The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-03-14
THE CITY's OPPORTUNITY.

THE CITY'S OPPORTUNITY
If Mankato wants rapid transit now
is it's opportunity. If it does not
then it will doubtless pass it up. Mr..
Collins has certainly made the city a
spIendid and business-like offer, and
it is now up to our people as to what
they will do with it. His offer was given
at length in our local news columns, Sat
urday and in short is this He desires
street lighting contract from the city
on about the same terms as the present
one; the organization of a company
to operate lighting plant and street
railway with a capital of $500, 600,
is per cent of which is to be subscrib-
ed here; all but two of the board OF
directors to be local men, virtually
giving the control of the road and
plant to our people; that the 10 per
cent subscribed here shall be deposit
ed in trust in bank here, not to be
turned over until the plant and road
are in operation offers bond OF
twice the amount of the total capital
stock as a guarantee of the faithful
carrying out of his agreement. This
is certainly fair, practical offer ana
the Free Press believes that its re-
ouirements can be complied with If
our business men and citizens make
ND their minds to push it through.
Certain it is the city is not likely to
get a better offer, and if our people
have not confidence enough In It's
future to meet these terms, they can
not expect a improvement of such q
magnitude to be made here. For If
Mankato will not take 10 per cent
interest in a venture that promises so
much for it, outside capitalists can
hardly be expected to take the other
So per cent, or in fact make any move
whatever.
As the matter now confronts our
citizens, it is either street railway
and lighting plant combined with a
line reaching out into the country,
Mr.. Collins proposition is to connect
with st. Peter, or else it is munich
pal lighting plant, as this latter
seems to be the desire Of the business
men and people. If the former is
taken it means a new era for Mankato.
A period of greater growth would at
once follow. At least this is the ex-
perience of other cities under similar
circumstances. 1t would mean more
homes on our outskirts, where lots
are cheaper, and that within the next
few years large addition to our popu-
lation would be made.
On the other hand a municipa!
lighting plant would mean doubles;
better lights than we have had lately,
at least, whether it would NEAR
cheaper lighting for our streets, is
question that would have to be solved
by experience. According to Prof
Flather they are now about as cheal
as a good light can be obtained for. L
would in all probability mean cheaper
commercial lights, at least, so long al
the plant was new. But it woulc
mean slower growth for the city and
our business interests. 1t would meal
a plodding along for years to come
as we have been in the years tina
have passed. 1t would mean that tn
city would not reach out after bust
ness in country naturally tributar.
to it, for to install such a system
means within a few years, other line
reaching out to other points and max
ing MankaUo in fact what it is design
ed by nature, the center of southern
Minnesota business activity.
AS we said at the start of thi
article it is up OF our citizens to decid
which they will take. Whether the
will take Off their coats and all wor
together to bring the proposition o
Mr.. Collins to naturalization o
whether they will simply be Statistic
with a municipal lighting plant.
seems to be one or the other.
1t should also be thoroughly under
stood that the failure to comply wit
the terms of Mr.. Collins proposition
means an indefinite postponement {
rapid transit for our city.