The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-08-08

Anders, who had attempted to relieve
himself Of the responsibility in the
matter by throwing it of on the street
committee.
Mr. Bowers said that the city en-
gineer had told him that he wanted
the street committee to assume the re-
sponsibility because he did not wish to
be roasted by Mr.. Stern. This Mr..
Anders denied in no uncertain terms,
whereupon Mr.. Bowers reiterated that
the city engineer had certainly made
that statement to him, which Mr.
Anders fatty denied. and said he did
not think it was right for the alder
man to bring in any conversation re-
garding Mr.. Stern in the matter az
all, that his remark about Mr.. Stern
had been at different time, quite q
few hours having elapsed between the
two incidents.
Alderman Bowers asked the city att
torney to read the ordinance, which
Mr. Shure did. At the conclusion OF
the reading, Alderman Sonquist stated
that in his opinion the ordinance had
been strained to some extent, not only
in this instance but in others, and
therefore he thought the bank should
be allowed to proceed.
Mr.. Stewart moved that the matter
be referred to the building committee,
but substitute motion of Alderman
Jardine that 1t be referred to the street
and building committees, prevailed.
Mcdonald Entered Protest.
Another incident or Importance at
the session last night was in regard to
the payment Of a bill OF SIS to Walter
Thomson, expert accountant, who has
been employed In the office of the city
treasurer. There were two bills pre-
sented by Mr.. Thomson, which were
read among those allowed, one for the
amount already named and the other
for $3.50. Both were for services rend-
cred the city in keeping the books OF
the treasurer, as explained later, by
Mr.. Cupler.
Alderman Mcdonald stated that he
knew nothing about Mr.. Thomson's
bill for $3.50. but he would like to have
the opinion Of the city attorney con-
corning the SIS bill before 1t was paid
These bills covered services rendered
from Jan. 1, 1911, and Mr.. Mcdonald
wanted to know why they should have
been presented when he had never
heard anything about them in the
council prior to this time nor did he
ever known when Mr. Thomson had
been engaged by the city to take charge
of the treasurer's books.
Mr.. Cupier attempted to explain tina;
| the city treasurer had no help in his
Office and that the books required q
great deal Of detailed work, in fac
much more than one man could handle
He further stated that to show or
| these books in the treasurer's Office
| Just how the various moneys were APP
portioned into different funds, it neces.
STATED bookkeeper Of some skill, and
in addition to this, he cited an in.
| stance where on the receipts from ths
county treasurer's ONCE, which totaleS
$71, 900, 1 per cent had been saved
which amounted to $40 for the city
He thought 1t was money in tn.
city's pocket to employ Walter Thorn.
/ son at $500 and save the city $500
(which heretofore had been RENTED II
the county treasurerss office. Mr.. Nc
Donald agreed with Mr. Cupler that i
would be an excellent business propo,
sition but he wanted to know who ern'
ployed Mr. Thomson, and that he dix
mot believe in the city's paying bills a
random without at first having regu
larly employed the people who wer'
rendering bills to the city council ex
pecting them to be paid.
Mr.. Mcdonald said that doubtless
the city treasurer. Mr.. Mitchell, needles
an assistant in his Office, and II 50, h
was only too willing to vote him help
but he wanted to know first when TIL
council passed such an ordinance al
lowing him that assistant and the pric
to be paid him.
Mayor L6well asked Mr.. Cupler IL h
knew who employed Mr. Thomson. t
which the alderman from the Fouztl
/ ward replied that he didn't and wante
i to know Of the mayor how ne shout
] know The mayor said that he though
( the treasurer was JUSTIFIED In havin
Office help IL he needed It, but he en-
dorsed the sentiment Of Mr. Medicinal