The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-01-31
BOARD OF TRADE.
MANKATO MARKETS A TOPIC FOR
DISCUSSION.
The Organization of Produce Ex-
change Next Fall Favored--Union
Depot Project Acted On--Starch
Factory Proposed--Standing Com
mittees Named=-A Boot and Shoe
Factory and other Matters Talked of

The board of trade held an import
ant meeting 0Monday. The first
thing done was the election of @. H.
Austin as director, on the recon-
mendation of the committee on mem
bership. He was present and accepted.
A copy of memorial to congress of
the Merchants Exchange, representa-
tives of industrial bodies, and the
municipal government of ST. Louis, in
favor of improvement of the naviga-
tion of the Mississippi river, was re-
ceived, for endorsement by the board,
and was referred to the committee on
legislation.
A letter was received from Frank
E. Plummer,of Des Moines, Iowa, edi-
tor of the National School Teacher and
School Board, asking whether there is
boot and shoe factory in Manlato,
and saying that he could furnish ma
chinery for such factory, to inven-
tory 81 $3.50. The letter was refer
red to the committee on manufactures.
Mr.. Austin said that he thought
that Mr.. Plummer wanted to sell some
machinery for others to operate, but
there is no one here who would care
to take it up. If he would come here
and invest $4,000 to $4,000 in the
business it would be a good thing, but
machinery can be bought anywhere.
The members of the board generally
looked upon the letter as an offer to
get rid of some old machinery.
The following report was received:
'The committee on legislation to
whom was referred the matter of one
cent letter postage would respectfully
report that they have had the matter
under consideration and from all the
knowledge and information they have
upon the subject, do not believe that
the revenue derived from the post
Office department. would justify a
change to one cent letter postage,
without making other mailable mat
ter more burdensome to the people at
large than the present system, and
would therefore recommend that no
further action be taken in the matter.
0. o. PITCHER, Chm"
The report was accepted after full
discussion of the matter. 1t was the
general opinion that there is vasN
amount of trash going through the
mails at newspaper rates as periodical
publications or otherwise which ought
to be charged higher rate of post
age. Instances were cited where
eastern publishing houses take advan-
tage of the technicalities of the law to
secure low rates on novels, etc.
John Klein stated that there was
great deal of complaint about the diff
ferent scales in the city, and advo-
Gated having city scales.
M. B. Haynes said that there had
been city weighmaster at various
times, but that the fees had not been
enough to keep the office filled. He
moved that committee be appointed
to investigate the matter aud consult
with the council. This was carried,
and committee was appointed con-
sisting of Messrs. Haynes, Klein and
Jensen.
The subject of the local markets
was discussed at length, but without
any action being taken. The general
| sentiment seemed to be that some of
the villages around Mankato are pay.
ing more for some kinds of produce
than is the case in this city and are
consequently getting the trade that
ought to come here. There was con-
siderable talk that buyer ought to
be put onthe market, and it was also
suggested that competition in the
wheat market would also be good
thing.
IA suggestion that produce ex
change or place where farmers can
sell and get the full benefit of the
| highest prices, not to be conducted
for profit but merely to pay expenses,
was talked over and met with favor.
1t was considered to be too late to do
anything in this line this winter, and
the suggestion was made that it be
taken up next fall.
The following standing committees
were appointed by President Shoe
maker.
Manufacturers-Jno. G. Noe, J. N.
Hall, w. M. Farr, John Klein, HI. P.
Jensen.
Railroads.. A. Willard. Geo. T.
Barr, R. ID. Hubbard, L. Patterson, J.
f. Meagher.
Public mprovements-J. w. An