The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1902-07-03
THE CITY DADS
UP AGAINST 1T.

The present prospect, figured out
by the city council after half a night 5
conference last night, is for either term
of no lights and no water term of
eXorbltant charges for those commo-
dities and subsequent litigation for their
collection, and for no city officers, eX-
cept the mayor and city council and such
other officers may fit to work with
out pay. The situation as stated in the
council is that the running expenses of
the city have been met by emergency
fund created out of the occupation tax
collections and the monthly fines from
the joints. The latter source of revenue
has been cut off by recent action of
citizens, and the former can be collected
only at intervals along, SO that small de-
pendence can be put upon it for running
expenses even for a few months. After
settling up their months bills it is stated
that the available funds for current ex-
penses will be exhausted. There are
some 5000 in the general fund, but it can
be used legally only to apply on payment
of the earliest issue of a $4,000 out
standing script The council discussed
the situation carefully and decided that
the only honest action was to let the
ciry's condition be known at once. The
water and light company understands
that its only prospect is to accept script
in payment for this months service. To
the council this was the most deplorable
feature of the situation. The city has
seven years contract for water and lights
at exceptionally low rate The failure
to meet the present months bills with
the cash, according to the terms of the
contract, not only inyalidates this con-
tract, but it brings into force again the
old contract, which has the most objec-
tionable of terms. What eyer controver-
sary there may be regarding the methods
of meeting the expenses of the town. or
what ever side of the controversy he may
be on, every citizen is bound to admit
that the expenses must be met, and should
be willing to lend his aid to suraig hten
out the tangle in some way. The aver
age councilman is loyal to his town, and
| works for its interests with his best
effort. The council says that it is ssup
against it, In fairness to the marshal,
city attorney, street commissioner and
others who expect pay from the city, the
council has explained the city e condition.
The matter is one of vital Importance to
every citizen and the situation is one
| which calls for the combined wisdom of
the citizens to meet. The members of
the council will no doubt be grateful for
advise and assistance from the people
whom they are serving. The prospect
for recovering from past mistakes has
been good. The greater part of the old
indebtedness has been compromised.
The balance against the city has been
! diminishing. The dete ernination of the
| council has been to not allow new debts
| to accumulate against the city. The
present situation is certainly worthy of
the personal study and effort of every
one who is interested in the
town. With the combined and
harmonious effort OF the town some way
should be devised to pull affairs through
creditabIy. There is too much at stake
| TO wrangie. to look at nothing but preju-
dices either one way or the other.