high for $500 per month, and the
company furnishes their own pump
and meters, so you see that James
town is getting no snap. I believe
that of all the fool things they have
done this is the biggest and the citi
zens will find out the fact before
many months have rolled around"
Some time ago Alderman Chenery
presented figures of the cost of new
pump and we'll as not more than the
cost of deepening the old well and
buying pump for the company, and
that the cost of the fuel and men to
pump as much water as the City
would want. WOuld amount to abOu
what the water rents would bring in.
and would be practically self support
ing. Alderman kurtZ has stated
that the former council has an offer
from bona-tide party to put in
tank and engine complete with suf-
ticient capacity to pump water ample
for all purposes, for town of twice
the size of this for the sum of $1,000.
The new ordinance for the electric
light company is before Mayor Severn
who has not yet signed the same, and
has until the 10th to sign or veto it.
AS far as known to the council as a
body. he has not indicated his inten-
tions regarding his action in the mat
ter.