Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-05

SASy Va 0BO AXE 6S AOAkVW0s8 SS1CC0
and Sewerage, health and finance, po-
lice and fire and water.
1 would suggest that the depart
ments of our city be known and
designated as follows: one commits
missioner" one commissioner to be
known as streets and sewerage ON
missioner" one commissioner to be
known as fire and water commission
err" and one commissioner to be
known as finance, revenue and po-
lice commissioner" each to have the
duties prescribed by the code as the
same applies to each department.
In my opinion, considering the
qualifications of the different men on
the board, A. A. Westeen should be
health commissioner. F. w. Schlaberg
should be fire and water commission
er. J. Solstad should be streets and
sewerage commissioner, and T. J..
Smith should be finance. revenue and
police commissioner. It is not my
desire to dictate. and any change,
either In departments or men assigned
to the departments will be satisfactory
to me. Il suggest that we 20 into the
qualifications Of each member. and
assign to such commissioner what he
is best fitted for in the way Of duties,
that he has to perform.
All matters coming before the board
OF commissioners are to be decided
by a majority vote of the commission
ers.
There has been considerable agita-
ton with reference to our public util-
1ty corporations. and as to our local
gas, electric and steam controversy, I
quote from the message of Mayor
Wheeler. as follows: Consideration:
OF the heating plant should be abso-
iutely divorced from that Of the util-
lty proper. Gas and electricity users
cannot be justly taxed to support the
heating plant. The board should
with n aid of experts, ascertain the
cost of a modern plant of sufricdent
capacity to supply the city with gas
n electricity. 1t should compute the
cost OF operation of such plant. The
power company should be allowed
such operating costs, a reasonable
percentage for upkeep and d~epreciac
ton and q fair return upon the can
1ta1 invested. II the company could
operate its present plant al q profit
under the terms granted, we'll and
good II it could not SO do, it. would
probably feel compelled to install ma
cnlnery SO Opertabe."
I quote the above from the message
OF Mayor Wheeler to the council. be-
u I am in accord with the prin-
ciples stated therein. The people Of
this city are interested in the .eaa
electricity and steam question, and de-
sire II possible to have it settled once
Tor all. While we all agree that the
hpard Of railway commissioners have
n power to fix rates, still this COM
mission should he represented at all
hearings held before such board, and
do everything possible to help the
board determine what is Just and fat
to all.
No person win deny that all whether
he be lahorer. individual, corporation
or. individuals are. entitled to a fair
return. I want satisfied employees
and I am in favor Of our city paying
employees wages that are fair. AS to
our appointments I believe they
should be considered by this board as
a whole. each member Offering any
name that he believes is qualified for
the positions. Let us consider the
qualifications Of the applicants, and
endeavor to secure the best for each
position.
Let Is cooperate with the other
taxing boards of this city, the park
board and the board Of education. to
the end that we may work in unity
1 am in favor Of this commission
going into welfare work, such al COM
munity house, etc., and lend every
aid that we can towards welfare work.
I urge a thorough study Of the diff
ferent departments as 800 as pos