The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-09-24
Revision or Recall
Is Issue at Forks
Taxpayer Group May Seek to
2 Change Form Of Government
or Recall Officials
EXPENSES SHOW INCREASE
Staggering Burden Of Taxes Is
Foundation For New Civic
Movement
Tribune Special Service)

Grand Forks, N. D., Sept. "a
Grand Forks taxpayers, groaning UNI
der a staggering burden of expenses,
are undecided whether to attempt a
change from the city commission
back to the councilmanic form OF
government or to launch a recall of
some of the city commissioners now
In power.
On Aug. Is taxpayer group voted
to circulate petitions asking change
back to the councilmanic form, dis
carded in 1920. It looked as though
that was to be the plan whereby the
people of the city we're to reprimand
the officials and the system of city
government which have made ire
mendous increases in this city's ex-
pepditures during the last IL years.
Subsequently, however, it was as
certained that a delay of about Is
months would be necessary before
the government could be changed If
the form of government were
changed. In addition, many men,
bers of the association said they mis-
understood the motion and thought
they were voting to begin a recall.
AS a result another mass meeting
may be held at which the whole busi-
ness will be threshed out again and
definite policy decided upon.
City finances and steadily mount
ing tax bills we're given as the rea-
son for the proposed changes, and
leaders of the movement believe that
immediate action is necessary to pre-
vent many residents from losing their
homes for non-payment of taxes.
In 1920 the total budget of the city
was $204,10O. This was the last year
under the council form of govern
ment. The cost of operating the city
was $l67 1000, the balance going to
sinking funds and Improvements.
The population of the city was then
14.O10.
For the fiscal year of 1892, with
the population increasing to 1912
in 1890, the city budget had increased
to $407, $50 of which $287 800 was OPP
Grating expense. Under pressure for
tax reduction the 1928 budget was
reduced to $375, 29O, of which $751;
800 is charged to operation. In the
same period the city bonded indebt-
edness has grown from $685. 900 to
$414,000, which includes a recent
$225, 900 issue for waterworks i'm
provements.
fractional Politics Involved
Since the adoption of the commits
sion form of government in 1920 the
proposal to change back has always
been under consideration by some
groups Of the city. fractional politics
has been involved in many instances
and frequently the proposal has had
its backing in state politics.
The first open attempt to 60 back
to the council form came in the fall
Of 1927, when petitions asking the
calling of an election were filed with
the city auditor. Sponsors of the Pc
titions claimed they bore sufficient
signatures to make the election man.
datory. The administration forces
waged an active campaign for with
drawals and eventually the city audi
tor held the petitions insufficient.
The matter proved bone of con-
tention in the 1928 municipal cleo
ton. which resulted in James A. Din
ME and j. D. Turner being elected
commissioners. Neither had active
support Of the city administration
forces and Dinnie was actively op-
posed to them. Turner was not par
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