The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-06
MAYOR TO
ENFORCE
THE Law
Also Announces Policy On
TaXation-Sees Need of
Special Election

Mayor Melvey, of Moorhead, in his
address to the city council last even
ing, set forth his opinions on several
important problems with which the
administration has to deal. declaring
himself strongly for the enforcement
of laws, for an increased tax levy. and
for policy of payment by the city
at large Of the cost Of paving street
intersections.
In part, the mayor said:
From my experience I find that
there is a tendency Of the members Of
the various committees to shift re-
sponsibilities, and at this time / par
ticularly wish to state that / shall
hold the chairmen Of the various COM
mittees responsible for the matters
which are left for the attention Of
that particular committee. and I shall
| expect, and l know the people expect,
that these duties should be performed
promptly and intelligently, and that
the reports should be made without
delay and with a thorough investiga-
ton.
You men are elected from separate
wards, you are expected to represent
your wards and keep the council in
touch with the needs of your parti-
cular district, but 1 wish to caution
you not to lose sight of the fact that
you are equally interested in the af-
fairs of the city at large.
| For Law Enforcement
II want to go on record as stand
ing for the strict enforcement of the
laws as they are found in the ordin-
ances and upon the statute books of
officers that are appointed by me shall
fulfill their duties and assist in the
enforcement of the law regardless Of
| who may be the violator. shall also
expect the assistance of the members
of the city council as we'll as the
citizens Of the city Of Moorhead in
seeing that they are enforced.
Il shall expect that the policy OF
this administration shall be an econ
| omical one and that every member OF
this council shall make it his duty to
see that the expenses OF the city are
curbed to a minimum, and that 1t
shall not be the tendency OF this
council to involve the city in needless
debt or obligations.
During the coming year 1t is ex-
pected that a number Of permanent
improvements are to be made in this
city, and believe an honest endeavor
should be made to see that the prop
erty holders receive absolute value for
the monies expended.
Crossing Costs.
when we come to the question OF
the assessment of the paving interscc-
tions, believe that it should be the
policy Of the commissioners to assess
the crossings against the city at
large. During past years the cost or
concrete crossings has been paid out
of the permanent improvement fund,
and can see no just reason why these
crossings, though paved. should not
also be paid out Of this fund. BY TAX
ing this action it will reduce the cost
of the intersections against the
property holders, and should be a
further inducement for the people OF
this city to ask for paving improve
ments.
Sees Special Election Need.
ct am of the opinion that during
the coming year it will be necessary
to hold a special election for the pur-
pose of increasing the general fund
levy from 10 mills, as it now is. to 10
mills. In making this statement, l do
not wish to be understood that ] stand
for an unnecessary increase in taxa
ton, but that this suggestion is made
in view Of the fact that under our
present charter the general fund tax
levy will be reduced to mills in the
year Of 1918. A 5-mill tax for the gen.
eral fund will not be- sufficient to pay
the current expenses of the most
economical administration"
increasing the TAX levy LOT Inc
general fund does not mean an addi-
tional increase in taxation because of
the fact that the city's valuation can
be lowered. The county and state re-
ceive the benefit from a high valua-
ton, but where tax is levied for
local purposes, such as the general
fund, it will not affect or increase the
amount received by the county and
state.
"A 15-mill tax for the general fund
will enable us to pay the salary OF
the city physician out Of said fund
and will also permit us to reduce our
floating Indebtedness with the water
and light plant.
'If the city physicians salary is
paid out of the general fund, then
there will be left sufficient monies in
the poor fund to take care OF the poor
of this city. During past years we
have had a deficit in the poor fund or
about 500. This has handicapped the
poor committee, and in many tnstan-
ces has left the city in position
where 1t could not assist the poor and
needy when such assistance was nee
essary.
"I shall be pleased to have the MEM
bers of this council, or the citizens of
Moorhead, confer with me at all times
upon matters relative to the city's in
terest, and assure you that shall
make an effort to promote such meas
ures as / feel are to the interest or
this city and which will tend to up
build and promote its general welfare"
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