The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1914-12-26
MORE ABOUT
CITYS FINANCES
ELECTORS SHOULD GIVE CONDITION
FAIR CONSIDERATION
FURNISHING DEAL EXPLAINED
Statement Issued Shows That The
City Hall Cost $50, 1000 and
S50,0O0 Are Owing

On next Monday the voters of this
city will be called upon to vote on a
proposition to bond this city for
$40. 600
The reasons TOR this new issue are
that we started in TO build hall for
$40, 600 and spent $50 600 on it. The
money to make up this deficiency was
taken from other funds, the sewer,
the general fund. etc. etc.
As nearly as we can ascertain there
is owing by the city today in unpaid
warrants about soc, 900 OF this
amount the bank holds $95, 600 and
there is another SEQ 600 in the hands
of individuals. some having turned
them to local merchants 10 get food
and other necessities Of life.
The question each voter must settle
for himself is "Shall pay my debt,
or shall refuse 10 pay themr', A
debt against this city is just as much
debt against the individual tax
PAYERS as any personal bill contracted.
Manv say that they will not vote for
the bonds Some because they think
IL q wise political move for their own
ends Not one Of them can say that
the debts were not contracted in good
faith or that they will not have to be
paid for In the end. Many say that
the council was extravagant i'm
furnishing the nall. They point to
the piano in the assembly room.
Others don't like the truck. But,
these items nave bsen contracted tor
and. extravagant though they may be,
they must be paid If not in bonds
through court judgment.
We pointed out last week that the
sensible thing is TO pay these bills and
then take steps TO see that no more
bills are contracted. To do anything
else is Cutting Oft ones nose TO spite
Que face. >
IL has been said to us, "You had
lot TO cay about the FaullSaneau
contract but now you haven't any
criticisms for the council Such
might appear upon its surface to he
the case. that we were unjust in the
first case and active to secrete In the
second. Well, let's sea if this oharg
has basis in fact
We don't want TO 20 into detail in
- 4.
ancient history but the facts are that
we didn't know what was being done
by the Falkenaus until they bad Deen
on the Job several months and when
we discovered that they were rubbing
IL into the city we exposed u and
continued 10 do so That's all
In this case there was nothing TO
expose unless. as some claim, The
letting OF the contract for furnishings
should have been aired The facts are
that we knew as little about the
furnishing as any of those who are
kicking During the past two weeks
wa have made some investigation and
find that Mr. Henry made propo
sition to the council 10 furnish the
oIty hall throughout OF cost and 10 per
cent. meaning that ne would be allowed
over the cost price of this stuff l0per
ent commission for his work Of
installing and paying the freight.
The total amount paid Mr. Henry
was sic G93 40.
In his furnishings was included
every article Of furniture. rugs. desks.
railings court room. Offices and
auditorium and In addition the asbestos
curtain and tho scenery for the stage
In the auditorium. La this amount
of furnishings was included the piano
IN the auditorium
We are not mp on the cost OF
furnishings but, judging from the
price paid 10y the county for the
re.furnishiug Of the court room. tnis
price is not exorbituat. Mr.. Henry's
commission Of 10 per cent Is not AZ
all unreasonable We think u inst
and fair. The only question in this
deal is whether the ,tuf put ia was
necessary or not and IL IL is better
than the occasion required About
the only objection raised is against
the piano We think ourselves that
the piano IS not the best type for the
place
As we get it the committee on
furnishing the hall Was sam RoGback,
Tom Pelglase and bonis Miesler