The Mankato free press., 1902-06-13
MERCHANTS ACT
They Back Up the Street Car
Company.
Independent Lighting Company Favor.
ed.---Lower Insurance Rates.
Meeting Night Changed.

alton held meeting last night with
tw enty three members present.
The street railway matter was talked
over at some length.
Hans Jorgensen said that the local
people should be commended for their
efforts, but it appeared that there was
not anything to Collins AID Williams,
who were full of promises, letters,
kilograms and contracts, but shy on
work and money.
"And revenue stamps" added Jay
Henry Long.
Mr.. Jorgensen said that unless Col
Iins and Williams put up at once they
should be made to shut up, and the
company should make a contract with
some other company that will go ahead
and put up a lighting plant at once
and add street railway as soon as
possible.
Geo. E. Brett argued that $50, 600
bond was not large enough one to
require.
Others said that if the bond was not
put up at once. Collins and Williams
should be cut off short.
Mr.. Long suggested that it would be
difficult to cut them off as short as de-
sired, as they have construction con,
tract that provides that work shall be-
gin within certain time, now pass
ed, and it does not provide that il
work does not begin within the time
named the contract shall be null and
void. Collins and Williams could
probably hold to the contract if they
were to begin work within any res
sonable time, and it was hard to say
how long this would be. Collins ant
his parties figure on graft of 500, O0'
in the construction of the Car line ant
| lighting plant. and they have killed
the goose that laid the golden egg b.
trying to make too much. They ar
still undoubtedly trying to hold on an'
get part or all of the $40. 900, if pos
sible. About the only thing tina
would get the company free from tn
tangle would be the expiration of tn
franchise, four months after its pass
age and publication. Mr.. Long sal
that, as soon as Collins and Will
liams could be gotten rid of, every
body that he had talked to was i
favor of organizing a company a
home, with home capital, and gettin
enough money to establish lightin
plant without bonding it. AS soon 9
it was in running order, and at th
proper time, a bond issue could b
fioated by the same company to bull
the street car line. Mr.. Long said ths
one man had told him during the da
that he would head the list with $40
, 900, anu another with So, OOG, for sue
purpose. The cost of the plal
i would be about $50, 600.
4 Another member of the associate
2 spoke up and said that he was reliab
i informed that the railway and ligh
: ing plant that Collins proposes
build for $4OO, 900 can be built al
equipped for $3.50, 600.
The point was made that if the ci
was to start to put in a municip
lighting plant, somebody would e
join it. The only way to succeed W
o to have a new lighting compan
Iowned and controlled at home.
= A resolution was adopted, commen
ing the Mankato and st. Peter Raj
;. way and Lighting Co. for demandii
: a bond within certain time fro
Collins and Williams, and recommen
ing that it hold to that position, a
if the bond has not been put up
" next Monday that proceedings be /
a gun to cancel and annul all contrac
Al with Collins and Williams, so as to
free to enter into negotiations wi
other companies or capitalists.
The committee on insurance ra
reported that itehad offers from sc
r. eral more non-board companies
az lower rates than the old rates we
a The Retail Merchants Fire InsuraI
Of Co. is in the field to take part of
is insurance.
ia The one. fourth of the membersl
+ present was found to carry over $50
4 600 of insurance. The committee y
of instructed to ascertain how much
surance is carried by the entire me
bership of the association.
IN The meeting advocated giving all
ar the insurance possible to non-boi
or companies that give a satisfactc
rate. The Mankato Citizens Fire
sociation and the Retail Merchar