The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1923-07-14

CROMWELL, July 12.-(Special
to the Rip-saw. THE outlook IL
promising for a hot school election
here on July. 81.
The Beck-Clark-Benson gang Is
credited with being behind the
candidacy Of b. A. Beck and q. M.
Peterson. 7.N
School patrons and citizens In
general are strongly backing Richard
Krogh and John Hacksmaki.
+ Benson and Clark were eliminated
a year ago when Ruth L. Marknsen,
Earl Dotten and Norman Houck
were elected. When organization of
the board came up August 1, year
ago, the result was a deadlock that
lasted until October 1. The Beck
Clark-Benson faction then realized
that the school board officers could
draw no salaries without a formal
and legal organization, therefore a
compromise was effected, whereby
B. A. Beck was elected president,
Mrs. Ruth Mafkusen clerk and
C'rnelius Schin treasurer. For the
year past, the members Of the
board have embraced Mrs. Mar
kusen and Messrs. Beck, Hammitt,
Dotten and Houck, Of Cromwell
and Schin, of Wright.
Messrs. Beck, Schin and Hammitt
are members Of what is called the
"Old Gang" while Mrs. Markusen
and Messrs, Dotten and Houck are
affiliated with the progressives, who
are opposed to the "Old Gang"
One big kick on the ''Old Gang
is based on the matter OF salaries.
In spite of the fact that the district
is badly in debt, UP to the beginning
Of the past year, ,Mr. Beck pulled
down a salary ofi$530 as treasurer
and Mr.. Clark, enjoyed a salary of
$500 as clerk. This year. the clerk,
Mrs. Markusep, has had a salary
of $500 and the treasurer, oorne-
Illus Schin. has received a salary
Of $3.50.
The progressiVes and reform ele-
ment declareb that, a year ago, the
taxpayers Of the1 district were trick
ed into increasing the bonded in
debtedpess of--the- district $4,000,
assurances being given that then
there would be mo floating obliga-
lions and that the district would
be on cash basis. s.-
After the election, however, it was
ascertained that the district still was
in debt. Outstanding and unpaid
warrants aggregated several thous-
and dollars. This state of affairs
is partly charged to the fact that
the Beck-C Clark Benson gang lacked
vision to see that no state aid
could be secured for the new $780,
080- school building at Corona: s =
The Corona building was erected
on low, wet ground, when high and
dry ground was available at sim
liar price, onlysa few rods distant.
During the spring and summer,
the basement stands half-fifled with
water and itsis alleged that a boat
Is Necessary to reach the building
during the. spring thaw, If you
wish to do so with dry feet and
comfort.
Last year, when the cost of the
Corona school was asked at the
annual meeting, director Clark is
alleged to have said that it cost
bit over $4,000. Facts developed
later show that the structure cost
over $4,000. The progressives and
others opposed to the Beck-Clark-
Benson gang were displeased by
that misinformation
The state examiner was called
in. He was unable to find vouchers
for the years of 1920-21. Later, it
also was discovered that the sum-
mary for those years had been
torn from the record book and
destroyed. .....-
Considerable Of the friction in
the Cromwell school district is
credited to the peculiar curves and
personality of the former principal,
e. J.. ColloYins IL half the stories
told can be believed, Prin. Collovin
succeeded in two short years in
getting school patTanss in the Crom-
well district pretty well by the
ears. He drew a salary Of $500 a
year. Previously, he served as super
intendent of the Carlton Co. schools,