The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-04-17

zens will duplicate the records of the
past two years. II that while there
are still a fcw things that must he
done to make this n model city, the
city must cconomizc and keep up the
present improvements. Mayor NJ. r.
Murphy nj the annual meeting of the
city council o nTucSdav night. out
lined his policies for tho coming year.
Among the matters which he -~ish-
cd taken up in the near future he
named:
\ city scales.
Water s%oftening plant.
a municipal incinerator.
Municipal legislative committee.
State municipal league.
These matters were referred to the
proper committees. which were APP
council. Alderman Hugh Ryan.
The Mayors Message.
ITO tho honorable Members of the
City Council Of the City of Grand
Forks. North Dakota:
"Gcntlcment--'rhe people of the
city OF Grand Forks having endorsed
my administration of the affairs OF the
city during the past W Years by re-
clecting ME to the highest position
within their gift. it is hut natural that
l should feel grateful for the honor
thus conferred upon me and to take
this opportunity to express my appre-
citation Thereof by assuring them that it
shall be my earnest cndeavor in the
future as it has been in the past. to
perform the duties of the office to the
best of my ability. and thus in a man.
ncr repay them for the confidence re-
posed in me.
Il look back to the past two wears
with a great deal of satisfaction and
am pleased that there has been so few
changes in the membership Of your
honorable body. for our relations dur
ing that period has been Very friendly
and harmonious. You have succeeded
in accomplishing a great deal of the
success is no doubt due to the har-
monious relations existing between the
mayor and members of the city coun-
ell and sincerely trust. that the same
spirit will prevail during the coming
wear. There can he no question hut
that much of this success is due TO
the fact that all branches Of the city
government worked in perfect accord
and harmony. there being a total alb
sence OF chickering's or Discussions of
any kind whatsoever. In my opinion
we have q right to feel proud Of the
work accomplished by the administra-
tion just closed. Although beset with
more serious and important litigation
than n previous administration, the
city has been successful in all of its
contentious In all cases decided by the
courts up to the present time and now
have but three cases pending and I'M
determined. Two of these are known
as the jackson cases. and will be ar
gued and disposed of during the pres
ent term OF the supreme court. These
cases came down to us from the pre-
cedinG administration and are actions
to recover damages which they claim
to AVE sustained as A result of per-
sonal injuries alleged to have been
caused by the negligence of the city
by reason of its failure to cause the
removal Of snow and ice from its side
walks. The decision Of the supreme
court in these cases will settle the
question Of the liability of cities for
accidents caused by snow and ice up
on Sidewalks.
City extension.
The other Ease is known as the
City Extension case and the rrinci-
pies involved are of the utmost i'm.
portance to every municipal corpora.
ton in the state. The city council.
realizing that the practical city gov.
eminent is n that aims and strives
to respond, not only to the puhiic's
immediate needs. hut which leads in
planning for the future. and in or
der TO legally give to those vino live in
close proximity to tine city the benefits
of our public improvements. and more
especially to lay the foundation for a
larger, better and greater Grand
Forks. on the a3d day of October last.
extended the corporate limits IF the
city by anneXing certain tracts of land
contiguous to the city. For many
years last past the people residing in
tho territory so annexed have had all
the advantages of the government Of
the city Of Grand Forks and its insti-
tutions. ENJOYING its police and fire
leEes. have had the use of its water
and service and other public
utilities II have enjoyed the use of
its graded roads and paved streets
without contributing anything towards
the maintenance thereof. and it ap-
pears to me that it is no more thar
right Just and equitable. that. mas
much as these people have enjoyed all
of these privileges for years and Tor
ty has been greatly enhanced in value
by reason Of its proximity to the city,
they should contribute something in
the way of taxes to help maintain
and support the government which
gives them all these privileges and
advantages. 1t is for these reasons
that ] am of the opinion that this case
is of the utmost importance to the
citizens of Grand Forks. for if we can-
not. after furnishing all these privi-
leges and advantages to residents OF
territory contiguous to the city and in
addition thereto impartinE great value
to their lands. annex such territory
and make it bear its just share of the
burdens of taxation and in that event
we should either withdraw from them
the use and enjoyment of such privi-
lcges and advantages. or make them
pay such rates for their use as will at
least equal the cost to those citizens
who have resided within the corporate
limits prior to such annexation. 4
city like Grand Forks is simply the
nucleus. the nerve center Of the COM
munity Immediately tributary to it.
Whatever benefits the city Of Grand
Forks. benefits the territory immedi.
ateiy tributary to it. for their inter.
ests are identical.
Protect Public Improvements. -.
mo city in the United States has a
more complete system of public i'm
provements. Dur school buildings arc
modern and up to date and our STAFF
of teachers are classed with the very
best. The pupils of the Grand Forks
schools are given the best care and
attention. not only in matters of edu-
cation. but in sanitation as we'll and as
a result there has been very little If
any sickness among them. And what
is true Of our children is true Of the
public generally. Our first aim has
been to preserve the health of the
community. Much good has been ac-
by our inspection Of all classes of
/ fn0d milk and water Our nnw f1far