The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-02-24
ELECTRIC CARS.
Meeting of Business Men Held
Friday Night.
Sentiment is in Favor OF a New Light
ing, Power and Electric Street
Railway Company.

a, E. Clark's office was filled to its
capacity Friday night in response to the
published notice that there would be a
meeting there of those who
are interested in the form
alton of new lighting, power and
street railway company Among those
present by invitation were Mayor Pfau,
Aids Adams, Peterson, Zimmerman
and Fritz, and HI. A. Patterson, of the
Mankato Gas ana Electric Light Co.
who were invited to come merely to
express their views.
Mayor Pau was selected as chair
man, and called upon Mr.. Clark to
state the object of the meeting.
Mr.. Clark stated that there was a
project Oh foot to form a new company
to put in a second electric lighting and
power plant, which should also furnish
power for operating an electric street
railway line. All that was desired was
the cooperation of the citizens
S. Wilhartz suggested that if the
citizens wished to subscribe for stock
in the new company it would help.
Aid. Petersen said that he did not
think that outside capitalists would put
in money unless local men do it also
There would have been no new tele-
phone company if the citizens had not
combined
Aid Zimmerman said that the citi-
zens would cooperate if competition
was assured, as competition is desired.
He presumed that the street car line
would be small one to start with
Aid. Petersen said that he had ideas
of his own in regard to street car
line. Front street does not need cars
much, but line that took in the out
skirts of the city would pay. He sug-
gested that it would be a practicable
route to run along Vine street to Third,
thence to Dukes addition, back on
Fifth or Sixth to accommodate East
Mankato people who could walk up the
hill. and thus form loop, and then to
West Mankato The city is spread out
to such an extent that he was sure that
the line would pay. Property on the
outskirts would be enhanced in value.
The cars would move rapidly, and the
operating expenses would not be nearly
as great as with horse cars.
Mr.. Wilhartz said that much pro-
h. 1,.fc no Il Tod
10 new company. One banker had said
that he would give 81, 600 worth of lots
and subscribe for stock besides
John Klein thought that the new
company would receive many dona
tions but he did not believe that any
one would take stock. Speculation in
other cities had used up our peoples
money.
Aid Petersen said that people would
rather live on the outskirts of the city,
where they can have plenty of room if
they could get to the city in a few
minutes.
Mr.. Clark said that he did not an
ticipate any difficulty in disposing of
so, 900 or $1,000 worth of stock in
Mankato. At " mona, the street car
line is profitable.
Mr. Pau said that it did not prove
profitable the first two OF three years
Aid. Petersen said that if the city
owned its lighting plant it could afford
to furnish power for street railway
line cheaply
Mr. Clark asked whether anyone had
figured on the income from private
lighting in the city
Aid Zimmerman estimated it at
$40, 900 to $12, 600
Mr.. Clark responded that it is nearer
$4,000
Mr. Patterson was asked what he
could state about this, and he said that
Mr. Zimmerman had placed the figure
too high.
) Mr. Clark said that the lighting bill
of The Saulpaugh is $125 month, the
Odd Fellows hall $3.50 year and the
first and second floor of that building,
800 year each, and there are humid
reds of stores and buildings lighted
Aid Zimmerman said that $50 or
200 horse power engine would run the
lighting plant. A rs horse power en-
CINE would run the city lights.
Mr.. Patterson said that $1,000 would
pay for good deal of lighting. He
was in favor of street railway.
Mr.. Pfau said that street railway
sometimes builds up city, as the land
on the outskirts thus becomes valuable.
Aid. Zimmerman remarked that this
worked both ways. Inside property
was deprecated in value, on account of
the decrease of its rental value.
Mr. Klein said that fifty new houses