The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-04-17
THE EVENING TIMES, GRAND FORKS, n. D.

might be appointed should find no
good legal grounds by which light
and electricity can be obtained at a
reasonably price from the Grand Forks
Gas and Electric company, that steps
be taken for the establishment of a
municipal lighting plant, our people
demand that something be done by
which this question can be settled
in a satisfactory manner. and they
have a right to demand immediate
action.
The Municipal league OF North Da-
kota at the instance of the delegates
from our city prepared a measure
which was submitted to the legisla-
ture last winter, granting to the city
councils of the incorporated cities of
North Dakota. the right to regulate
the charges of public service corpora
tons. This bill particularly affected
the city of Grand Forks in reference
to the lighting question but unfortu-
nately this bill failed to pass and other
means will have to be tried in the
regulation of public service corpora
lions in this state.
In the retiring council there was
appointed committee for the purpose
of investigating and reporting on the
purchase of a site for a hay and wood
market. I trust that the incoming
council will take prompt action in re-
appointing such committee and en-
deavoring to make such a purchase.
1t is absolutely necessary that we
should have in this city place where
hay and wood teams may be confined
so that our streets will not be Uttered
by the scatterings OF hay.
Fire Department.
The city of Grand Forks is to be
congratulated on the efficiency of its
fire department. The wisdom of hav-
ing two fire stations has been amply
demonstrated in the past year. Inn
portant fire fighting apparatus has
been added to the department the past
year and the efficiency of our depart
ment is seconded 10 none at this time.
1t will be necessary at some time dur
ing the year to either build new fire
hall or move the present Fourth street
structure to the new site. 1 know
that this council will use its best
judgment in maintaining the efficiency
of our fire department and in supply
ing suitable building for the south
side station.
Health Department..
1t is a matter of cOngratulation
that the health OF our citizens has been
excellent during the past year and
while We have had few cases for
our new detention hospital there have
been no serious epidemics. Those
patients who were obliged to occupy
our detention hospital. found there
excellent service and building that
is model of its kind and one of abb
solute necessity for city of this
size. The wisdom of a previous coun-
Gil that ordered the construction of
this building has been fully demon
strated.
l desire to call your attention to the
reports of the several departments
and l know that when You consider
the heads of the departments that they
are entitled to the congratulation
of our citizens for the good services
rendered.
The police department is entitled
to congratulation for the efficient
work of the past year. no city can
show better record in that respect
than can Grand Forks.
The street department has done
much in the way of improvements in
the streets, especially in the outskirts
of the city and on the main thorofares
leading to the city. The work was
done within the appropriation of the
council and it is we'll known that the
work in this department has increased
in the last two or three years on ac-
count of the extra expense for repair
ing worn out paving.
The engineering department has had
a great deal of additional work be-
cause of the paving matters that re-
CURED additional expense. The eff
cheney of this department has never
been questioned.
l desire to congratulate the chief
engineer and subordinates at the pump
house and electric light station. The
care and economy exercised at this
station cannot be excelled and 1 trust
that our citizens will visit and in
spect this plant, if they have not al
ready done so.
1t is matter of congratulation that
the citizens of Grand Forks are all
interested in the growth and prosperi-
ty of our city, on important matters
they are pulling together. In the
past year the council chamber has
been many times filled with citizens
who were interested in the passage
of necessary and suitable ordinances
for the government of the city. In
formation has been freely given to the
members of the council and has been
freely sought and spirit of honesty
and fair play has pervaded this coun-
Gil chamber. Everything that has
been done has been done for the best
interest of our city and l trust that
the same good will and unselfish
motives may continue during the life
of this council. assure you that
there will be matters of the most vital
importance to come before you and