The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-04-24
full growth Of the capital city. but
these sntice to show the wonderful

S0S
these sntice to show the wonderful
strides.
How has all this affected the tax
payer? 0,
In 1918 the total tax levy was $55,.
437; In 1914. 1t WAS $5S,222: in 1915, it
was $50. lao. and in 1916. .$5S.3l5. The
whole tax rate has been reduced from
1874 mills in 1914. to Il, mills in 1916.
while the increase in the total as.
sessed valuation during these two
years was very slight. Our largest
single tax item now is 25.2 mills for
state and county purposes. and 2l.7
mills go to the support of u public
schools.
The state tax commissions report
for 1916 shows the following interest
ing comparisons Of city tax rates in
North Dakota for 1915 which for pur::
poses OF comparison holds good now:
Bismarck ...25.7 Devils Lake. .27.6
Fargo .......29.l. Min0t ..... .29.9
Mandan ....3l.2 Wahpeton 1865
Dickinson ...29.4 Cakes ......3 6.l
In this connection it is interesting
to note that Fargo Is assessed nearly
forty, per cent of its actual valuation
while Bismarck's. rate is not more
than % per cent. .,.
TIE clTY's CREDIT.
The city has met every bill as 1t
fell due. Its credit has been above
reproach at all times. More than
$4,000 future.due bonds have been
paid in advance Of maturity during
the last two years, saving a consider.
able item Of interest. The city's sur
plus money has been on time deposit
in local banks drawing interest.
We have had new expenses to meet.
A! law of 1915 made it necessary for
Bismarck TO bear one.fOurth OF the Ok.
penses OF caring for the county's poor.
an added burden Of $4,000. The city
detention hospital has been remodel.
ed and q permanent home erected for
the city weigher out Of the current
funds, still leaving a balance. Wages
of city employees have been increased
to meet 1.-The advances in the cost of
living. All these increases have been
cared for by a wise administration Of
our fiscal affairs.
SEWER coNNEc
All outhouses in the sewer district
should be eliminated and connections
made with the city sewer. system as
soon as possible. ,. -..
GARBAGE COLLECTION.
The plan for regular collection and
disposal Of garbage is q wise move
and should be i~naugurated as DON as
feasible. This has been necessary for
some time and will add to the general
sanitary improvement Of the city.
PAVING PROJECTS.
One OF tho chief issues that infu.
enced me to be o candidate for presi-
dent OF the commission was the paw
ing. Like my colleagues who enter
upon new terms this evening. l de-
sired to assist in finishing a job be-
gun last summer.
Work is nov being completed in
district No. l, which marks
initial effort toward perm
anent street Improvement. Every
thing in connection with this work has
been handled methodically and in a
business like manner. Unusually fav-
0rable bids yer received at a time
when labor and material were high.
and the lowest bidder was awarded
the contract. Ninety thousand dollars
worth of bonds, which is the extent of
the issue found necessary to cover
this district, the Northern Pacific rail-
way company intending TO pay its
portion in cash. were sold at 6 per
cent and a substantial premium.
reduces the interest rate for
the entire 20-year period to 5.S5 per
cent-as favorable as has been pro.
cured by any other city in the north
west. This speaks we'll for the credit
Of Bismarck. ..
l believe / can safely say that the
moral tone Of Bismarck has never
been better. City police officers have
co-operated with the county and city
attorneys in suppressing illicit traffic
intoxicating liquors, and Bismarck
is freer from this than 1t has been in
q number Of years. =
The time Is coming when Bismarck
will have to have q definite City Plan.
P4OpOAIy NAuSI o v "SANC 80
time for park and other public pur-
poses. ... g.. ILL.,.
ROAD 70 THE RIVER.
Through a recent act Of the commits.
sion we are to have a real road to the
replacing the present made
quate avenue of communication. The
new road not only will be a convent.
ence to thousands Of our people who
have occasion to cross the river. but
will win the gratitude of the hundreds
Of touring parties who every year ira
verse the Red Trail. We trust in
time Bismarck may be in a position to
DO its part to span the Missouri with
a substantial wagon bridge, linking
the sister cities Of the slope. For the
present we are assured an adequate
ferry service at q reasonable rate and
under municipal control.
We are facing a national crisis. The
war imposes fresh obligations and
calls for new and unusual sacrifices.
This imposes a great responsibility
upon MS az. the heads OF the city gov
eminent. l urge every citizen the me-
for greater cooperation, great
Or team work and more vigorous poll
cies for the commercial and social
welfare Of Bismarck.
"A. ". LUCAS.
President City Commission.