The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-18
ATTACKED The
H. P. Jensen Does Pyrotechnic Stunt
in 8. Of 7. Meeting.
Blsmes Newspapers for Sins of 0mis.
sion and Commission.
lnsinuaies That Doodle" Is Used in
the Lighting Matter.
His Charges Are GroundIass---S!ate.
ment from Mr.. Patterson.
Prom Wednesdays Daily.

II. +. Jensen made an uncalled for at
tack upon the newspapers at the board
OF trade meeting last night and insinuat-
cd that Doodle was being used in connec-
ton with the electric lighting matter 1t
Is quite evident that Mr. Jensen was
put up to make the assault upon the
press by certain persons in this city
who have not the courage to do their
own talking, as Mr.. Jensen is usually a
man of conservative views and not given
to such utterances as were made by him
last night
Mr.. Jensen is chairman of the commit
tee to solicit money for the fund which
Is TO be used to induce manufactures to
locate in AIankato, and at the board
meeting last night he made a report to
the effect that the committee had done
nothing for the reason that the mem
bers have not had time to devote to the
work. All of the committeeman re-
quested that they be released from the
task.
President Andrews recognized the ardu-
Gus work involved in the soliciting of
funds. 1t is a disagreeable duty at best
He could not blame the gentlemen for
not wishing to serve.
Mr.. Jensen suggested that another set
Of committeeman be appointed. 1t was at
this stage of the proceedings that Mr.
Jensen broke forth in his attack upon
the newspapers, claiming that the press
was hindeTance to the work of the
committee; that the attitude of the press
on the lighting matter was not in the
interests of the people; that the news
papers were opposing the establishment
Of a new gas plant and in view of all
these things the business men were not
disposed to contribute money to assist
IN the locating of factories in this city.
Mr.. Jensen became quite wrought up and
said that the newspapers might Just as
well oppose the establishment of another
carriage factory in Mankato as to fight
a new gas plant. He thought there was
a 'nigger in the fence" and that doodle"
must have been used. He was ready to
drive the ''boodlers' from the city Just
like Jesus drove the money changers
from the temple Mr.. Jensen referred to
a communication which had appeared in
The Free Press, relative to the lighting
proposition, and declared that the writer
OF it was a coward because he had not
signed his name to the article.
A representative of the press replied
to Mr. Jensen, saying that newspapers
have not opposed the establishment of
a new gas plant in this city, but had re-
quested the council to investigate the
proposition submitted to it with view
of finding out whether it was one which
would prove satisfactory to the people.
The newspaperman stated that the press
has always worked for the city's in
= h. h. har do
voted column after column to advertis
ing the various advantages of Mankato
TO the world for which they have not
received a dollar in return, but that did
not cut any figure; the newspapers would
continue in their good work. The papers
have right to express their opinions
although they may not be in accord
with those of certain gentlemen who were
doing great deal of talking on the
street corners. The newspapers have
never refused to publish communications
from persons whose opinions on the light
inc matter were not in line with those of
the editors. The Doodle talk was all nom
sense. 1t was beneath the dignity of a
denial.
Mr.. Stewart was of the opinion that
the personnel of the committee should
be changed He did not wish to shirk
any duty imposed upon him, but he
thought that other men could be more
successful.
DIR. Andrews said the board is made up
Of busy men and it is very difficult
matter for the members to get out and
work.
On motion of DIR. Andrews the matter
was referred back to the president who
viii appoint new committee.
The committee on good roads was
given further time in which to report.
Just as the board was about to add
iourn II. A. Patterson stated that in
view of the very serious charges that had
been made by Mr.. Jensen against the
Mankato Gas & Electric Light company
he or Mr.. Jensen must withdraw from
the board if those charges are not re-
tracted.
Mr. Jensen replied that he did not
know that Doodle had been used. He
could not say that there had been any.
He hoped not.
DIR. Webster stated that charges OF
such a nature should not be made unless
they could be proven.
DIR. Andrews thought that Mr.. Jen-
sen was joking.
After some further talk on other mat
tiers the board adjourned.