The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1918-01-25

If there are things you do not un-
derstand go to members OF the
council and get first hand lnfor-
nation. Pay no attention to the
statement Of people with an axe
to grind.
1t takes money to run city as
it should be run. Ely is not
bankrupt and only is a little en-
barrassed temporarily on account
of the demands made for war
purposes on the finances of the
country. The 100000 in bonds
will give Ely a clear slate after
which we can operate on certifi-
Gates of Indebtedness and the tax
levies until such time as the fl:
nancial horizon clears and things
again become normal. We need
the bond issue and the money, but
should, in some manner or other,
the cash not materialize to take
up outstanding Indebtedness,
other means must and will be
found to conduct the affairs of
the city.
Contingencies arise constantly
in the conduct of municipal af-
fairs that are unknown and UNI
thought of by people outside of
the management. You kick on
your taxes but do not stop to
think what you are getting for
the money paid. The heaviest
Knockers are the weakest taxpay-
ers. Ely is trying to do work in
the past few years that should
have been done fifteen and twenty
years ago. The results are plain
ly noticeable and it us no idle
boast to say that we have accom-
plished more for less money in
the past five years than any city
in the country. Our sewer sys-
tenn is being improved at the
present time and the work has
progressed to stage where the
end is near and it is to be hoped
that the work may be finished.
We have improved our fire pro-
lection to degree Of efficiency
not surpassed in any town of our
class in the state. We have
system of street lighting that
compares with anything in the
country. Our system of account
ing and office work is right up
to date. Our streets are fine and
with two or three blocks of paw
ing will be perfect. We maintain
one~of the best systems of light
and water in the state at a slight
expense to the taxpayers. To
sum it all up, our city is as good
as any in the state. Besides all
this our school system is better
than about twO-thirds of the sys-
TENS of the country.
In building up the city and i'm
proving the various systems con-
siderable expenses have been in
Cured which will be curtailed as
the work is completed. A few
years will see needed improve
ment finished and then Ely will
get down to the regular smonthly
expense basis 80 much desired.
Besides this our taxable valua-
tiOns are on the increase and with
the cessation Of new work the
rate will decrease. New work
costs money especially when
everything is attempted within
short time.
1t is the duty of every citizen
to help the council in every pos
sible manner. 1t is also the duty
OF every citizen to take an inter-
est in the conduct of city affairs
and keep himself posted ON the
workings of the city government.
Discussion is good for the soul
and there should be more discus
sion of city affairs by the tax
payers. The council meets every
month twice and welcomes the
appearance of interested persons.
Instead Of standing on the street
corners criticizing the acts Of the
people elected to do the work for
the city, go to the council room
and have your say Be prepared
to say what you have on your
system and have facts to back up
your statements. The council
welcomes advice and corrective
criticisms but has no time or in.
clination to listen to hair-brained