The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-12-02
A PROTEST.
Business Men Oppose the Omaha
Move.
A Largely Attended Meeting Decides to
Send q Committee to
Chicago.

Tuesday evening with leading bust
ness men and shippers who came ia
to voice their sentiments relative to
to the removal of the division head
quarters of the Omaha road from
Mankato to ST. James. There was an
earnestness of purpose shown that
was. unmistakable. Among those
who came to watch the proceedings
were the local officials of the Omaha
and Northwestern roads.
1t would not have taken much to
have started some fireworks going,
but fortunately those who participant
ed in the discussion were nearly all
among those who were In favor Of
temperate action at the present stage
of thelegame. 1t was evident from
what was said, however, that If the
peaceable means decided upon should
fail of their purpose more aggressive
action may be expected to follow,
The meeting was delayed somewhat
in opening, as everyone seemed too
modest to make the initiative and
call it to order.
The meeting was finally called to
order at 500 p. m. by James Shoe
maker, president of the board of
trade. and he called Mayor Pau to
the chair. Mr.. 'Pfau was received
with applause, and said that he under
stood that the meeting was called to
consider the recent removal Of the
Omaha roads division headquarters
to St. James. s. ..... :.
@. w. Schmidt was elected secre.
tary. on motion of L. P. Hunt.
The mayor asked what swas the
further pleasure of the meeting.
Mr.. Hunt said that at the request
of smany business men and shippers
he had prepared resolutions. He
read these, as follows: lzs ~
RESOLVED, That we earnestly pro-
test against the removal of the d.
vision headquarters of the Omaha
railway from Mankato to st. James
for the reasons
That Mankato is and long has been
the commercial center of Southwest
ern Minnesota; ss,Es
That no reason is assigned, nor we
think can be assigned, why st. James
is q desirable place for such headQuar-
tiers, that will not apply with equal
or even more force to the city of Man
kato;
That for years past very friendly
relations have existed between this
city and the Omaha railway, which
this abrupt and unexplained removal
must necessarily have q great ten.
dency torup ture;
That the people Of this city,
almost to mau, afforded all
possible aid to the Omaha railway
company in securing q shorter line,
large and valuable yard room, and
facilities for transacting business on
the levee in this city, worth many
thousands of dollars, with at least the
implied understanding that Mankato
was to be the business center of
Southwestern Minnesota for this COM
pany in the transaction of business,
that it's principle offices were to re-
main here, and that at some future
day this town might we'll be the di-
vision terminal of this system.
Resolved, That committee of
five, be appointed by the chair, of
which the mayor shall be a member,
to visit Hon. Marvin Hughitt, presi
dent Of the Omaha road, and any
other officials whom the committee
may deem prudent to visit, and urge
upon them that the Office of division
and train dispatcher
be returned to this city.
Mr.. Hunt said that these resolu-
tions speak for themselves. It had
been understood by our people that
when the right OF way was given for
the change of the roads route through
the city it was expected that the d.
vision headquarters would permanent
ly remain in Mankato. No intima
tion had ever been given that re-
moval was contemplated, and it was
great.surprise to all when our peo-
pie learned Sunday of the move that
took place that day. The conven.
fences in Mankato are as good or bet
ter than those OF St. James. The
Northwestern system has been given
most generous treatment in the mat
ter of freight business getting more
than the other roads. He believed
that a good committee would have
influence with the offiiaIs, and
if the division headquarters are not
brought back some good reason why
will be learned. b. ;
Fred Lang did not favor patting
the Omaha road on the back, but
favored trying to induce the Great
Northern road to extend south
through Mankato. The business men
of the city would promise President
Hill their support. This would bring
the Omaha to terms. President Hill
is understood to have informed the
late Mr.. Meagher that his road
would sometime be extended through
Mankato, and this is good time to
encourage it.
Geo. e. Brett moved the adoption
of the resolutions that had been Of
fered by Mr.. Hunt.