The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-18

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half of the city should be gone over
carefully before being executed to see
that the city's interests are carefully
protected and also to see that the
terms and conditions of the contracts
are clearly set forth and understood.
Then when the contracts are let we
should see to 1t that they are fully per-
formed and that the city gets full val
ue for every dollar expended
Our engineering department, hav-
ing to do with the carrying out OF
thousands OF dollars worth of work, is
ences cost money and we must expect
that the taxes will be higher on this
account. However, since we are able
to procure money at such low rates
the cost is not nearly as great as it
would otherwise be. While believe
we should proceed slowly and with
caution in the making of such i'm
provements, yet since the taxpayers
are the ones who have the say Of when
such improvements shall be made and
perhaps our most important depart
ment. We should retain our present
efficient engineer and stand behind
him in his work of seeing that all
contracts are FULFILLED. ..
Appointment Recommendation.
''The state law (section 1901 c. L.
1879 makes it the duty of the entire
commission to pass upon the appoint
ment Of all officers, and / believe this
law should be followed and all ap-
pointments made by the full board.
Public Service Rates.
During the campaign which has
just closed, took the position that the
question Of municipal ownership ought
not to be made an issue in the cam
paign; that an effort should first be
made by negotiations with the COM
panies interested to secure a fair and
equitable reduction and adjustment of
rates and service. and If this was not
possible that We should then be in a
position to take up the consideration
Of municipal ownership. However,
this question was made practically the
sole issue In the campaign so far as
the election of president Of the COM
mission was concerned. The result of
the election demonstrates that the
great majority Of the voters do not
believe that the time has yet arrived
for consideration of the question of
municipal ownership but on the con-
trary that this commission should
make an effort to secure a fair and
equitable reduction of rates and also
a betterment of service. ! believe this
matter should be taken up for con-
sideration by this commission at a
very early date.
Urges CO. operation.
ST believe that we should have the
greatest possible cooperation between
the various departments. This will
produce greater economy and efficieR-
cy. The judgment and counsel Of five
men is naturally better than that Of
one man. II all important matters
arising in the various departments are
brought up for discussion and decision
by the whole commission, must BET
ter results will be obtained.
Wants Publicity.
Finally, let me say that publicity
should be given to all city business.
The citizens generally should be en-
couraged to take q greater interest in
civic affairs and to express themselves
upon matters coming up before this
commission.
The law now provides a simple
method for a referendum upon all or
dinances, and all important matters
for which there is sufficient demand
for a referendum upon, can be sub
mitted to a vote Of the people.
During the next few years we will
have important matters vitality af-
fecting the interest of the city, coming
before us. Let us endeavor to work
together and for the
best interests Of the city,"