Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1915-02-05
Fergus in Queer Pickle
Voters Refuse to Vote Bonds
to Pay Debts or to Per-
init Tax Rate Raise

Fergus Falls had a special election
last week Tuesday on two propositions,
both of which lost First, to hor-
row $40, 900 on bonds for current ex-
penses. Second, to change the chart
er so that 10 mills instead of z mills
should be the limit of assessment for
the city general fund, and to establish
a new highway fund with limit OF a
mills.
"The bond issue was opposed on the
ground that to borrow money for run
ming expenses is poor fiscal policy.
The charter amendment was interfered
with by the liquor license question.
The vote in opposition came from
license men who prefer to see the
license money kept in sight as a fact
or in the city finances. and from no
license men who do not wish to pay
higher taxes, whether chat be con-
sistent position or not. The city
council is left "short," and will be
compelled to rigidly curtail expenses
during the rest of the year; and
where it will get money to pay
debts and run the city with, the
lord only knows.
Flames which broke out in the fam
lily residence of Ole Johnson. in Das-
sci week ago last Friday morning,
burned the body of one daughter.
Miss Selma johnson to a crisp and
also scorched the face and hands of
her sister, Miss Hannah, quite badly.
Miss Selma Jvhnson occupied room
on the second floor of their home
and her body was found near Win
dow where she had undoubtedly been
overcome by the smoke which filled
the upstairs from fire which started in
one corner of the lower ruom. Miss
Johnson was twenty-five years of age
and a prominent young woman of
Dassel. She has been cashier at the
Andrew Olson & Co. store for severa!
years. Her father is employed as
tailor in Dassel.
That thousands uf Belgians will
make their home in Minnesota next
year as a result of the European war
and the devastation of their native
land, is the statement made by Philli-
pine Ortrays, a Belgian acrtess who
is touring the state in the interest of
the movement to assist her unfortun-
ate countrymen. She states that at
Duluth ]. L. Washburn had secured
for her 500 acres of land which would
be divided up into small tracts and
parceled out to Belgians who would
immigrate here and whose farming
knowledge particularly adapted them
to succeed in agriculture. She will
tour the state and make addresses in
a number of the cities.
According to contract, the state
ment of the Otter Tail Power Co. as
to cost of constructing the great Hoot
Lake plant. very carefully prepared
by the president of the company, V.
A. Wright. has been filed with the
city clerk of Fergus Falls. 1t ag-
gregates 1926, $50. 50.
The Western Minnesota Teachers
association will hold its 18th annual
meeting at Granite Falls on Thurs
day, Friday and Saturday, Feb. II,
IL, and -. County and city super
intendents will meet the evening of
the first day. The topic for discus
sion will be the report of the Mime
sofa Education commission. Superin-
'tendent M. B. Forbes of Marshall
presiding. On Friday morning there
will be addresses by Miss Elizabeth
Hall Of Minneapolis and Miss Mabel
Carney. Friday afternoon will be &C.
'cupied by the round table conferences.
AT eight o'clock there will be an ad-
dress by Superintendent Pattingill of
tMirhigan. On Saturday morning the
fteachers will be addressed by c. e.
Swain, state rural school commission
an oud o1oin hv Mr. pa1tinoill