The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1918-03-28
Devils Lake Satisfied

men nave Deen commissioners. Ine
showing made is such that taxpayers
may easily determine as to whether
the commission system is better, or an
improvement over the aldermanic sys-
TEN. A statement published elsewhere
in this issue, shows the financial con-
dition of the city.
Four years ago when the commits
sion system was adopted, and it be-
came necessary to do business on a
cash basis, there was a floating indebt-
edness of $4,000, represented by out
standing warrants drawing z per cent
interest. This was caused by series
of deficiencies extending over many
years, due largely to the credit system
of doing business.
The first thing the commission did
was to provide for this Indebtedness.
All but $4,000 was taken care of by
issuing refunding bonds bearing 4 per
cent, effecting reduction of percent
| in the interest rate. The balance was
i paid off from time to time from the
revenues of the city.
Today the city has a sinking fund
of nearly $4,000. which together with
the $4,000 deficiency taken care of.
shows that the indebtedness of the
city has been decreased at the rate of
more than $4,000 per year, while at
the same time more efficient service
has been maintained and more per-
manent improvements made than dur
! fvorr f10 %
city's history.
Burdens which the city commission
have had to contend with which have
been added as the result of new laws,
and which the aldermanic system es-
capped, are the white way, which has
been more expensive to maintain, the
mothers pension law and the city
poor, twenty-five per cent of which
! the city has to pay. This amounts to
several thousand dollars.
Next year the artesian we'll bonds,
amounting to $4,000, and which have
been running for twenty-five years, no
provision ever having been made to
pay them, Cor any other bonds) will be
paid from sinking fund and retired.
One of the big things accomplished
by the commission has been the in
stallation of a modern system of ac-
counting. For many years it was inn
possible to ascertain with any degree
/ of accurateness information with ref
erence to city finances. Expert ac-
countants were employed to go over
the records and procure statement
of every fund. A modern system of
bookkeeping and accounting was in
stalled so that it is possible now to as
certain instantly just where the city
stands financially.
By combining the offices of auditor
and treasurer a good move was made.
1t is now possible to transact business
with the city without spending time to
/ look up several different officials. The
city has been fortunate, also, in hav-
ing man like M. J. Cowley to fill the
position. There is no detail of city
affairs with which he is not thorough
ly familiar and no banking house in
the city has more thorough account
ing system.
One of the factors contributing to
the successful management of the
city's affairs is the class and character
of the men composing the commission.
\ They are all high class business men,
| property owners. public spirited and
aggressive. They have worked harmon
iously together untiring and unselfish-
ly, for the one purpose and object of
making Devils Lake better.
True, there have been minor criti-
cisms, as there always has been and
always will be.
All things considered there can be
no question that the commission form
has proven its value in Devils Lake. a
! fact due largely to the splendid men
who have worked so faithfully for 'he
city's welfare.
Sioux City Did Not Return
Aberdeen News: The voters of
Sioux City have just rejected by a
large majority proposition to return
to the aldermanic system of govern
ment. Both the daily papers opposed
the change, and the voters themselves.
apparently, were not greatly excited
over the matter, only light vote be-
ing cast, with the majority of those
voting being overwhelmingly in favor
of retaining the commission form of
| government.
The voters of the Third ward beat
the manual training boys out of the
manual training room Tuesday after.
noon.
The above is from the high school
notes published in the city papers last
week. Merely another argument for
the commission plan. Vote it next
Monday and let all, vote at the city
hall, and keep the children in their
classes.