The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1917-11-10

SUPERIOR, Nov. 9.-(Special
to the Rip-saw)-An active move
ment is under way to bring about
a change in the form Of govern
ment for Superior.
For some time, now, petitions
have been in circulation which,
when presented, will compel the
city commissioners to call a spe-
cial election to vote on the matter.
Enough names already have
been secured, % per cent Of the
legal voters, but it is proposed to
continue the drive for signers, it
being desired to get strong
moral effect from heavily signed
petition.
Those behind the undertaking
have rather expected that the spe-
cial election would be held at the
same time as special election for
United States senator, but Gov.
Phillips delay in calling such an
election puts the local people
somewhat up in the air.
Superior now has the commits
sion form of government. There
are three commissioners, includ-
ing mayor Konkel. His associates
are Charles O'Hare and Fred
TomlinsOn.
Efforts to eliminate mayor
Konkel by means of the recall
have resulted in his favor. Many
consider him the least undesirable
of the three. Commissioner O Hare
has personality, pull and an
ability that has kept him at the
apex of political power for many
years. Commissioner Tomlinson
is not considered his equal, as
politician who gets and retains
the plums, but he has proved no
SLOUGH. If two of the three can
be eliminated and replaced by men
with higher ideals and different
affiliations, many Superiorites
will feel that progress has been
made for better and cleaner days.
While no serious fault is found
with the commission form of gov
eminent, many high minded Su-
periorites are convinced that the
only way those in power can be
eliminated is by change in the
form of government. It is pro-
posed. therefore, to 60 back to a
modified ward system, under
which there will be a mayor, with
wings well clipped as to powers
in several ways, and an alderman,
each, from ten wards,
Sectional interests, rivalry, am
billions and even selfishness are
expected to accomplish what has
been impossible, to date, under a
central, compact system of munich
pal machinery.
Vets and drys, tolerant and in
tolerant, high and low, rich and
poor are working shoulder to
shoulder to bring about the
change. 1t is stated, in fact, that
the movement started with the in
telligent working class but is sup
ported by some of the most prom
inent men in town, socially, fl
nancially or politically. =
Mayor Konkel is not particular
ly pleased with the movement but
he shows the utmost contempt for
it. He declares that no matter
what system of government is
adopted, he will continue to serve
the city as mayor. He evidently
considers himself invincible.
The Dry people had a meeting
short time ago to discuss condi-
tons and even ways and means
for lettering them. Mayor Kon-
KEEL boldly attended the meeting.
At the close, he arose, told those
present that he did not give a
damn what form of government
the city had or what the people
might do, as he would continue
to be mayor of Superior.
# special election is called, as
must be done on the demand of a
sufficient number Of petitioners,
the election of. officials will not
come off until the regular munich
pal election next spring. There is
time for much water to pass over
the dam between now and then.
The present outlook is that the
Dry tendency is increasing and
crystalizing. Many Of the better
element have become SO greatly
disguised that they will work
harder than before. Some of the
wide-open people have grievances
and are out for revenge. Then,