Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-04-27

has not been run and the plant has not
yet been accepted.
The operatton OF the former Ultra
ton plant had caused incrustations or
and water pipes. which incrpstations
are being gradually removed by the op-
Grafton Of the present plant. and until
Sneh rem 1emoy nl the full benefits Of the
sufficient now to say that the water is
absolutely pure and much softer than
formerly, and that 1t will gradually im-
prove until our people have an ideal
water for domestic use and consump-
ton.
Great credit is due to the city en-
plant. as we'll as the water works COM
mittee. who have unstintedlS given their
We ought also to express our ppre-
their splendid work in this department.
And in this connection reference
should he made to the contract entered
into last September with the local power
company. by which the city has elm
mated a very considerable portion ofthe
expense of operation of the water works.
Indeed the contract has been of an
omy which is permitted. for ! doubt If
f, fuel could have been procured TO onerate
the plant during the winter with our
" boilers: at any rate, as a war meas
ure alone. the contract has been more
than justified by the saving of coal.
Bridges.
The bridges across the Red river are
connecting links between the counties
of Grand Forks and Polk and etwee
the states of North Dakota and Mime
sofa: they are necessary and essential
portions Of interstate highways. and it
is most unjust that the city of Grand
Forks should lear the burdens of their
upkeep and maintenance.
1t is about 30 years since these bridE-
es were constructed. and they must
very soon be replaced: 1t was necessary
to close the Minnesota Point bridge for
and the repairs made thereto are merely
temporary.
The city Of East Grand Forks. the
county of Polk and the state of Minne-
ward the repairing of these bridges. and
in default thereof it is quite possible
that serious thought should be given as
to whether or not We ought to con-
struct one or more toll bridges.
Fire Department..
This is one Of the most important de-
partments of the city ard is in most
excellent condition: the recent purchase
brought its equipment up to the highest
standard: the officers and members Of
the department. are fearless and active,
ment has been most efficient.
Health Department.
The health of the city has been excel
lent. and this has been due in no small
degree to the service rendered by the
Mrs. z. A.. Spra que. who have %intelli-
gently and faithfully, enforced the
: health laws and ordinances within the
city: the duties laid upon the board of
patience. fidelity and persistence.
I can illustrate the Importance of
these duties no better than by calling
: tho enactment and enforcement of Tho
milk and cream ordinances the infant
mort III - >, Vas ner very cry, ~ hi eh;,d ayeragsns
6 months: while today. after a period
of but a few years, the mortality in the
same class has been reduced to not to
exceed 4 per cent.
Telephone Systems.
1n.my message a year g I called at
ice given by the two telephone exchang-
es in this city and resulting largely
from the duplication Of service with its
increased expense and annoyance.
a special. committee to consider this
question was created by the council con-
sisting of five members, three OF whom
were a1dermen; this eom NJ ss has civ.
problems presented to it. and L accom-
panied the committee in a visit OF in
vestigation TO the railroad commission
ers of Minnesota and Wisconsin. as well
as to the cities Of Owatonna, Lacrosse
and GAINESVILLE.
A number of conferences were held
with the PRINCIPAL officers Of the North
western and Tri-State exchanges re-
ports of which. with the other activities
Of the committee, have been made to
YOU. - "
This question Of the elimination of
the extraordinary expense ~entailed up
on communities by the duplication Of
telephone exchanges has been one OF
increasing importance all over the
United States. the necessity arising out
Of the war for economy in all things
brought this as we'll as5-manys other
questions to a point.
In California and New. York. eandaper.
maps In Other states efforts were made
by the state authorities tosreduce.,thI
expense by consolidation or eliminatine
one company and dividing and dis.
tributine the territory: the savings &C.
and are TO the advantage not only Of the
subscriber. but ALSO TO the nation. al
large; the subscriber obtains the samt
service for practically &one-haN the ex.
pense, while the resources of the coun.
try are economical by the. elimination
Of duplication IN construction exten,
sion and maintens nee work by the ex.
changes: this. saving. in the aggregate
= In snG spn1eei..,op Of se.,. things. II.
commits. under the sdidancs u chair.
year 5t0ok UP the possibility ofssuch ii
Ea4feement between the two companiet
4 I'm this city. but before the negotiations
49, 40 80
Levied By Total
i is.s fa's s. so'r'' h0cA' $50 saa'es' Ias ST