The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-01


a Structure, Can Be Obtained
Part OF Smith Park Spoken, Of
Mr. WheeIOc1< Wants New Audi
tOrium.
What possibly will be g. step in the d.
rection OF securing permanent location.
and probably a~buhding for the exhibit
Of the Northwestern Manufacturers
union; was taken at a meeting held yes
terday afternoon in the council chamber.
The manufacturers of the city were rep
resented by George R. Finch, Ak. Pru-
den, J. G. Maendler, G. T. Whellams. A.
8. Tallmadge acting as a committee from
the union, chamber Of commerce and COM
mercial club. Aids. Kenny and Shepard,
and Assemblymen Benson and Warner,
as representatives of the council took part
in the conference.
Since the old market house was turned
over to the library board, and the ex-
hibit Of the manufacturers was discon-
tinued an effort has been made by the
union to secure a promise OF quarters in
the remodeled building. There has been
some hitch, however, the library board,
according to the manufacturers wanted
too much money for space room in the
new market building With a view of en-
listing the services of the council in Sc
curing a tract of land or building for a
permanent exhibition committee was
appointed to confer with the council with
this end in view.
George r. Finch detailed the benefits
which would result not only to the manu-
facturers, but also to the city If per-
manent exhibit could be secured. He sug
gested that perhaps the council could ar
range for portion of the proposed mar
ket site being set apart for the erection of
a building for the exhibit.
Aid. Kenny stated that the purchase of
a market site was rather indefinite as
a majority of the council appeared to
be of the opinion that it was not wise
to increase the tax levy which next year
would be large owing to the increased
taxation for school purposes and bridge
repairs.
Aid. Shepard argued that the city might
lease piece of property within short
distance Of the business district. and pay
the rent providing the manufacturers
union would put up building.
A. K. Pruden said he was not prepared
to say off-hand whether the union would
do this or not He desired that 1t be I'M
derstood that the manufacturers were
not begging the council to do something
for them An exhibit of the products man
ufactured in the city would be of great
benefit. What was needed In st. Paul was
more manufacturing enterprises, and an
exhibit such as proposed would help on
this end. The movement was not class
one for certain class in the city, but for
the benefit of the entire city. For years
he said the city had conceded to the
Jobbers hundreds of thousands Of dollars
In the way of light valuations on stocks
held by this class of business men. Now
the jobbers could stand alone, and the
city should help out the manufacturers
A slight increase on the valuation of the
stocks of the jobbers would raise enough
money to pay for a market site, and also
build an exhibit hall for the manufac-
turers.
Mr.. Finch objected to the taxation of
the stock of the jobbers being brought
into the question of aehall for the manu-
tacturers, and declared that the tobbers
were taxed heavier in ST. Paul than either
in New York or Chicago
J, G. Maendler said the tract of land adj
Joining the market house on Wabasha
street would be the ideal place for the
exhibit hall. Assemblyman Benson in
formed the committee that the council
had nothing to do with this tract. as If
had been turned over to the library board.
and was in the hands of that body.
Mr.. Maendler was of the opinion that
as the library board would not Improve
the land for a number of years the coun-
Gil might get it back, and allow the manu-
facturers to use it. Mr.. Maendler was in
formed that there was not much chance
for this plan being possible.
AID. Shepard favored the payment of
rent for a tract In the business district
out Of the common council emergency
fund of $4,000, which was set apart each
year for the best interests of the city.
Aid. Kenny thought a part of Smith
park could be utilized for the erection of
the exhibit hall, and Mr.. Finch declared
the idea was a good one, If the park could
be secured for the purpose Aid. Kenny
contended that the land had been dedi-
Gated for public square, and 1t would be
all right to use "a portion of 1t for the
purpose. He said President Wheelock Of
the park board, would have no objections
to some of the park being used for an
exhibit building.
Mr.. Wheelock, who was present, did not
say whether he would or would not, but
he advanced thegidea that what the CITY
needed was an auditorium, and favored
the manufacturers exhibit hall and an
auditorium being built together.
Assistant Corporation Attorney GrigRs
told the committee that the city had no
right or authority to lease or purchase
lands for any purpose except municipal
buildings. This caused the committee to
fall in line with-Ald. Shepard's sugges-
ton that the city could help the manu-
facturers by paying ground rent or per-
haps something more toward a new build
ing from the council emergency fund.
The entire matter was left to the com
mittees from the manufacturers, CONNER
cial club, chamber of commerce and the
council to investigate and submit a re-
port as to the best available means of
securing a location or building for the
exhibit.
Mr.. Maendler said the union would want
a piece of land so by 800 feet, and the To-
cation should be in the central part of
the city, where it would be accessible to