The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-09-27

them in many instances to pursue the
calling they are now following. He
thought the difficulty had it's founda-
tion in greed. Men were anxious to
control too much. If they would be
more willing to divide up and give all
a chance, thought 1t would be much
better. He could see some good fea-
lures about department store, and
many which are d isastrous. He dis
cussed their social effect to some eX-
tent. Their tendency is to reduce
prices and cut wages. This latter had
a demoraliZing effect and from its re-
suits many girls had been driven to
ruin. Such practices should arouse
public sentiment everywhere. He
| cited instances in Chicago and Boston
where girls employed were paid but
81. so to 81 90 per week. They could
exist on that, and when asked for
more, were told they must resort to
other means to make up the deficien
|
strong for things of this kind. He
| did not believe in doing away with
competition to help en- with the greed
of men, which would make such
practices possible.
| Geo. Pass did not believe in the prin-
ciples on which department stores
| no fhnurhf 1on o1y r
gained were not equal TO the evils
wrought
DR.. Andrews thought there was
two sides to the question. If de-
partment store would draw trade to
the city from long distance, it would
be benefit to the city and he be-
lieved that others than the depart
ment store would profit therefrom.
If we could draw trade here from
southern Minnesota that would other
wise go to the twin cities, it would be
much the better for Mankato, and
there were many who wonld benefit
thereby. He did not like the cheap
features which are inaugurated by
the modern department store at the
expense of morality, and public senti-
ment should be directed against
everything of this kind.
Geo. T. Barr said there was many
amusing things to be noted in the dis
cuSSiOn. There was also some mat
| tiers Of interest to watch in cOnnec-
tion with the opening of department
stores in MankatO. What would be
the effect upon property values and
rentals. Would they create an in
crease in vacant stores. Men were
now waiting before making move,
to see what the outcome would be.
The cry has been against high prices
it will be interesting to watch what
will be the advantage of low prices.
A running discussion was engaged
by several for few minutes, when e.
M. Pope, in the absence of Mr.. Hilger
closed the discussion. He said that
in any town where merchants in any
particular line were making more then
living for their families, and conse-
questly adding largely to their posses
sion, it was perfectly legitimate for
any man to start in the same business
for the purpose of gaining livelihood
for himself and family. But when
the merchants were only making a
bare living the overcrowding was not
To be commended. Any action which
had for its purpose the serving of the
people cheaply which was done at the
expense of the comfort and morality of
those engaged could not be too severe
ly condemned. The stories which
came from these institutions in large
cities are not reassuring for the good
of society.
The meeting of the club for Oct.
Sth was postponed to the 18th as DR..
Andrews stated that he could not get
his paper ready at the former date.
At that meeting he will read a paper
On 'Hypnotism-What it is, Its Adj
vantages and Dangers from Medical
Standpoint"