The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-03-24

ing and operating water works with
the result that he recommended the
Installation OF q meter system. His
recommendations were adopted and
the result was apparent before the
close of his term: the revenues Of the
plant We're largely increased and the
plant was doing about one-half of the
work required before his recommend
atoms We're adopted.
The issue: Does this meet with the
approval Of the people"
International Harvester Co. Stdctrack
Franchise.
During his last term, there being
lull in public improvements, Mr.. Din
ME turned his attention TO the con-
dition of the outstanding franchises,
recommending investigations to de-
;ermine their validity and laying down
sound rules with respect TO the grant
ing of new franchises, among which
rules were the following:
(a) Every franchise granted should
be limited to d specified number of
years.
Oh 1t should require compensation
for the use OF the street.
tcl 1t should reserve control over
quality.
I'D 1t should reserve control over
prices.
le) 1t should provide Tor The TAX
ing over OF the plant by the city if
desired at the end of the term.
These provisions are universally
held sound.
One Of the last things done by Mr.
Duis was to grant franchise TO a
railway company TO use certain alleys
and streets of the city for side track
purposes and that franchise is per-
I.etual in it's terms and contains no
reservation OF control, nor did the
| granted, nor is there any provision
| by which the city, in years to come,
can obtain compensation for such
rights. no matter how valuable they
| may be; for Il right of way across pri-
! Nate property, for portion of the
same track, the company paid $500
TO the owners thereof
The issue: Do the people approve
OF gifts of this character?
street Railway and Other Franchises.
During Mr.. Dinnie's term, franchises
were granted to street railway and
| telephone company. which franchises
provide that certain payments are to
be made in January. April, July and
October OF each year as consideration
Tor the use OF the streets; the gentle
men interested in the corporations ex-
! crossing these franchises are upright,
/ honorable gentlemen and undoubtedly
/ are willing to make such reports and
| payments, but Mr.. Duis has ignored
these provisions; no report or payment
las been made and the city has there
| by lost large revenue
The issue: Do the people longer
desire man SO interested in his pri-
vate business that the affairs of the
| city are neglected.
Cas- Company.
During the carly years OF Mr.. Din
MES term the gas company failed to
comply with the terms of its contract
| with the city for the lighting of the
streets. Mr.. Dinnie cancelled the con-
tract and installed a municipal light
ing plant; during the last year of his
term and at the same time he made an
investigation and recommendations
concerning the. water system. Mr..
Dinnie recommended that the gas COM
rany franchise should be cancelled
and new franchise granted which
should be limited to term of years,
require payment Of compensation for
the use of the streets and reserve con-
troll in the city over quality and price.
Mr.. Duis has done nothing to accom-
pliah this result but, on the contrary
has attempted to interject political
bitterness and animosities into a
purely business question. He obtained
a vote from the people authorizing the
issuance of bonds to establish a mum.
c:pal lighting plant and has failed
even to ask for bids for the bonds OF
to issue the same; he attempted tc
coerce the council into passing an in.
valid, illegal and void ordinance pre-.
tending to regulate rates, directly
counter to not only the best but all
legal opinions. Nothing effectual can
be looked for from him upon this sub.
ject or to remedy conditions although
the opinion of the legal department
has been rendered that the franchise
is void. He has offered no excuse for
failing to follow the recommendations
Of Mr.. Dinnie.
! The issue: Do, the people approve
i