The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-04-27
THE ISSUANCE OF SCHOOL
BONDS UNDER DISCUSSION
P. J. Russell and G. M. Torrance Give
Opposite Views of the Issuing of
School Bonds at This Time,
Bemidii, April Is, 1907

Bemidji, April 25, 1907,
Editor Beltra mi County News:
Anent the proposition to issue
bonds in the sum of $35, 900 to
erect a high school building, a
vote on which is to be had April
3Oth, the publicity which a prop.
osition of so much Importance to
the 'axpayers of this city re.
quires seems to be almost wholly
lacking
While it is probably true that
the required number of notices
of election have been posted, and
published in the smallest pro-
durable type in an out of the way
part of the daily paper, a matter
of such vital Importance should
be fully and freely discussed and
advertised, in mass meeting and
through the columns Of the local
press. It is not a matter on
which snap Judgment should be
taken, and a few votes decide the
proposition.
Should this proposition carry
it means an additional indie bted-
ness of at least $4,000, as in ad-
dition to the proposed cost of the
building the site and furnish
ings will cost at least $4,000.
The bonded Indebtedness of
the district is now $4,000, a
large part of which will be due
within the next five years, and
the school tax for this year is
nearly two cents, or to be accur-
ate, eighteen and fourteenth mills,
and with a double Indebtedness
it means double that rate or
nearly four per cent.
Taxpayers, what do you think
of a tax Of that size ir addition to
your other taxes? What will it
mean to those who in addition to
school and general taxes must
pay for sewers and sidewalks,
and paving in the near future?
When the Catholic church pro-
perty was acquired we were told
it was the intention to add addi-
tional rooms to it as the neces.
sity arose. The same thing was
said when the site for the An
drews building was cquired and
the school built.
An addition to either of these
buildings at a moderate cost
would relieve the congestion at
the central school.
The people want more infor-
nation on this subject. They
are entitled to it, and the clerk
of the school board is the proper
person to furnish the same.
A high school building will be
needed in time, but the writer
does not believe that the neces
sity is pressing enough to war
rant it's erection at this time,
IN view of the enormous tax which
must follow.
p. J. Russell.
Editor Bemidji Daily Pioneer:
In reply to the article pub
ished in the Beltrami County
News under date of April 25th,
signed by P. J. Russell, I have
to say that while the article was
unquestionably written in the
utmost good faith, it is mislead-
ing.
The erection of a high school
building and the issuance of
$4,000 Of bonds therefor will not
increase the present tax levy for
school purposes more than p
mills on the taxable property of
the district.
Mr.. Russell argues that by
dou bling the bonded debt of the
district we necessarily double
our taxes. That would be true
only in case we had no teachers,
Table, showing taxable valu
Exemptions having been
by bonding for high school.
Taxable value of property of dist
Int. on $3.50 of bonds, 5 per cel
Tax levy to meet same.
Tax levy for sinking fund to reti
Total additional tax le