Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-05-07
Whatever additional funds were
needed. and stand before the people
fonyth1t basis. ,
CITY EMPLOYEES PAY.

go =
citizens will be given an opportunity
ito authorize the borrowing OF money
with which to pay such salary in
creases as may be decided upon fos
the various classes of city employees
The appropriations for the current
year are based on the expenditures
which were anticipated when the lev
les were made, nearly a year ago. The
budget provided for salaries substan-
TALLY at the present basis. To in
crease these salaries materially would
exhaust the city's funds premature
~, and would involve the city in an
Indebtedness which the council may,
not lawfully ncur. The council is
advised by tho city attorney that, such
indebtedness may be authorized by a
vote of the people therefore the sit
uation will be placed in the hands of
the voters for such decision as they
deem proper.
The, voters cannot fix the salaries
Of city employees directly. This func-
lion is vested solely in the city coun-
Gil, or. where, a commission form OF
government prevails, in the commits
sion. The voters cannot wrest this
authority from the hands of their
elected representatives, nor can the
latter. even if they desire, delegate to
the voters the authority which is con-
ferred on them by the law of h state.
The voters can, in the indi-
Gated, authorize or deny the raising
of money for a specia! purpose, and.
in the present case, if the voters APP
prove of the plan of borrowing which
will be submitted, that fact will be
accepted as an expression of desire
that the compensation Of employees
shall be increased according TO a
schedule which will doubtless be pre-
scented. In no case can the money be
used for my other purpose. In this
for all practical purposes, the voters
will have an opportunity to express
themselves in an effective way both
on the matter Of salary increases and
on the raising Of funds for that pur-
pose.
4 10 Joo( oS z nc IL a.
should up in this form just now
1t may assist US to a clear under
standing of facts which need to be
clearly understood, and which are
often obscured by complications of
all sorts. The city cannot afford to
be niggardly with its employees. 1t
needs the best service that honest and
capable men can give, and in order
to obtain that service it must expect
to pay it's employees wages which will
permit them to maintain themselves
in decency and comfort in accordance
with recognized American standards.
The thing which needs to be under
stood in this and every other case is
that the city council is merely the
agent of the people, and that it can
spend no funds for any purpose which
are not collected from the people in
the form Of taxes The fact hat the
people are expected to pass on a par
t~icular expenditure may help to fia
this important fact in a good many
minds where. otherwise, it would
make but a slight impression.
The present situation arises from q
request for increased pay made by the
firemen of the city. The request was
not granted on the ground that funds
for the purpose were not available
} and that an additional appropriation
could not be made until the regular
time, later in the summer. The fire
men who had joined in the request
~thercupon notified the council of .theil
intent to seek other employment ani
fixed Monday noon, May 10, as thu
l time for the termination of their ser:
2 vice.
We understand, the attitude of tn,
council to be that of willing to max.
g advances which will be considered
l fair and just, not only to the firemen
l but to the policemen and other EN-:
I, ployes who may at this time be in
adequately paid. 1t is obvious tina
r the compensation of all employe!
t should be considered It the game time
so h a a proper balance may be main
t tanned in the various branches Of cit.
: service. -.
$ 1t is to be hoped, in order that con
fusion may be avoided. that the fire
e men will reconsider their notice o
intenrionAo quit. and will wait at leas
e until the wishes of the citizens ca
c be ascsrtaincd at the polls.