The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-09
New Court House; A. Of C. Opportunity

ANSW OONAV AAON0N
With the close Of the group meetings Of the Associa-
ton OF Commerce, it now will be possible for the difcc-
tors to select those preferred projects brought up IN the
discussions as the major objects Of the years program
10 which the organization should bend It's energies to
bring into realization for the city and county.
This year will be another important II months IN the
advancement of the city and county. Last year the en-
phasis was placed on the city. Careful planning ara
earnest effort put over the memorial community build
inc for the city and county by the overwhelming sup
port given the $125,o00 city bond issue. That put real
value into the proposed $4,000 fund then being started
by the county to honor the veterans Of the nations
wars. The addition Of the citys $125O00 assures q
worthy memorial and. at the same time. q social center
where the interests Of Burleigh county and Bismarck
yes. Of the entire Missouri slope-can be fittingly taken
care Of and developed.
Toward the end Of the year the city also laid the
foundation of air development here. when it leased the
Strauss field as an airport. another OF the A. OF g. ls1s
projects. This lease was of = temporary character. a
way must be found to turn this nucleus into o greater
field, for when air transportation and ar man over
the northern route come knocking at the door OF the
city. they must be heartily welcomed in. That implies
greater facilities than the field leased may provide. BY
that time certain conditions that now hamper the city
in this field Of activity will likely have been adjusted
and the way cleared for the city to realize its aviation
ambitions and destinies.
This wear the biz project to the support Of which all
SOOul0 rally - ~ UCW COAAG jug ~ WAA ~ ~ -
on forever trusting to luck that the present old building
can be made to function as q protective shelter to the
county,s invaluable records. Fate has been tempted too
long with the risk to which these irrcplaceahlc papers
have been subjected. Far more than what would he
required to erect q building sufficient to the needs and
dignity of the county would be expended in trying to dup
l;catc the records should some disaster. such Is might
bcfau an old building, destroy or ruin them.
Then there is the public business of the county which
is transacted through the court house. That also calls
for modern and ample facilities, neither Of which are
provided by the present building, which the years have
worn shabby and the expanding activities of the county
and its people have o~utgrown. Better and safer offices
are needed. Also a Jail from which prisoners can not
saw their way out.
Besides, this is the capital city Of the state and IN a
few years the erection Of q new capitol will be taken up
Funds arc being accumulated at a rate which should
permit North Dakota to take the preliminary steps in O
few years, to replace the old capitol building with some
thing modern and also worthy the dignity of an i'm
pcrial commonwealth Of the nations 48.
The court house, therefore, should be the main project
for the Association Of Commerce to espouse this year
Very likely it can be carried to q victory such as was
accorded the community building In the city If it Is put
to a referendum of the taxpayers. The civic organiza-
lions here and the American Legion have accorded the
proposal their earnest support. This week the board Of
county commissioners will take action to further the plan
put forward a: the December meeting. Of letting the
people vote on a bond issue for the proposed new build
ing. The county will then be set to proceed with the
move to obtain the necessary sanction Of the voters.
For that reason the association should by all means
put the new court house to the very front Of its annual
program.