The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1918-04-04
holder, and the John Nuveen Co.

holder, and the John Nuveen Co.,
Chicago. 55s sHs
Mr.. ElwelPs bid was lat q $1,400
discount but he explained during the
course Of the evening that he had
made no provision for printing the
bonds, as he supposed they were all
ready for sale. Il
3 The bid Of the Chicago concern
failed to conform to tie advertise
ment for the sale Of the bond issue
and was eliminated. It offered to
take the bonds at 2 discount Of So
420. Y. N
That was the principal business
for which the council met in ad--
journed session. iss5 S@5 555 E55.s
Mcompetency Uncovered.
Superint dents u. r Eckstrum Of
the water system threw some light
on the condition of the system. ask-
ing for instructions from the coun-
Gil. He stated that the meter sys-
tenn and other featuresad the water
supply revenue were in an exceed
ingly chaotic condition and cited a
few instances ito substantiate his as
sertions. -s 5s 81
Mr.. Eckstrum called attention to
one instance, where certain con-
sumner. had used thousands OF gall
Ions Of water and had been allowed
to pay only 81. 80 per quarter. Other
instances were where meters had
been removed and the parties were
using water at no cost at all, where
meters had ibeen broken and not re-
paired, where pipes had been looked
onto other pipes below meters and
run to supply three or four other
business houses without paying a
cent. Specific instances were quoted
in which the aldermen participated,
narrating the complaints they had
from consumers who were paying
their share, while others were enjoy
ing immunity from paying q cent.
.z The discussion resulted in instruc-
tions being issued for obtaining fig
ures on, rs and SO meters which will
be put into operation where there
are none, and the entire scheme Of
water supply and recording is to. be
thoroughly gone into, and failure to
live up to the regulations and tamp-
ering with the meters wdll bring g
penalty when such measure is pre-
pared and passed by the city council.
Another interesting matter was
that which had to do with
the building Of the postoffice. It has
been the custom for Bemidji to fur
nisll water free for building pur-
poses,- which is also liberal practice
for a municipality. The contractor
for the government building has been
allowed this gratuitious favor and it
was stated that thousands of gallons
had been wantonly wasted.
Government Carelessness. !.
= Another thing laid to the build
ing Of the postoffice was the condi-
tion of Beltrami avenue all winter.
The city's principal thoroughfare
has been jammed and choked with
piles of sand and debris, with the
contractor away and only an eight
foot passage in the avenue. In rum
ming drain pipe the workmen broke
hole in the storm sewer, inserted
the pipe about two feet into it and
left it. For distance Of about so
feet on one side and about 80 on the
other the storm sewer was allowed
to become choked with ice and the
city was compelled to thaw it, which
required z27 hours of city time and
expense to thaw out.
Street Superintendent Hazen was
instructed to grade the Jefferson
Highway leading out of the city
southwark. The stretch to7be graded
is about a mile in length.