Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-10-30

OF City comnass!easrs. October sth,
Board Of City Commissioners, Henry
O'keefe, Jr.
CITY Auditor chas. j. Evanson. report
ed nat the following had filed their
sum of $4,000. with the State Bonding
Department of North Dakota as, sureties,
F. w, Schlaberg. r.. ]. Smith. ]. II. Sol
e e:s' and ID Henry lei y: o y:Kss = J as s se% presidemt
of the board Of city Commissioners.
On roll call the following reported
present, Commissioners %chlaberg, Smith,
Solstad and Westeen and President
Okeefe-5.
Presidents Message.
President o'keefe read his message to
the Commission as follows:-
! Grand Forks, N. D. ~
To the onorable Members of the CITY
Commission:
We are now operating under the plan
known as the commission form of gov
eminent. The plan has been in existence
in this state for the last thirteen years.
Whether or not it is a good form Of gov
rnmen depends entirely upon our ef-
forts. To make the plan a success, we
must forget that we are a victorious fac
ton; rather we must recognize no fac
ton where the interests Of the city are
at stake. 1t is true that We have had
good service under the old plan. but we
have advised the people that the COM
mission form of government is superior
to the Mayor and Alderman system. and
show this is true.
In my opinion the commission form of
government is superior to the old plan.
because it fixes responsibility. and will
politics, in SO far that they canvass the
voters with the plea, that unless so and
SO Is elected, the worker will lose the
positions they hold under the admin
istration in power.
Under the law, each commissioner has
certain specified duties, and the code
provides as follows: 1t is the duty of
the commissioners elected. to designate
from among their number one commits
sloner: who shall be known as Police
under his special charge the enforcement
of all police regulations Of our city and
general supervision over the fire depart
ment OF our city. and one commissioner
Streets and improvements" and keeping
the said streets and alleys in clean and
sanitary condition. and with the enforce
ment OF Al rules and regulations neces:
the health of the Inhabitants of our city,
and who shall also have under his spe-
c1al charge the supervision of all public
contracts therefore are faithfully COM
piled with. n that the condition of any
grant or any franchise or privilege are
id'ttiluliS coiuplleO Win ana performed.
and one commissioner to be known as the
"Waterworks and Sewerage Commission
err who h have under his special
charge the water works and sewerage de-
enforcement of all regulations with re-
spect to all the revenue pertaining there
TO: and one commissioners who shall be
and Revenue who shall have under his
special charge the enforcement Of all
laws Tor the assessment and collection Of
taxes of every kind and the collection Of
an revenues belonging to the city. from
whatever source the same may be de-
rived. and who shall also examine into
and keep informed as to the finances Of
The president of said board Of COM
~naissioners shall be the executive OFFICER
Of our city and shall see that all laws
thereof are enforced.
distribute the duties Of commissioner,
other than aforesaid. is given, and they
may by majority vote assign the diff
r re- noe out dutie es. II they see Mt: For in
OF Fargo are as follows: Streets and
Sewerage. health and finances, police and
fire and water.
I would suggest that the departments
or our city be known and designated as
follows: One commissioners to be known
as health commissioner" ore commits
erage commissioner" and one commits
sloner to be known as finance, revenue
and police commissioner each to have
the duties prescribed by the code as the
same applies to each department.
In my opinion. considering the uualif-
cations of the different men on the board,
\. A. western should be health commits
sloner, r.. w. %SchlaberE should be fire
should be streets and sewerage commits
sioner. and T. J. Smith should be finance,
revenue and police commits :ioner. It is
not my desire to dictate. and any change.
either in departments or men assigned
to the departments will be satisfactory
10 ne. ! suggest that we go into the
onai1hcatlons of each member: and as
best ftted for in the way Of duties. that
he has to perform.
All matters coming before the board
majority vote of the commissioners.
There has been considerable agitation
with reference to our public utility cor
norations, and as to our local gas. cleo
the message Of Mayor Wheeler, as fol
lows: Consideration Of the heating
plant g SHOULD be absolutely divorced from
support the heating plant. The board
should with the aid Of ~rperts. ascertain
I'tne cost OF a modem plant Of sufficient
electricity. 1t should compute the cost
or operation or such plant. The power
company should be allowed such oper-
upkeep and depreciation and a fair re.
turn upon the capital invested. II the
company could operate its present plan
at a profit under the terms granted, vel
and good. If it could not SO do. II
would probably feel compelled to install
machinery so operable."
quote the above from the message OF
Mayor Wheeler to the council. because ]
am in accord with the PRINCIPLES stated
therein. The people Of this city are in.
terested in the gas. electricity and steam
it settled nee for. all. While we All
agree that the board of railway commits
sioners have the power to fix rates. still
this commission should he renresented
at all hearings held such board, and do
everything possible to helm the board
determine what is Just and fair to ali.
No person will deny that all. whethe,
he he laborer, individual. c%orporation o,
Individuals: are entitled to a fair return
favor Of our city paying employees
wages that are fair. As to our appoint.
ments ] believe they should be consider.
ed by this board as a whole, Zach mem.
her onering any name that he believes IL
qualified for the positions. Let us con.
slider the qualifications Of the applicants
and endeavor. to secure the best for eact
position. '~
Let US cooperate with the other tax.
ing boards Of this rjty. the park board
and the board Of education. to the end
that we may work in unity.
am m favor OF this commission coins
into welfare work. such as community
house, etc. and lend every aid that WI
can towards welfare work.
I urge a thorough study If he dif.
ferent DEPARTMENTS as .oon as possible
J 70 chat MA -ASr ~t1yA