The Nome daily nugget., 1916-08-02
NOME, ALASKA, AUGUST 2, 1916.

apparent that there is a most re- lnarkable absence of business method ln the handling of many of the most important matters coming before the body and requiring, it would seem, It's most earnest and undivided attention In fact il appears from the outstand- ing evidences that, in some cases, the council totally disregards anything approXimating businesslike procedure Wlth all due respect 10 the council as individuals, it must be said, and reiterated if necessary, that, as d par lamentary body, it has so far dis Unguished itself in no way so much as by a most remarkable display of Naoillatng qualities in dealing with the most vital public matters.
 \ more glaling example of complete failure to observe even the most ele- mentary rules of business procedure could hardly be furnished than has been displayed hy the council in the handling Of the water question. Other examples of failure to comply with ordinary business rules may also be cited, notably the mess in which the city is involved over the auditors htll We might also mention a most lamentable lack of business capacity displayed in the handling of other matters, but il is neither the intention or desire 10 attempt to indict the council for all of it's faults. We do not believe in finding fault with every ation to jump onto every little irreg- ularity which may develop.
 The pumping matter, is, however. one that is of too singular importance to be overlooked. Also 1t is the most prominent of the councilmanic fiasco's and in addition is one that is very =at'tai tha=in. .a"Asis of tho mum lty. The matter of furnishing an adequate supply of water for fire protection is by all odds the most jm-
 
 portant with which the council has had to deal during it's term of office. It has been discussing and consider Ing the matter for months and should be thoroughly familiar with every phase and feature of the question of making proper provisions long ago. Every detail of the needs and pos abilities should long ere this have been absorbed and digested. After studying on the matter for months the council should have been fully satisfied as to the feasibility or flu tility of attempting to establish a mn. hlclpal plant or of the necessity for providing other means of securing the necessary water. There has been enough deliberating and discussing to have solved the most profound prob lems of the universe Every feature of the water question should have been perfectly familiar to the coun- eilmen long before the expiration of the contract with the power company. let we iind that when the contract is practically terminated, at the very eleventh hour of it's existence. that they had neither definite idea con- corning the proposed municipal plant nor an understanding with the con- eern on which the city must depend LOT US water supply in lieu of a pumping establishment of it's own. With the termination of the old con tract we find that there is neither agreement. or understanding, either on the part of the council or the DOW CT company and absolutely not ono provision of a binding nature for the safeguarding of the property and pos- slbly the lives of the citizens of the community. In the dying moments of the old contract the council is com- pelled ) argue and hem and haw about what shall be done ab,,l;, tho most V "l matter that is placed un- der it's Jurisdiction and control. We hnd also that after the pumping con- tract is terminated that the city is dependent solely on the courtesy of Inc power company for whatever ade- | quate fire protection is provided while the council is making up it's mind l what It wants to do. And this after | weeks and months of consideration of | what is by all odds the most vital of | all matters affecting the security and | welfare Of the community. In the | midst of all it's palavering, it's star | chamber and back door meetings concerning the pumping plant, which there was little hope and much less prospect of establishing, save in the event of congressional assistance. the council did not take even the ordi- nary business precautions necessary