The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-12-19
Fargo, N. D.

and the City's money spent to the best
advantage for all the people
AS Il result of that experience hun
dreds of cities throughout the United
States have voted for what is known as
commission form of government"
These differ according to the different
charters enacted by the different states.
Some cities have been greatly disap-
pointed in their change as they could
see no benefit in the new form of gov
ernment; some have become diSguSted
and returned to the old form of gov
ernment, but in most instances the peo-
pie have been pleased with the change
and better results have been attained.
l have made a great many inquiriea
! from different cities and am convinced
that the main reason that people are so
we'll pleased with the commission form
of government, can be accounted for by
the old adage, "A new broom sweeps
Iclean."
Most of the cities were like Calves
ton. They saw that something had to
be done, and the wave Of making a
change put in to the control of the city
some Of their best men. History repeats
itself. The wave of change in govern
ment comes and goes. and experience
proves that it is a mistake to make q
complete change in city officials at one
time. The exceptions prove the rule.
Under our present charter. three COM
missioners are to be elected at one
election, which is majority of the
board.
In April, 1918. when the new board
icame into existence, the city finances
were in deplorable condition. Special
assessment warrants to the amount of
something like $4,000 had been de-
faulted-interest not paid on some of
them for two years; $4,000 Of water
works warrants issued against blue sky
drawing interest; warrants against the
general fund had been registered and
tWere drawing interest; sinking fund
not adequate to care for an issue of
| $4,000 bonds which was almost due.
Since that time all Of this outstanding
paper has either been paid or refunded
at lower rate OF interest. The city
has not paid one cent of interest on
currency warrants since that time. All
bonded interest has been paid promptly
and the necessary funds to meet future
bonds, known as a sinking fund, have
been provided, and il this method is
continued, as it ought to be, according
to law, inside Of another five years the
city of Fargo win have sinking fund
greater than the capital of any bank
in the state, barring three. 1t must be
apparent to all that the spending of
| this sinking fund would be tempta-
L
strike this city.
| Not many years ago. the Honorable
- was elected mayor of the city
on the basis Of an economical gov
ernment, and he was supported by the
best men of our city. Lower taxes was
the cry at that time. Should that wave
| strike our city. again as it undoubt-
edly will, the temptation would be
not to levy for sinking fund and to
switch the accounts and use the sink
| ing fund in order that the people
might have what they asked for-low-
er taxes.
The law intends that all funds shall
/ be kept separate and that the board
will make the necessary levies in
each yearly budget to provide the
necessary funds to pay future obliga-
| tions but / know of no law that will
compel the city administration to car
ry out that program providing they
| are not inclined unless they are con-
stantly enjcined by private citizens.
| My experience and observation both is
that the private citizens are not
posted in the details of city affairs.
This is not strange, as it is con-
stant study for a city official to be
posted on all the affairs of the city
! much less a private citizen who has