The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-01-03
THAT ELECTRIC RAILWAY.
A Largely Attended Meeting at Mime.
apoIis Friday Develops Interest.
All Want the Line Built, But Think
That Col. Chase Demands
too Much.

The meeting called at Minneapolis
Friday by parties interested in
the proposed electric line from Man
kato to st. Cloud was exceptionally
well attended. In fact nearly every
town along the projected right-of- way
sent representatives, and an inter-
change of views on the Importance of
such a line developed a unanimity of
sentiment that can be interpreted in
no other way than that the people are
earnest in their wish to push the pro-
ject along.
The meeting was organized by the
election of Senator Severite of Hutch
inson as chairman and Alvah Eastman
of st. Cloud as secretary.
Mr.. Rooms of New Auburn, who has
taken a great interest in the construc-
ton of an electric line, made a brief
statement of what he had done in the
matter. He went over the proposed
line with Col. Chase and that gentle
man had assured him that the line
was feasible and could be made to be
profitable to the builders and opera
tors. He felt, however, that 40 instead
of 90 feet for right of way was sufh-
Gent. He also said that his informa-
ton after talking to a good many far
mers, was that the right of way would
not be difficult to get. Mr.. Rooms did
not hesitate to, say that he felt that
the request of Col. Chase for bonuses
was too stiff.
During the forenoon, G. N. Andrews
of Mankato and 9. S. Benson of st.
Cloud had a very satisfactory inter-
view with Engineer Birch of Mime
apolis, who has given a good deal of
study to, and investigation of, electric
railroads. Mr.. Andrews said in brief
that Mr.. Birch estimated that it would
cost S15, 900 per mile for the roadbed,
ties and rails, or a total of 81, 500, 600
from Mankato to st. Cloud. For power
houses, three in number, $500, 900,
! and 5000, 900 more for rolling stock,
making a grand total of So, 600, 900 for
| the road complete for operation. Mr..
| Birch told his in~terviewers that a road
| of this kind should be built substan-
| TALLY and with the three rail system.
He would not think of using the trolley.
1t wouldTtake from two to five cleo
trio engines to take care of the freight,
and these engines would cost about
$15, 600 each. An enigne will handle
twenty loaded freight cars, and the
speed attained will about equal steam.
1t would, in his judgment, take from
seven to ten passenger cars to handle
the business and these cars should be
propelled with storage battery, and
not with engines. Large cars such al
weT'would want will cost about 81, OO(
each. These items, however, are in
cluded in the 50, 900, 900 estimate men
toned above. Mr.. Birch looks upoI
rural electric lines as the coming
means of travel between country
points, and looks to see great develop
ment in this regard in the future, a
the cost of operating is much less thai
steam, and there are advantages to b
had in electric lines that cannot be Sc
cured through steam roads.
The town of New Sweden was no
represented, but Mr.. Berkey ofssGaylor
had telephone communication wit
Mr.. Nelson of that town, who said t
him the people of New Sweden fel
that Col. Chase asked too much in tn
way of bonus. The people, however
were willing to join with the othe
towns and do their share.
{, DIR. Jones of Gaylord, said the citi
zens of his town were anxious for tn
road and cou d be depended upon to d
their share. A mass meeting of citi
zens had been held and was largely al
tended. While Gaylord could not vot
bonds, the people stood ready to joi
hands with the towns along the pre-
iected route and do their full share
!, He felt. the same as others had ez
pressed themselves, that Col. Chas
was too stiff in his requirements.
!, Mr.. Mansfield of New Auburn sal
his people would no doubt do thei
part. His people wanted a railroad
and wanted it badly.
;. Mr.. w. E. Harrington, a banker {
Hutchinson, said the people of his cit
! we're in favor of the project, if e.
pressed sentiment was to be accepte
{ as a guide. He considered that tn
detailed proposition from Col. ChaE
was subject to revision and modifcs
. tion. There were certain prelimina1
expenses that must be met and take
care of by the towns, but before b
could consistently enter very deepl
, into the project Mr.. Harrington sal
+ he should want to know somethin
more about Col. Chase and his fnal
cial backing than had thus far bee
: vouchsafed. He did not want to
: understood as questioning the colonel
: responsibility, but as the people hs
: been "played horse with on n
. two former deals, they had a right
. know whether business was meant
q this n or not before too much pu
'e licity had been given.
Mr.. E. E. McGrew of Dassel sa,
that he came to ecure what light
could from the sparks that mig
\ emanate from the live wire along t.
4 limo His ~naonlashad talked the matt