The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-04-17
Delivers Very Pointed Address Before
comnission--New Members Qualify

President Davis and Commissioners
Byorum and Dorman have qualified
for their respective Offices. At a
meeting Of the commission Tuesday
night. Mr.. Davis delivered the follow
ing address:
Members OF the Board ct City Com.
missioners:
In assuming the Office to which
have Len chosen by the people Of
Minot, II seems to me proper tc say,
thai appreciate the honor ana ac-
cept the responsibilities laid upon me
and that ] will to the best OF my
ability discharge the duties o. the
Office honestly, fairly and imrartially.
The vital questions or the paramount
issues OF the recent campaign iEvolv.
ed the question of paving of our
streets, the cleaning of streets and
alleys, The fixing CT rates Of heat,
light and telephones, reduction Of
taxes and the enforcement of laws.
recognize the people as masters II
all questions of public improvements
and matters Of government of the city
Personally am convinced that the
paving of at least the business por.
ton Of the city is step in the right
direction and will prove to be for.
ward movement towards developing
a greater city. l shall favor public
improvement in this direction as the
resources of the city may warrant.
The people believe that consumers
of heat and light and the users o. tcle-
phones are paying excessive rates
for those commodities and are not sat.
isfied to Continue paying what they be
lieve to be cSorbitant rates and they
demand Some sort Of relief.
This board has the power to fix
maximum rate, that may be charged
consumers Of public utilities, and it
is the duty Of board to fix such rate
as the board may find to be reason.
able. The Consumers Power Com.
pany Is working under franchise or
license to use the streets and alleys
Of the city for which the city receives
no remuneration and It is the duty
Of this corporation to FURNISH the
epople these commodities at just and
Reasonable rate, reservjng to itself
only q reasonable profit or reasonable
return upon its investment.
II reasonable rates cannot be had
thru the fixing of the same by this
board. that is II the Consumers Power
Co. viii not meet the rate 50 fixed
without first resorting to the courts,
then believe that We should not no
cesasrily follow It into the court, but |
give the people an immediate oppor.
tunity to decide by ballot as to
whether or not they desire TO erect
and maintain a municipal plant. l /
personally favor municipal ownership
of all public utilities and am opposed
to the granting Of franchises to cor.
porations or individuals.
We all agree that the streets and
alleys should be kept clean and that
all ordinances against the throwing Or
paper or other litter and rubbish in
the streets be strictly enforced Clean
streets. alleys and public grounds are
not only necessary from sanitary view
point, but tends to the identifying OF
the city, reduction Of rates of fire in.
surance, and is conducive to the hap.
piness and content Of the people and
it is an admitted fact that cleanliness
decreases mortality. We will expect
the cooperation Of the citizens. III our
undertaking to keep clean the streets
Of the city.
l am certain that it is the desire OF
this board 10 keep taxes ct the min
imum. To do this we must be econ
omical and careful as to expenditures
and endeavor to manage every depart.
ment Of the city strictly in accordance
with up-to-date business method.
!