The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-03-21
benefits he had anticipated therefrom.

ousASAA1S SAC " COulGT
with the gas company and investigate
existing conditions. While this reso-
luton was not vetoed it yet did not
meet with his approval and he did
nothing to aid 1t, but on the contrary,
by insinuation and imputations cast
every obstacle in its way. This COM
mission investigated the subject and
as a result of its negotiations, pro-
cured reduction in the price of gas.
1t accomplished something. 1t went
through no useless motions. 1t had
little power but that little power was
used with tact and discretion which
was in strict contrast with the meth
DDS adopted by Mr.. Duis.
At the same meeting of the council
authorizing the appointment of this
commission resolution was by it
adopted requesting the opinion from
the city attorney as to the validity of
the franchise and the power of the
city council to regulate the rates. This
resolution was accorded the same re-
ception by the mayor as was the reso-
luton creating a commission. Both
resolutions has been referred to by
him and by his followers as being
attempts to rob him of some credit
in his so-called gas campaign. 1t is
to steps of this character and to those
who favor the same that he had spread
broad cast his charges of corruption
and venality written upon his own let
ter head and signed in his name.
The absurdity of the bonding pro-
position was soon apparent, for the
amount which could be realized upon
the credit Of the city would not be
greatly in excess of the sum that
would be required to purchase the
meters alone, without taking into con-
s:deration the installation of the plant.
The proposition was therefore per-
mitted to slumber. We hear nothing
of it now except by way of excuses
and explanations. While the opinion
of the legal department was still I'M
der consideration and without waiting
for Its completion. Mr.. Duis caused
another ordinance to be introduced
which last ordinance attempted to ex-
ercise the power of the state in regu-
lating the price of gas. This was
equally absurd with the bonding
proposition. Before this ordinance
came to its final vote the opinion of
the legal department was furnished
which opinion held the franchise void
and the city to be without power to
regulate rates. The latter question
is clear and plain, and it is conceded
the position of the legal department
was absolutely correct and that the
late ordinance was nullity.
In ones own private business af-
fairs, one usually selects an attorney
| in whom he has confidence and fol-
| lows his advice. This Mr.. Duis does
in his private affairs, but he deems
! some other rule more consistent with
his ideas as to what would inure to
his own advantage with respect to
| city affairs. Unable to question the
validity of the opinion of the legal
department, in fact conceding it to be
sound, yet he attempted to run direct
ly counter thereto and caused to be
enacted by the council an invalid and
void ordinance. Reasonable minds can
draw but one inference or deduction
from actions such as these.
Mr.. Duis has deliberately ignored
the recommendations made after care
full consideration by his predecessors
and which are informally deemed
sound and correct. He has caused
an election to be had for the issuance
of bonds and after being authorized
SO to do he has accomplished moth
Ing, nor has he even attempted to do
anything. He has ignored absolutely
the authority he requested and he has
followed that by attempting to obtain
from the council the exertion Of
power not possessed by it. He has
run directly counter to the opinion
OF the legal department of the city
and of any attorney who has given the
subject the least thought or attention.
He has absolutely no warrant or back
Ing in the position he assumes except
that of some of his political followers
and employees.
Although when inaugurated he had
before him the plan which commends
itself to every reasonable judgment, to-
wit: the recommendation for the can
collation. of the franchise and the
granting of a new one which shall
adequately conserve the city's inter-
est; franchise that should be limited
in terms with compensation for the
rights conferred, and with sufficient
measure of control both over quality
and price, he has refused and neglect
n6 IN a 10 Oh NJ