St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-17
From orr Minneapolis Department

met in the board OF trade rooms In this city,
for the purpose Of arriving at something de-
finite respecting the matter Of establishing a
union fair ground scheme. The ST. Paul people
had urged the Ramsey county poor farm site,
while the Minneapolis people had set their
hearts upon securing the Minnehaha tract
This was obviously the only point OF differ
ence. Both committees saw the mutual ben
etits to accrue from union fair, and both
were DESTROYS OF efIecting an arrangement
which should be TO the interests Of both
cities.
or the st. Paul committee present there
were d. w. Ingersoll, II. S. FairchIld, Ansel
Oppenheim and w. Lindeke, while the Min
neapolis committee was represented by DR..
o. J. Evans, ehas. NJ. Loring, ElwoOd S.
Corser, Ezra Farnsworth and o. A. Pray.
Mr.. Ingersoll being chosen chairman, Mr..
Loriug opened the ball for Minneapolis by
submitting a subcommittee report. he had
conferred with the railroad company in re-
gard to locating the grounds at Minnehaha,
and Mr.. Prior had assured him that, with the
grounds located at the falls, the transporta-
ton accommodations would be equal to the
accommodations afforded in the past, but to
build spur track to the poor farm site would
cost considerable money.
Another member OF the committee urged
that the motor line was running to Mime
haha.
Sir. Fairchild, Of the st. Paul committee,
reported that be had spent considerable time
in trying to fine grounds located between the
Milwaukee and Manitoba railway lines, and
he had found it almost impossible to secure
lands, because of the unwillingness of own
ers to sell. He considered the price asked
for the Manitoba property too high to be
practicable.
Mr.. Loring replied that 1t had not been ex-
pected that the price asked should be paid.
The Minneapolis committee had contem-
plated acquiring title by condemnation pro-
ceedings, under the public park act.
But the committee from ST. Paul had no
faith in the project. They believed the state
would refuse condemnation proceedings, ow-
ing to the possibility Of troubles arising in
the future from parties who would be certain
to contest such action. The
Stelle heirs held their property
at 5000 per acre, an ehorbitant price,
far in excess OF its actual value. Col Walsh
also held his tract at a fabulous price.
THE POOR Farm.
The St Paul gentlemen again presented
the Ramsey county poor farm project, and
urged its adoption, because Of its easily ae-
cessible ani in opposition to the Mime
haha tract it was stated that the Meeker
island property was held by charter.
Mr.. oppenheim brought up section SO,
adjoining Union park, and the proposition
at once presented itself to both committees
as highly feasible. But DR.. Evans feared ST.
Paul would soon gobble the tract and get it
within the incorporate limits of that city.
Mr.. Oppenheim pointed out Mr.. Evans
fallacy by exclaiming that Minneapolis
usually has as good representatives in the
legislature as does ST. Paul.
This was followed by heated debate. Mr..
Oppenheim showed that Minnehaha was
much nearer Minneapolis than st. Paul, and
that the site he proposed was equidistaut.
Mr.. Farnsworth opposed locating it midway
upon the theory that that property would soon
be desired for residence, manufacturing and
other purposes. Mr.. Loring stated that the
Minnehaha tract was by actual measurement
5.3 miles from the suspension bridge, while
IL was but little over fonr miles from the ST.
Paul bridge. He called upon both commit
tees TO
LAT ASIDE JEALoUsTEs.
He looked forward to the time when the
two cities would be united.
DR.. Evans inquired if the st. Paul commit
tee would agree that the grounds should
never be incorporated in either city.
He met with prompt response in the affirm
alive.
Mr.. Fairehild stated that the entire section
thirty-.hree could be purchased for from 500
to 81, 900 per acre, aud that which could not
be purchased could be condemned, aud a
title acquired on such proceedings.
Finally the following resolution was pre-
scented.
ReSOlved, That the committee Of the cham
Der Of commerce Of ST. Paul, and of the
board of trade of Minneapolis, appointed TO
consider the location Of union fair grounds
between the two cities, hereby recommend as
most suitable for Iha. purpose lands next
east Of the transfer grounds, section IS,
township 90, range %, and between the ST.
Paul q Manitoba aud Chicago, Milwaukee d
st. Paul railroads, and recommend to said
bodies that authority be obtained Of the state
for the purchase or condemnation OF such
grounds as may be found necessary for the
purpose, with the agreement and understand
ing that in legislation with regard to this
matter it be provided that such grounds shall
never be included within the corporate limits
OF either Of these cities except by consent Of
both Of said cities.
MIR. Farnsworth was not satisfied. He in
troduced the following, which proved hot
bone Of contention:
1t being understood that both committees,
on behalf OF the bodies represented by them,
agree that proposed Legislative action include
promise that neither city extend its limits
beyond a line passing north and south through
the center line Of said proposed fair grounds.
The St. Paul committee looked upon the
amendment as a scheme 10 prevent the city
limits Of st. Paul from extending up the
river. After an exciting debate Mr.. Farms
worth withdrew his Objectionable proposition,
upon the suggestion that IL was improper TO
incorporate the sentiment therein expressed
in the committee report Il was thought