Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1912-03-08
THE COMING BATTLE.

to see a strenuous fight made
over the question of regulating
the rates of electric lights and
power were greatly disappointed and
the old saying "Constancy, thou art
jewel" was brought afresh to the
minds of more than one. For the past
year Mayor McClory supported by a
varying majority of the cit, council,
has attempted strenuously to relieve
the people from the extortions which
have been practiced upon them for the
past decade by the Devils Lake I'M
provement Co., SO as to keep the record
straight.
1t would not be amiss to review
briefly the steps that have been taken.
In July or August a committee was ap-
pointed to investigate the question Of
rates. On September is, 1911, that
committee made report to the coun-
Gil in favor Of very substantial re-
duction Of the rates charged by the
Devils Lake Improvement Co. The
committee moved the adoption of the
report; Immediately Alderman John
son of the Second ward, now candi-
date for reelection, was on his feet
and moved that the resolution be laid
on the table. The council Immediately
plunged into discussion of the mer-
its of reducing the rates charged by
the Devils Lake Improvement Co. The
fight on behalf of the corporation was
led by Alderman johnson and Alder
man Miller. 1t will be remembered
by large number of the citizens who
were present at that meeting the fight
which johnson and Miller made to ia
BILE the report, both by their votes and
speeches. Alderman Miller, who is
now seeking to become mayor of the
city Of Devils Lake made speech
again-' the report, declaring thar he
was against confscating any one S
property and also declaring against
the rights Of the city to step in and
tell any NAH how to run his business.
johnson echoed the sentiments uttered
ny Miller: both these gentlemen based
their opposition to the report for the
two reasons above stated. Others who
voted in favor of tabling the report
did so on the grounds that they de-
sired more information and also favor
ed further negotiations with the com
pany to see if an amicable agreement
could not be brought about. Alderman
johnson and Miller made no such ex
cuse but openly and boldly champion
ed the cause with all valor Of a paid
lobbyist, offering no facts or figures
to substantiate their claim but pro-
claiming loudly against confiscation
and against the rights OF the people to
prevent extortiona:e charges; as put
by them, to tell others how he should
run his business. Remembering we'll
the debate in that meeting the citizens
turned out in large numbers Monday
night expecting repetition but they
figured without their host. That was
six months ago the spring election
was still a long distance off.
When the meeting was called to or
der Monday night, before the regular
committee could introduce the ordi
nance regulating rates (and it was well
known such an ordinance would be Of
fered) Alderman Miller sprang to his
feet and introduced an ordinance reg
ulating the rates, which was promptly
seconded by Alderman johnson. These
two worthy gentlemen Immediately
commenced an open fight to have this
ordinance adopted Now the citizens
are wondering why these two gentle
men who championcd the cause OF the
corporation on September IS, 1911, and
declaring against the legal or moral
right of the people to protect them
selves against the legal or moral right
OF the people to protect themselves
against exhorbitant and extortionate
rates should now be found in the van
fighting the peoples battle.
Two reasons probably exist. One,
these two gentlemen are now seeking
suffrage Of the people Of this city, and
asking to be placed in power for the
next two years to guide it's destinies
The other ordinance sought to be ad-
opted last night would have prevented
any other ordinance on the same sub
ject and the ordinance as drawn and
introduced by Miller was clearly un-
constitutional on its face, for two
good reasons; these defects were nicely
covered up so that the average citizen
would not notice them. Query: if Al
dermen johnson and Miller were real
~ working for the people and not for
votes why did they Lot take the pre-
caution to have the ordinance drawn
by competent person so as to have
some value after adopted, or was it
just a little joker to fool the dear peo-
pie until after election. The fight is
on and although the administration of
Mayor McClory and a majority of the
aldermen have been assaulted with cal
umny and falsehood the people have
learned that this administration has
been one in which the peoples inter
ests have been looked after and some.
thing substantial done for Devils Lake
The World believes that an admins.
tration which has accomplished as