The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1917-03-24

l. friendly Colleagues have Failed TO D1scfedt
!, Patriotic Pioneer. a y X\2>}|1|
Although Leondas Merritt failed please Of the
chronic kckers in this city during his four years of the
city hail. he had fully satisfied great majority the
people 49, - =.
There strong feeling among the city that
they will lose their best friend Merritt reres from
They deeply that private and pny
for second term Had he done so there every tna
he would been reelected by great majority.
taking office of commissioner Mr. Merritt promised I'M
selfish and honorable service to the people he tnas ne
stood the weak against the strong that
plant neffcency and favoritsm
Perhaps Mr. Merritt has made mistakes If they have been
head he has had obstacles
his Had of his colleagues been jealous help MN
they Ana HAD s en seo
sdean and support that commissioner should give anothe
his would have been much greater.
Despite petty politics. abuse charges of being AN old fogy
and opposition of some Of the Big the people as wno
tee that has a 41 aye no o
resented Mr. Merr treatment because they have
print bwed around the booze bars shouted his
troubles from the housetops
Today Mr. personal friends fear that his life has been
materially shortened by his Of
the past four is sick man and does not as rapidly
in Duuths municipal history but if it should so happen
How die better than facing fearful ODDS
What better tribute could mortal
loved his city and his owmen that he his life for them
Let review of the benefits to the public that
Leonidas Merritt secured while commissioner OF public utilities
place. Merritt stood faty and firmly his
pledges adhere the policy Of municipal ownership
public control the sale Of liquor the city His e
forts improve and light service ample proof of
promise his firm refusal for the renewal Of
saloon license after the people had spoken ample fument
Of the second promise
Mr. Merritt consistently refused sell city property When
sd his and protest. invariably did
all his power the best possible price for the owners
the people of the CITY, g.
of armory Mr. Merritt stood alone and
the other The sale not popular act
and passes people unprof
able for the city Mr. Merritt made proposition by which the city
adapted enjoy profitable by the
water and light department Today people wondering
why the commissioners prefer large rentals parties
rather than to retain ownership property and in
the city has central market place and the people looking
wonder the proposed for storage facilities mun
pal TOOLS machinery and equipment of various kinds.
the sell city property
South street. Mr. Merritt made mortal by the
had been very quietly observed order help favored
buyer The property asset Of the water and light department
with certified check from another purchaser which resulted
additional 600 being for the property Fierce resentment
rs efforts Hidden Hand was pred loose and there was much
growing and crashing of teeth -~ r..
than today Many reforms and made yet
the operating are no higher than five years That looks
One Of the first and important things done
and light the the water
c establishment Of Best Of ALL the large
denied preference rates small This change
intense excitement strongly opposed by the heavy
They cried all kinds of calamity and the members
old light and board predicted injury
to the cause OF municipal ownership would follow. =
Through all the tempest and turmoil Mr. Merritt stood firmly
have formerly favored class
have been carried out
Another successful and popular permit
ting water and light bills to be paid local cene thereby avoid
delays croding and at the central office
The business Of the department brought
the patrons.
Of continuous readings proved most satisfactory
and practical distribution Of work possible than under the old
system of monthly readings. {.
The abolition of the old system guarantees for water main
extensions and the substitution of the AUDITING
property improvement received satisfaction by
the actual home satisfactory method payment
term of also made the burden light possible
This change compelled the land Spectator
to share Of the of Hidden