The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-04-17
MAYOR MURPHY SAYS THAT THE CITY
IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOT YET COMPLETE
Would Assist in Organization of State Municipal League
For Legislation and Mutual Beneft-Suggests In
Generator, City Scales and Water Softening Plant.

attention to the fact that Grand Forks
has more acres of park property and
more miles of paving than all the 9TH
er cities Of the state comhined-a con-
dition of affairs in which IL citizens
have a right to take Il great deal Of
pride. Our new city hall, a strictly
fire proof. modern building. which
ment of II city government as we'll
as offices of the board of education,
park board. Associated Charities, ETC.,
Is II monument to tho work of the
past two years and u Will serve many
generations to come and / feel assured
that if the people of the county at the
coming primary election saw fit to au-
ihorize the erection of a new court
house. they would never regret their
action. for every one must recognize
the fact that the present structure has
outlived its usefulness and no one can
claim it to he Il credit TO such a large,
populous and wealthy county as the
/, county of Grand Forks. Our splendid
ornamental street lighting system. is
the admiration of all visitors to our
city AS we'll as asource of pleasure
and qualification to our selves. The
location in our city of the University
OF North Dakota, Wesley college. st.
~Fcrnard's academy. Aakcr's business
college and the Union Commercial
college afford to all who come to
Grand Forks the best ot facilities for n
complete and thorough education. Our
hospitals are complete i'll every detail
and cannot be surpassed and our
churches arc simply magnificent. The
charitable institutions arc doing good
work and much credit is due to the
work accomplished through the. efforts
of the y. w. e. y. as we'll as the V.
NJ. c. a.
All of Il splendid improvements
We're not brought about without the
imposition OF hurdensolne taxes and as
q natural consequence they should be
we'll protected and looked after. We
should economizc wherever possible
during the coming Years so as to light
on the burden as much as VIC can. We
now have the most modern, up-to-
date. progressive. healthiest, hest To-
Gated city for business in the north
west. Our future depends entirely up
on ourselves. upon our spirit of uni
putting their shoulders to the wheel
and all pulling together for the gencr-
al good: You. gentlemen. as we'll as
myself. have an important part to per-
form in the upbuilding and progress
OF our city. Let us cndcavor to do
u part we'll, SO that when We lay
down the mantle of office and retire
to private life. we shall have the salts
faction of having done the very best
we could.
City. Scales.
"A great many of our citizens APP
parently favor the erection Of Il city
scales for the weighing of coal. hay.
and other commodities. and ! there
fore recommend that Your honorable
body investigate the matter. and if you
deem 1t cNpedient,. that YOU take the
necessary steps to install such scales.
soft Water Plant.
Owing to the low stage of water in
our rivers during the past few Wears
and tho probabilities that this state of
affairs will continue lin the future. and
as scientists claim that this is the
cause, Of the hardness ,of the water
which nno be .rcnfovesd or obvia,ed
by filtration. + am offthe opinion that
il would be wise to install the neces-
sary machinery to soften tho water,
consequently / recommend that your
honorable body investigate his matter
also. and if o deem it advisable. in
stall the best system that can be pro.
!cured.
Disposal Of Sewage.
Another matter of great impor-
garbage. dead animals. etc. The best
information ! have on this subject is
that burning is the cheapest. and most
sanitary way of diSposing of the amc
This nccessitates the purchase of an
incinerator: This matter has been zip
before YOU for consideration at vari-
Gus times. and ] suggest that YOU pro-
cure information as to the best and
most available incinerator for our
needs.
City Growth.
The government census of 1910
showed that from 1900 to 1910 our
population increased IS per cent.
During the SAM" period Il assessed
Valuation increased more than 100 per
cent. This is a most magnificent rec
ord and has set a high mark for us
for the period from 1910 to 1920. but
we are sure to attain. it if We all work
together. for the old saving holds true.
Where there is a will there is a way
and with that spirit We can accom-
plish ANYTHING that is in reason.
Municipal Legislation.
During the last session. of the leg
islature. Your committee on legislation,
prepared and had introduced a bill
providing that whenever in the opin-
ion Of the city council it was for the
best interests of the city. the council
could order all work OF public i'm
provenents such as paving, the con
struction of sewer and water mains,
etc, to be done by the city. and the
cost thereof assessed against the prop
crty benefited. This was for the pur-
pose of preventing any combination by
the contractors bidding for the work.
This measure. however. was defeated
by certain interests. Had there been
an organized effort made by all of the
large cities in the state / feel conf
dent it would have passed. In order
to accomplish anything in the way of
legislation it is necessary that amor
EaniZcd effort be made to secure the
same. ! would therefore recommend
that steps be taken to" secure the or
ganization of a municipal league for
the state of North Dakota and that all
municipal corporations in the state be
requested to join in such organization.
The good accomplished by such an
organization would he incalculable
and in addition thereto it would in
culcate a feeling of friendship between
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