The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-05-02
MAY SETTLE IT.
Company May Return Rights to
the City.
Proposition That a Contract be Drawn
Up--Request for Ordinance at St.
Peter Withdrawn.

If such an agreement is carried out
as was referred to at Wednesday nights
council meeting by Jay Henry Long,
there will be no further cause for agi-
tstion on the part of anyone, regard
ing the franchise of the Mankato and
st. Peter Railway and Lighting Co.
1t is proposed to draw up contract
between the company and the city,
whereby, in consideration of the
street lighting contract, the company
will convey back to the city some of
the rights granted it in the franchise.
It is understood that among the
rights to be returned to the city are
those relating to lighting and heating.
1t is proposed to limit the exclusive
commercial lighting to ten years, take
away the exclusive right to put in
hot water or steam..heating plant and
to make it possible for other electric
lines to enter the city.
The directors of the road, or some OF
them, are disposed to make all reason
able concessions to public opinion.
They have promised enough to war
rant the belief that such a contract
will be prepared as will remove all
grounds for criticism.
The Free Press has interviewed sew
eral attorneys on the question, and
the general opinion is that the COM
pany has the undoubted right to con-
vey back to the city rights received
from it, in return for consideration,
such as the lighting contract, which
latter is not granted in the franchise
itself. The city having received back
the rights it had given away, can
dispose of them to other companies If
it sees fit.
In fact. such a contract would be in
every way equal to an amendment to
the franchise, while not hampering
the negotiation of the bonds as the
recalling and amending Of the fran
chise would do. This seems to be the
best way out of an unpleasant situa
ton, and it is to be hoped that al
parties will get together in concilia
tory spirit and make it possible t.
put an end to all controversy.
Attorneys Daley, Clark and Lonl
will probably get together tomorrow
Mr.. Clark is not inclined to ocnced
as much as other directors who wer
seen by the committee, but it is be
Iieved that matters will be satisfac
toriIy arranged.
The following is from Tuesday
st. Peter Journal:
The committee appointed by the cit
council at its meeting last Monda
evening to investigate the ordinanc
submitted by the Mankato and ST
Peter Electric Railway and Lightin
Co. did not make report last eve
ming, thus acting upon the resolutio
passed by the mass meeting held Sal
urday evening, asking that the sam
be delayed. President Hixon an
Secretary Clark of the company wei
notified of the decision of the CON
mittee and telephoned the council the
inasmuch as there seemed to be Col
siderable opposition to the propose
line they would withdraw the ord
nance which had been previously PIT
scented. 3
A rumor is aaoat to the effect thu
the company will build the line
New Ulm and will ask that city fl
q franchise, but the Journal has bee
unable to verify it. ....,...
G. Amudnson, Joseph Engesse
and Phil Dick, who constituted ii
committee that went to Iowa to lot
over the electric lines at Cedar Fal
and Clear Lake, presented a sign
report which was not favorable to t.
proposed electric line. Interview
with the most substantial busine
men of the two Iowa cities were CO
tanned in the report and they large
discouraged the building of the pr
posed line, claiming the general rr
of such lines being to work adverse
the smaller place.
The statement by the Journal tn
the officers Of the company have wit
drawn the application for franchi
is true. However, there is no ia
about extending the line to New u
although it might prove more pl
ftable investment to do so, and sure
the road would be received with me
warmth than has been displayed
some of the business men of st. Pc
toward it.
The application for franchise
been withdrawn for the present,
the Free Press has been informed
officers of the company, but beyc
that they will not say.
Aid. Taylor is not sanguine {
the proposed contract between
company and city will settle matte
He believes that there are PEG
knocking the road because they
not want one constructed, and t
other objections will be raised al
the present ones are settled.
1t is tc be hoped that the alderms
surmises will not prove true, for th
is hardly a citizen that an cleo
road would not benefit.
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