St. Louis County MN Archives Photo Person.....Voss, Fred J. 31 Years As Public Servant 1918
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Debra Crosby http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00010.html#0002467 November 4, 2020, 4:47 am

Source:             Duluth News-Tribune Thur Jan 10, 1918 Pg 5
Name:               Fred J. 31 Years As Public Servant Voss

Date Of Photograph: 1918
Photo can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/stlouis/photos/voss159gph.jpg
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    FRED J. VOSS HAS SERVED CITY
    31 YEARS AS PUBLIC OFFICER
  Started Official Career As City
    Treasurer on Jan 15, 1887.
   Thirty-one years of continous service
as a city official!
   That sounds more like a dream in these
days of keen rivalry and competition for
political positions, but it is what Fred
J. Voss, Duluth's commissioner of finance,
will be able to look back upon when next
Thursday rolls around.
   Even monarchies and kingdoms, oftentimes,
observe many changes in their rulers in
the course of 31 years, but Commissioner
Voss has proven so popular with Duluth
voters he has become something of a fixture
about the city hall. He has served the
city longer than any other official in
its employ.
   On Jan 15, 1887 a young man was elected
to the position of treasurer for the city
of Duluth. He attracted considerable 
attention because of his youth. He proved
a brilliant success and then weathered 13
consecutive elections, being re-elected
each time to the position of guardian of 
the city's finances. He served two years
each term.
           First Finance Head
   Then in 1913 Duluth came to the decision
that it wanted commission form of government.
The old aldermanic system was abolished, and
four commissioners-- finance, public utilities,
public works and public safety--in addition to
a mayor, were placed in charge of the city.
   The name of Fred J. Foss [sic] was suggested 
as the foremost candidate for head of the 
finance division--and it so ruled. He was 
elected in 1913 and then again in the spring
of 1917.
   It is a well known fact that Commissioner
Voss rarely makes any campaign of importance
for election. He merely announces that he
will run again, if the people want him to, 
and will accept the position again if they
elect him to it. And every time they have
elected him.
   So vast a sum of money has passed through
Commissioner Voss' hands during this period,
that it is beyond the realization of the 
average individual. Commissioner Voss has
followed closely every twist and turn in the
finances of Duluth, almost from the time the
city was in its infancy. His mind is one great
source of information and it is constantly 
called upon to supply data, which in another
man would require hours, days--possibly weeks--
to dig out of the written sheets of history.
Commissioner Voss has it on the tip of his tongue.
             Establishes City's Credit
   During Commissioners Voss' career of 31 years
as city financier, the city of Duluth as an
incorporated municipality, has never defaulted
in any way or at any time, in payment of any
part, either principle or interest, of any
bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness,
or effected any compromise with the owners 
thereof. The Zenith City has established 
credit of the gilt-edged variety, and much 
of the thanks for this may rightfully be given
the modest individual who has guarded the
city vaults for so long.
   Each year his big task is compiling the 
city budget; determining to what extent the
people of Duluth shall be taxed--above the
prescribed 13-mill-limit of the charter--for
the funds not included in this provision; 
apportioning the various sums fairly among
the various departments of the city, and
then watching with eagle eyes to see that the
city's finances travel the straight and narrow
channel throughout the year, with no one 
spending more than his limit.
   Commissioner Voss is not exactly young, 
but he isn't old either. He doesn't announce
it publicly, but he hints that this my be
his last term, and that his familiar name will
not be on the election blanks when 1921 rolls
around.

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