River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1914-04-30
UNITE FOR CITY BETTERMENT
By W. P. Knowles

Ii is the duty of this organization
to guide or supervise the moral,
legal and financial operations of
this municipality as a whole. In
the supervision of morals their
position is oftimes misunderstood
and therefore subject to much IN
just criticism. 1t is not the duty
OF the Councilman to play detect
i've nor to act as policeman except
in certain cases. The police force
is for that purpose, is ansWerable
in that line to the Council and at
present faithful in the disscharg
of duty.
This phase of the city govern
ment is one that seems to be the
prominent mark for the slurs Of
unthinking, harping critics. Ev-
eryone should have at heart the
moral welfare of their city. Gen
orally the people of River Falls
carry out this idea in the right
manner, and for this reason the
city has gained the reputation Of
being one of the best governed
municipalities in the Northwest.
But still there are a few who,
without any study of the situa-
ton, continuously rail against the
"poWers that be" as inefficient in
the matter of maintaining orderly
- T1@osn on++An dnnc
harm in a way, though it is shall
low. They claim to have witness
ed this, that and the other viola
ton of law. But they make
these claims direct to anyone e
sponsible for the correction of
these evils, nor do they even come
out in open accusation.
A worthy citizen, with civic and
personal pride, will seek the most
direct and efficient methods in the
correction Of whatever existing
evils he may discover. He will not
whisper it about asHgossip," nor
condemn others for ~neglecting to
do what he himself should do, but
dare not.
I would like to see this practice
entirely eliminated. There is o
thing honorable nor helpful about
it and it reflects discredit upon
the city as a whole. Complaint
made to the proper authorities
will receive proper attention.
In legal matters the City Council
must guide it's business transac-
tons in such a manner as to keep
the city from legal entanglements,
in it's contracts, ordinances, etc.,
and much care and forethought
must be exercised in this respect.
The financial side of the Council
work is also quite a problem.
There are many who claim that
more should be done in the matter
of street Improvement, etc., and,
without looking into the POSSIBLE
ties of the case, criticise the Coun-
eli for not making larger expend-
itures for such purposes. The
Council has a certain amount of
money to use and they try to
make it go as far as possible in
the work that must be done. AS
the fund increases more can be ac-
complished, but the idea of rush
ing blindly into paving contracts,
etc., without the "where-with-alI"
to finance them is hardly feas-
able, and their refusal to do so
should be commended rather than
adversely criticised.
The probable amount available
for general purposes this year,
without a bond issue, is SIS, ZOO. 90.
This covers street work, electric
light and water expense, salaries
and all general expenses, and,
Judging the present Council by the
last, it will be glad of suggestions
as to the proper expenditure of
the same.
The Mayor and Aldermen do not
receive sufficient salary to war
rant their spending a large amount
of time in the discharge of their
duties and cooperation by the
citizens would be productive of
much good. Citizens should take
pains to inform themselves on V
cry phase of the city government,
and a years service on the Coun-
Gil would prove an educational adj
vantage to any of our citizens.
No one need be afraid to honest
ly criticise the Council-beard them
in their den-lay the grievance or
suggestion before them and there
will always be a respectful hear
ing.
This article is inspired by a
wholesome interest in the welfare
of our city and a desire to make