The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-03-25
CITY COUNCIL
SHARP and BRIEF
CITY COUNCIL SESSION LAST
NIGHT, WHILE BRIEF, WAS
FULL OF cAusTlc REMARKS
AND SOMEWHAT POINTED
TWO ORDINANCES.

It was a brief but momentous meet
ing the city council held last night. and
1t was the last session until after the
election Of new aldermen from the
various wards of the city under the
present form Of government and the
disposal of the new commission plan.
Two ordinances cuTbing the Union
Light, Heat & Power Co. from extend
ing its building operations in the Fifth
ward were introduced o ntheir first
reading. And there were spicy words
between Alderman Mcdonald and City
Auditor Watkins.
The spat Of these two officials arose
over he matter of the raising of the
water rate for the agricultural college.
1t was read by Auditor Watkins that
the rate for the college had been in
creased from 6 to 10 cents.
A communication from the college
authorities which objected to the in
crease was read by City Auditor Wat
kins. Alderman Mcdonald asked when
this increase had been made. Mayor
| sweet informed him it was on author
ity of the fire and water committee.
Mr.. Mcdonald said he had 20 knOWl-
edge of any such action taken by the
fire and water committee, Of which he
is a member, and asked Alderman
Bowers when the committee had con-
vened to increase this rate. Mr.. Bow
ers said he was ignorant OF any such
action.
City Auditor Watkins asked permits
sion Of Mayor Sweet to answer both
gentlemen. de stated that he himself
told Mr.. Bowers OF the transaction. Mr..
Bowers reminded the auditor that the
latter had not spoken to him until aft
er the rate had been increased and
that the fire and water committee mad
nothing to say about the matter. This
Mr.. Watkins admitted.
We'll, Mr.. Watkins" said Alderman
Mcdonald, Il think if you will care
fully look up the ordinances and char
ter OF his city. you will find that only
the city council has the power to in
crease rates, allow estimates and order
warrants. l don't know as the city
auditor or any other individual official
is given that legal right. When you
attempt to increase this rate yourself
you are assuming the rights the coun-
Gil has only when it is in session"
Alderman Jardine said if III had
known anything about the matter, he
would liked to have recommended the
rate be increased to Is cents. Mayor
Sweet did not appear t have under
stood the controversy and stated that
as there had been 10 official action and
no money paid by the agricultural COL
lege authorities, 1t was up to the
! council to act. Nothing, however, was
done last night, and the matter was
referred to the fire and water commit
tee.
The first ordinance introduced last
night prohibits the Union Light, Heat
& Power Co. from extending its plant
or containers in the Fifth ward. Pro-
vision is also made for the annulment
of the building permit, granted that
corporation for the erection Of the
contemplated c]ontainer about which
there has been such a prolonged con
troVersy in the council.
The second ordinance declared when
a gas works is a public nuisance or
menace to public health and safety. a
penalty for the keeping Of the same is
stipulated in the ordinance in the form
Of 500.
A communication was read by the
auditor which asked that a distinction
be made between pawHbrokers and
second hand dealers. At present both
pay $50 license, but the second HAND
dealers desire to secure a IS license.
The mex session Of the council will
be held on the evening Of April Z, after
the city election.