Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1920-02-27
ENDORSE CHARTER
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS DIS
CUSSED BY CITIZENS AT
OPEN FORUM

OPEN FORUM
Proposed amendments to the city
charter and the national guard ques-
tion were discussed at length at an
open forum meeting of the Little Falls
Board Of Commerce Tuesday evening,
at which about fifty citizens were pres
ent. The meeting lasted nearly until
midnight.
E. A. Walsh Of Minneapolis, cap
tain in the First Minnesota: Infantry,
National Guard, was present and out
lined the proposition for organizing a
company Of the regiment in Little
Falls. He explained that at his per-
sonal solicitation, Col. Luce, commander
of the First Minnesota, had agreed to
permit the formation of company in
Little Falls, as so many Little Falls
boys enlisted in the First Minnesota
when the war broke out and many
friendships had been formed.
In order to get company in Little
Falls, according to Mr.. Walsh, it is
necessary to first organize a company
of 3S men. The state appropriation OF
$25, 1000 toward the construction of an
armory is then available. The require
ments are that in addition to this sum,
the municipality spends at least SIS, 900
toward the erection of the armory. The
city must provide site for the armory
free of membranes and give war
ranty deed for same. The sum Of $1,000
must also be deposited. By organizing
a full company of 100 men, the federal
aid would be secured and the equipment
and uniforms would be supplied by the
war department, also the ammunition.
The state pays $3.50 per year to each
company for maintenance. The men
are paid at the rate of the army base
pay, which is $50 per month for pri-
Yates and on up, according to rank, the
amount they would draw, being, of
course;Nonly a small portion Of this
amount, as only forty drills are requir-
ed each year, or total of about CO.
hours, also two-weeks' encampment at
Lake Pepin. Men from 81 to As years
of age, may enlist and those Is years
old, up to 81 can enlist, upon securing
the writer consent Of their parent or
guardian. The enlistment period is L
year for ex-service men and years for
all others.
Upon motion by N. N. Bergheim, the
chairman was instructed to appoint
Of five. to look into this
matter and report back to the next
meeting Of the board of directors Of the
Board of Commerce, they, to submit the
report to another meeting of the gener-
al membership.
Charter Amendments
Discussion Of the proposed amend
up next, Mayor Bergheim, chairman of
the charter commission, opening the
discussion. He stated that the pro-
posed revised charter contains twelve
chapters and is less than half as long
as the present charter. Mr.. Bergheim
explained that the purpose Of having
a charter is to have all the laws, which
pertain to a municipality compiled in
one book and it is the duty Of the mum
icipality to make the charter as simple
and easy to understand as possible. The
need of a new charter in Little Falls
is evident, he stated, as the present
charter has been found to be unwork
able, particularly in regard to public
If we wish to 60 ahead
with public improvements here, we
must amend the charter, he said. He
added that other parts of the charter
also need amending and the commits
sion has gone over the entire charter
and revised it to make it more simple
and clear.
Taking up the first chapter, relating
to the system Of government and elec-
tions, Mr.. Bergheim stated that no
change in the system was contemplated,
the present mayor-council system to
continue under the new charter, with 2
aldermen from each ward, one alder
man at large and city mayor. It is
however proposed to change the Sec
tion relating to elections, holding them
once every two years, instead of every
year, as at present. This would elm
mate much unnecessary expense. It
is also proposed to pay the aldermen
for their services. At present, they re-
ceive but $1.00 per year and it is ex-
ceedingly difficult to get quorums. I'm
der the proposed charter, the aldermen
would receive $500 for each regular
meeting and $500 for each ad-
journed or special meeting, the total
for each year not to exceed 800.
IL Is aASO plOpOSeu To make tne OA1c-
es of city clerk and city assessor, ap-
pointive, instead of elective. The rea7
son for this, is to make the city govern
ment more efficient. There has not al
ways been complete harmony between
the city clerk and council, the clerk
feeling under no obligation to that
body, since he was elected by the peo-
pie. His main duties consist in carry
ing out the orders Of the council and,
the office should be appointive, in or
der that the best results may be Sc
cured. As to the assessor, at present,
the city has no check on him whatever,
but under the proposed charter, he
would be required to make out dup
licate set of assessment records to be
fled at the city hall, where taxpayers
could examine same at any time and
learn just what anyone in the city is
being assessed. The time is also com
ing, when the city clerk will need as
sistance and by having the assessor ap-
pointive, he can be hired for the entire
year, if necessary, and could be used
as an assistant to the clerk.
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