Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1913-04-25

Atonement for the first sin was
made in the gleeful manner at the
meeting of the city commission held
last evening. Blunder No. l, which
was so noticeable when pointed out
by The World, was rectifed and the
"three-in-one" amalgamation went on
its way rejoicing.
1t was q neat little resolution COM
piled in few words and passed over
hurriedly SO that it could be easily
missed in the shuttle, thus the tax
payers would never know that mis-.
take had been made at the start and
that changes were necessary. Com.
missioner Flynn introduced the new
resolution in twenty-six words which
provided that the commissioner Of fin.
ance was to look after the faithful
amalgamated and see that the books
jibed. and that the accounts of the
treasurer. ct al were correct.
In other words the resolution pro.
vided just about what might be tx
pected of the commissioner Of finance
had it never been introduced. It was
little scheme % continue the econ
omical berth, but it provides no fur
ther check, such as treasurer and q
city auditor should have on one
another
Accountant Talks.
The expert accountant hired by the
commission to audit the books AMI pro.
vide system, felt called upon to say
something and suggested that the city
auditor, ct al, work with the county
auditor as much as possible, in order
to provide some sort Of check. The &C
countant probably realized that since
there was no check on city affairs.
the county might be depended upon to
relieve the situation to some extent.
The question is whether, realizing
their first blunder, the commission has
made any remedy in the intro
duction of the new resolutioni Most
Of the taxpayers believe that some.
thing should be done before the thing
goes too far. They believe that since
two Offices were created, one a check
upon the other, it is not the part OF
wisdom to think that either one is un'
necessary.
The intent OF the commission law
is plain in designating two separate
Offices, and the taxpayers believe that
before the city commission goes any
farther with the funny work and puts
the city in a financial middle remedy
should be provided for situation
which has become a bull-headed farce
Before going further this puzzle must
be solved. If it would take an ex
pert accountant thirty days tt
check over an account which
can be compared, city auditor will
city treasurer, the books of two dis
tiRet Offices being at hand how Ions
will. il take the same accountant work
iing:at a salary of $40 per day, to aud
# the books kept by one man and ha
man a "three-in.one" amalgamation
Worked for Month.
There is no need of going MT
further details now, as the commission
will soon run into the snag, although
probably not before the first fat checl
is received by the new city auditor
city treasurer, ct al, the time bein
about ripe for salary money for thi
particular Office, which evidently wa
amalgamated to provide downy bert
year g rest with recompense. for on
of the faithful.
The slippery resolution which wen
through like whirlwind in Violate
Of the speed ordinance, was not O.
that the commission had up thei
sleeve last evening and while the issue
were not carried out exactly as al
ranged in the "kitchen cabinet'' Sc!
sion, there was only one or two mil
haps in President Johnson's class q
beginners, which took up "readin
writin' and rithmetic.'
Old Lessons First.
Before opening the class in reg
earnest, President johnson took up tn
lessons Of week ago and each Of tn
commissioners spoke his little piec'
There was no need of hydrant o
Arnold avenue for fire protection.
Joseph Wickert was allowed to NOV
his barber shop into the street Will
building, providing sufficient DANCE
lights were installed. The hydrar
at the corner Of harrington avenue an
Fourth street was referred to tn
street commissioner. Action on tn
dumping grounds matter in the sout