The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-15

"aNS a'' cSto 'oF every v'oIdttOn
Of the law. :..,...
Decision on fifty per cent in
crease in heat rates by Hughes
Electric Light Co., postponed for
thirty days to give both sides op-
portunty to present both sides of
the controversy.
It was economy night at the city
commission last evening and when the
smoke cleared away the city has &C.
cepted the resignation of H. F.
O'Hare city attorney and had appoint
ed Il. II. Burke former associate JUS
tice Of the supreme court. The posi-
ton of city assessor which paid $125
a month and was efficiently held by
L. E. Morris was eliminated
Commissioner Thompson started
the ball rolling by introducing a reso.
luton appointing S. F. Lambert as
fire chief. He cited in his resolution,
Mr.. Lambert's long service under a
former regime and urged his appoint
ment. Commissioner Kirk Lucas and
Pcrtsch refused to make any change
in the department so the motion lost.
Three Best Resolutions.
After some debate Commissioner
Best presented three resolutions all
Of which received favorable consider
alton. He stated that since he had
been selected as finance commissioner
he intended to cut down expenses and
proposal as his initiatory act to limi-
nate the position Of city assessor. Mr..
Morris was called before the body and
given few minutes quiz as to the
time needed to assess the city. He
stated that the work could be done
efficiently in connection with the city
auditors office. Mr. Thompson sug-
gested that the chief of police be CON-
PEELED to collect all fines and licenses
and to assist in watching for property
that might be removed before taxes
had been paid.
Commissioners Kirk, Best and
Thompson voted to dispose with a
paid assessor while Pres. Lucas and
Bertsch maintained that Mr.. Norris
by his efficient work had saved the
city several times the salary Of $1,000
year paid him. They refused to vote
to abolish the Office.
Fireworks Start
The fireworks started when Com
missioner Best proposed to accept
O'Hare's resignation which was filed
last spring when he was appointed.
Mr.. O'Hare was there and asked to
speak in his behalf. He refused at
first to oppose the forced acceptance Of
the resignation. Commissioners Best
stated that Mr.. Burke would accept
the position and that he thought his
, appointment would increase the effic-
iency Of the legal department of the
city. He criticised O'Hare's opinion
on the recent city election especially
as it related to the swearing in OF the
women's votes. He said that he had
an opinion from Attorney General Lam
ger also which did not answer his
question but said that he was willing
to fight for the women and see that
all their rights wehe protected"
G.. l.. Young who was present eX-
planned that O'Hare was not appointed
in time to participate in the recent
paving cases, because his appointment
came after the litigation was started.
Burke's appointment was proposed on
tn, grounds that he could look after
all litigation and that it would not be
necessary to employ other legal talent
Not Fair.
President Lucas stated that the dis
missal of Mr.. O'Hare was not fair and
that he should be allowed to serve
out his term. O'Hare, when pressed
for statement, said that he thought
the city commissioners were establish
ing a precedent by practically dis
charging an employe against whom no
charges had been filed.
Commissioner Best then followed up
with resolution suggesting that the
auditorium committee confer with the
library commission so as to have one
janitor care for both buildings. Presi-
dent Lucas appointed Commissioner
Kirk on the auditorium committee to
the seat vacated by Commissioner
Battey and the resolution was referred
to that committee.
President Lucas stated that he had
received complaints that certain
stores were keeping open in violation
of the law and the police department
was instructed to see that the Sunday
closing laws wore rigidly enforced.
Heat Rates Deferred.
No action was taken in reference to
the heat rates. C. l.. Young, attorney
for the Hughes Electric Company
sol, cto+omonf ro1afivo tn the in.
creased cost of coal, labor and sup
plies used by the Company. He stat
ed that the fifty per cent increase had
netted the company slightly more than
twenty-one percent in excess of rev.
enue under the old rates. Rates from
other cities were cited in comparison
with the Bismarck rate and Mr.. Young
stated that Bismarck was enjoying q