The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-10


A. X. Pruden, president of the Com
mercial club, and member Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce, was given an oppor-
tuntty to explain his attitude towards
the project of holding a carnival with
an Ice palace as central figure, at q meet
Ing of the directors held last night. Con-
siderable warmth developed in the course
Of proceedings, and before Mr.. Pruden
finally explained that he was heartily
in favor OF the carnival project the
Chamber of Commerce was the recipient
Of number of hot shots from Harry I.
Black, Harry B. Hardick, c. B. Bowlby
and others Of the directors.
The trouble started at a session of the
Chamber of Commerce held yesterday, at
which Mr.. Pruden. who is a member of
the Carnival association. introduced q
resolution condemning the erection Of
an Ice palace as its central feature. Upon
learning of this action the directors sum-
moned q meeting for last night and in
vited Mr.. Pruden to explain his attitude.
Not little feeling was occasioned.
Mr.. Pruden admitted that he had intro
duced resolution opposing the ice pal
ace. He refused to assume the reSpon-,
sibiiity Of more general opposition and
insisted that he was in favor of the car
nival. with the Ice palace left out. In
explaining his position before the direct
ors he spoke at some length and said in
part:
My appearance here Is due to an In
vitation from members of the board to
m
one thinks me disloyal to the carnival
project l do. not favor an. ice palace,
but for the scheme as whole, this feat
ure excepted, I have only the heartiest
support ! have watched the conditions
of progress of the plans carefully and
with as much interest as any one. l have
well, and this leads me to believe that
the project Of erecting an ice palace Is
one presenting so many difhcultiess as to
make 1t unwise. AS yet we have had no
sentiment has been slow in appearing.
Il dislike to contemplate any measure
Of failure in connection with the carnival
plans. 1t has been apparent from the
first that in order to make the festival
a success. two things were needed
weather and sentiment The lack of the
former has demonstrated how difficult it
Is to secure the latter"
At this point. Mr.. Harry Black inter-
posed the question: WAS the action in
passing the resolution based upon the op.
position Of the Chamber Of Commerce to
the carnival?"
mo" continued Mr.. Pruden, 1T believe
in the winter carnival and my purpose
In proposing the resolution was to secure
facts regarding the manner In which the
ice palace proposition is considered. I do
not understand that the Chamber of
Commerce went on record as opposed to
the entire carnival proceedings"
Mr.. Black took the floor to castigate
the Chamber of Commerce In no meas
ured terms. He characterized the action
In passing the resolution, without any
saving clause to indicate that the Ice
palace alone was referred to- as an in
cident of which the history Of that body
furnished many 7repetitions. There has
never been any proceeding for the good
Of the city against which the Chamber
of Commerce has not raised objections,
he said. II. have no more concern over
their resolution than II they had been
q pack of old ladies with broom sticks,
who tried to drive US from their back
yards. That organization has done more
to injure the city and less to help it than
any in history
Messrs. Black and Pruden discussed
the cost Of the ice palace. Mr.. Pruden
contended that the prospect of revenue
was insufficient. while Mr.. Black, aided
by C. B. Bowlby, Harry Hardick and
other directors, took an opposite view
and held that with an ice palace great
enthusiasm would result and money
would be easy. The debate continued at
some length and resulted in the restora-
ton of harmony. Mr. Pruden again re-
iterating his statement that he desired
a carnival, though not in favor Of the
ice palace with the present weather con-
ditions. A resolution proposed by Mr..
Black, to the effect that it be the sense
of the meeting that an Ice palace he
built, the weather permitting, was unani-
mously carried.
Harry Hardick presented the report Of
| the committee on special attractions, Ne
cessitating an appropriation Of $1,000, and
| providing for the setting aside Of Rice
| park for skating events, the organizs-
ton of a parade of nations and trades, a
| fire department race down Sixth street,
| German Singing societies parade.
cake walk at the Auditorium with side
| attractions. an entertainment by the
| Turner's, mask carnival parade on Sixth
street and other attractions. The report
| also carried provisions for the award of
| numerous prizes. The directors took no
| action.
| An adjournment was taken, subject to
| the call of Chairman Bowlby.
|