Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-20
WARM ARGUMENTS
ARE ANTICIPATED
BY THE OFFICIALS
City Attorney Bangs Pre-.
pares Synopsis Of Con-
tracts to be Signed.

Tonight, an adjourned session of
the Grand Forks city council will be
held at the city hall when the or
dinance granting the Red River Pow
er company the contract to furnish
energy for the operation of the mu-
nicipality lighting and pumping plant
will be brought up for the second
reading.
1t is reported that petitions have
been distributed by factions opposing
the power company proposal and in
dications are that much pressure will
be brought to bear tonight to defeat
the ordinance. The city administra-
ton requests that every person who
afixes a signature to a petition, be in
attendance at the meeting tonight.
It has been proven that the ma
Jortty of those opposing h proposal
are not familiar with the conditions
surrounding the contract. while 9TH
ers are merely attempting to make
the proposition "a political issue. Ac-
cording to members of the council, it
is the desire of the aldermen to have
all sides of the case clearly present.
ed in order that no error be made.
At previous meetings. the lame rgu
ments presented in opposition were
not sufficient to offset the facts given
by the taxpayers who We're in favor
of the passage of the ordinance.
Mayor Dinnie has issued a special
invitation, to every taxpayer to be in
attendance at the council meeting,
and will encourage every person pres
ent to state he'll views. At the last
session Of the city council those who
were in opposition to the ordinance
left the chambers before the vote was
taken, when the real argument en-.
sued. and the aldermen voting in the
negative were unable to defend their
vote. AS the proposal will be finally
threshed out tonight, warm argu-
ments are anticipated. If the or
dinance is voted down tonight, the
matter will be dropped and the plant
will continue to be operated under
the present system.
A synopsis of the contracts covering
Sthe engagement of the power tcom-
pany. as prepared by City Attorney
George A. Bangs. follows:
Rental and Purchase of Machinery.
This contract provides:
That the Power company will in
stall the necessary machinery being
5 pumps with motor, meters, ETC., ac-
cording to the specifications approx.
ed by Dean Crouch and attached to
the contract, the title thereto to re-
main in the Power company, unless
transferred to the city as provided in
the contract.
That the city will pay as rental for
the use of the machinery a sum equal
to 20 per cent of the amount to be
paid by the city for electricity to OPP
crate the pumps and light the streets,
such payments to be made on or be-
fore the 18th day of each month and
based on the bills Of the preceding
month.
II, and when, such rental shall
equal the actual cost of installing the
machinery plus ten per cent 5000
for overhead charges, ETC., then,
without further action by either Of
the parties, the title to the. machinery
passes directly to the city.
In no event shall the machinery
cost more than $16,400. without in
terest; no interest shall be charged
thereon.
The city may examine the vouch-
ers for the machinery and for all
monies expended in connection there
with so as to determine the amount
necessary to be paid to acquire title if
1t desires to acquire such title.