The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-16
MONOPOLY GETS
AHEAD OF I. !: ]. CITY III
VALUABLE WATER POWER MAY
BE LOST TO CRooKsToN.
Citizens Beginning to Realize that
Their Plans Are in Danger of Being
Upset by Local Concern Starting
Survey of River-zGovernment Will
Be Urged to Recognize Municipal
ty's Claims.
Special to The journal.

Special to The Journal. y, iii. #os.,s,
Crookston, Mimi, Feb. 16.-Citizens Of this
place are waking up to the fact that the valu-
able waterpower of the Red Lake river between
Crookston and Red Lake Falls Is in danger Of
falling into the hands Of the Crookston Water
works, Power & Light company, the local mo-
nopoly A.. .r.- r. In
Work has been started on the river near
Crookston and surveying Is in progress The
federal government usually gives waterpower
rights to the person or corporation first starting
work. 80 the company seems determined to
get hold Of the concession. Crookston wants
her own waterpower to use for city purposes
and prompt action by the city Is being urged.
1t is intended to bring the matter to the atten-
tion Of the government authorities as soon as
possible, and urge the higher claims Of the mu-
nicipal1ty as against any private corporation.
A series Of dams between here and Red Lake
Falls can be made to produce enormous power.
Faces Serious Problem. :, .4,s..ss
This city is face to face with most serious
financial proposition, owing to the fact that the
charter presented by the charter commission at
the election year ago next April was defeated
by the people. As result, it Is impossible to
improvements this year. About $50, 900 worth
of asphalt paving was to have been laid this
summer in the residence portion and bids for the
major portion of the work have been called for.
The old charter, however, provided specifically
that no public improvements can be made unless
the money to pay for the city's share of the
work is on hand. In the work contemplated the
city's share will amount to about Sc, COO and a
the present time there is only about that amount
available, and hut little more will be received
The city council is in a quandary. Some Of thu
members argued at the meeting last evening
that the necessary money could be used fron
the general fund.- but the asphalt company which
Gid the paving here three years ago would no
| turn furrow until the city's share of the COS
was In the permanent improvement funds. IS.
= p. No More Illegal Levies. = -. -'4
| What makes the situation more aggravatc
at the present time Is that heretofore the coun
Gil has made several illegal levies, such as tn
street intersection levy, the sewer intersection
! fund and several other assessments which reall
| belonged to the general fund levy, but serve
/ to augment it. While it was generally know
that these :levies were Illegal no one raised til
question till last year, when several prom
nent citizens refused to ply their taxes an
were sustained by the courts. This year, there
fore, County Auditor ,Hoffard refused to sprea
the illegal levies on the tax rolls and as a RI
suit the finances Of the city are in mos
crippled condition. No relief can be secured vi
less new charter, which.win soon be submit
ted at special electionaeis adopted, and eve
then there can be relief till another tax
levied and collecteds year later. ri. 49,"
Under these circumstances the outlook fl
any public improvements during the coming sun
mer does not look very bright. a. ~