The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1942-01-22
Far-Reaching Action i
Taken at MOmentOus
Session.

ming during which more far-reachine
action was taken than at any meet
| ing in recent years, the city council
placed the police department under 9
civil service commission, put into OPP
| Grafton the new one-meter electric plar
and rate schedule, and directed that a
thorough study be made of fire equip
ment.
Two conferences were scheduled, one
for the next regular meeting with
owners of bulk gas storage tanks and
persons residing IN nearby areas to
discuss protective measures, and an
other for city employees to discuss the
public employees retirement act. The
council win be guided by decisions
reached at both.
William Leithold was named man
ager Of the Shagawa lake seaplane
base, which the city has licensed, and
William Huhtala, assistant. Both serve
without compensation, and were selec-
ted at the request of the Minnesota
Aeronautical commission, which is
recommending to the military depart
ment that the base be authorized for
use during the emergency.
The radio interference ordinance
will be amended to place it on a "a
instead of II hour basis, which will
make it illegal to operate radio inter-
ferring devices at any time.
The salary scheduled for 1912 was
approved, giving pay increases to many
employees.
A long list Of reserve work projects
totaling $467, 100 was discussed. Com
piled by City Engineer waino Somero,
the projects are being placed in read
mess to start as soon as the war is
ended to smooth the transition from
war to peace.
At the request of Mayor John
Kapsch, the council approved placing
the police department under civil
service. Alderman Joseph Koschak
opposed the action. saying he wanted
the resolution held over until the
next meeting for study.
As provided by law, the mayor will
name three commissioners, which must
he approved by the council, for one,
two. and three year terms The COM
mission win draw up regulations under
which 1t will operate All future men,
bers viii serve three years.
Mayor Kapsch indicated he would
have the commission members
ready for council approval at the
first meeting In February.
Civil service win not affect present
members Of the force, but all new
members viii have to pass a civil
service examination.
In asking for approval of commits
sion control Of the police department,
Mayor Kapsch declared that under
the present setup there was nothing
to stop the department. from being
used as political football.
Under commission the department
"will be put on good business basis,
he said. land its members will not
be subject to removal at the mayors
desire. They viii be able to perform
the service that the city charter says
the citizens are entitled to have"
The one-meter schedule win be
placed into effect as soon as the
necessary changes can be made I'm
the operations AMI billing depart
mentS.
1t will probably be a month before |
the changes can be completed.
One of the most discussed proposals
to come before the council in recent
years, the one-meter setup was adopted
on a So vote after lengthy ronsider-
alton. Favoring it were Aldermen
Rudolph Tisovich, Edward E. Porthan, |
Toimi Ahola and John N. Maxi, and |
Mayor Kapsch, and opposing it were
Aldermen Gust r. Anderson and
KoSchak.
Maxi declared he was in favor of the |
plan, but repeatedly said he felt the
city could not afford to lose the
estimated $4,000 yearly that would |
result from its rate schedule.
Added to the $4,000 raised we gave
down stairs" the $4,000 would make /
a Gloss of $1,000" he pointed out. (The
council spent an hour and seven |
minutes considering the 1912 pay
schedule in the clerks Office before |
converting for the meeting)
Ahola said that he felt the estimated |
decrease in revenue would be offset |
by increased consumption resulting |
from lower rates to a majority of |
consumers. GA per cent during De-
cember)
The discussion was started when
Buccowich submitted a three-month
report for the latter part of l941. And
erson moved that the report be ac-
cepted and filed. but it died for lack
Of support. Ahola then moved that |
the plan be put into operation. sup
ported by Tisovich, declaring he
couldn't find anything wrong with
the one-meter setup.
Maxi said that in view of the pay
Increases granted, it is @not a good
time to cut" the city's income, but |
Ahola said he felt the rate reduction