The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-01-30
PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY.

Wednesday evenings meeting OF
the Ely Commercial Club tended to
further better understanding OF
the club. Expressions made on be-
half of the City Council by Alder
man John E. Porthan and Mayor E.
w. Hanson and on behalf of the
Commercial Club by A. j. Thomas,
cleared up disputed points ana ex-
plained matters in very plain and
concise manner. The council had
been accused of having been nlg-
gardly in its policy of financial ala
for the Club and Alderman Porthan
took exception to the statements.
MIR. Porthan stated that the coun-
ell as custodians of the taxpayers
money were charged with spending
this money to benefit the largest
number and this was what was
being done. He also stated tha'
the council is criticized rather harsh
ly at times when the actual motives
underlying their acts was misunder-
stood. He also stated that every
thing was laid at the door OF the
council and that other bodies were
not criticized in proportion TO then
deeds and misdeeds. His resume OF
the financial situation of the city
was well given and he made the
claim that retrenchment was IN or
der to Offset the time when the valu
ations on the fines would be cut by
reason of the yearly exhaustion.
A. ]. Thomas took exception tt
- L., - made am
showed where the Commercial Clut
lad delivered more good service fol
the amount expended than an!
other agency in the city. He stated
that the high valuations attained II
the city since the organization OF
the club was due to the tax som
mittee maintained by the club ant
the taxpayers for many years anC
that through the efforts of this com
mittee assisted by the City Assessor
and friendly members of the coun
Gil the assessed valuations of FL!
had increased from two million Il
over eight million. He was also 0,
the opinion that if $50 of the hes
taxpayers and citizens comprising
the Commercial Club wanted certain
things, the council in all fairnes
was due to grant the requests a
the will of the people by whom
they were elected to transact bust
ness for the people.
He also called attention to TIL
fact that the city charter made pro
vision for supplying funds for civil
purposes to the extent of one pc
cent of the levy which would Civ
the club over $4,000 per year if ad
hered to but at no time since it
existence had the club asked fo
anything near that figure. He ais
stated that the council was restrict
ed by law from entering certain act
ivities of benefit to the people an
that the Commercial Club acted a
a buffer between the citizens an
the council in such matters. Niue
more was said on the subject by Nh
Thomas but all was of the sam
trend tending to bring home tn
fact that money was needed for tn
Commercial Club am that as lon
as the citizens desired it so, it wa
the duty of the Council to suppl
the same providing the money wa
not wasted or frittered away O
matters of no benefit.
In our opinion, both were right
Mr.. Porthan expressed his opinio
as one of the guardians of tn
peoples business and Mr.. Thoma
as one of the people themselve:
The opinion of those who heard tn
talks simmered down to the fac
that the City Council without tn
Commercial Club would be about a
much at sea as the Commercial
Club without the City Council. A
we said before, it is our opinio
that the meeting brought about
better understanding of the aims o
the Commercial Club.