The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-04
Doubled BarreIed' Resolutions Adopt.
ed by Board Of Trade.
Electric Railway and Lighting Matters
Up for Consideration.
Council Is Requested Not to Make a
Long Time Contract.
Is Also Asked to Require Bonds From
Franchise Applicants.
From Wednesdays Daily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
Quoting the language used by Presi-
dent Andrews, who presided over the
meeting of the board of trade last even
ing, that organization adopted double
baueled" resolution which will be pre-
scented to the council at the meeting to
be held Friday night.
As preliminary to the session Secre-
tary Taylor read the call for the special
meeting which stated that electric rail
way and lighting matters were to be
considered that the critical moment
has arrived.
NJ. G.. Willard then called attention
to the action taken by the board last
October when it adopted resolutions re-
'questing the council not to grant any
electric lighting company a longtime
contract for lighting the streets, be-
lieving that the lighting contract should
be used as an incentive for company
to build an electric street railway in
Mankato. The events of the past year
We're gone into. Mr. Willard characteriz
ed Hord & 'keator as a disturbing ele-
ment, but he was of the opinion that if
the people stood up to the rack an cleo
trio road would be built in Mankato
within eighteen months. He had great
deal of faith in this proposition. The CON-
mittee has had an interview with Thomas
Lowry, and that gentleman stated that
he had on hand all he could attend to-
He told the committee that theirs was
a home proposition, and home people
should take hold of it, which Mr.. Will
ard claimed they have done. MIR. Will
ard stated that an investigation has
been going on all summer. He had inter
viewed a gentleman who has returned
from Philadelphia recently. This party
stated that now is just the time to Sc
cure capital with which to finance the
electric road. The time is ripe for ac-
tion.
President Andrews called attention to
the fact that there was nothing before
the board to act upon and until there
was something definite discussion was
not really in order.
Resolutions Were introduced.
DIR. j. W. Andrews then introduced the
following resolutions:
Recognizing that Mankato needs, at
this time, for the development of the
city the construction and operation of
other one thing, and recognizing the fact
that with Municipal and commercial
lighting, an electric street railway can
be made to pay; and believing that
without the help of these it is doubtful
if Mankato can secure the construction
of an electric street railway, therefore,
be it
Resolved. By the board of trade of
H. - ,l-o@< %lo4 l,o
hope, and as citizens and tax payers, urge
upon the council that no lighting con-
tract for municipal lighting be given to
any company upon any condition, or
for any length of time that will jeopar-
die the construction and operation of an
electric street railway in the city of
Mankato:
Resolved, That this resolution should
not be construed as prejudicial in any
way to the Mankato Gas & Electric Light
company.
Resolved, That if said Mankato Gas
& Electric Light company will agree to
construct and operate an electric street
railway, in the city of Mankato, in con-
nection with commercial and municipal
lighting, the board of trade stands ready
to most heartily cooperate with said
company, not only in securing munich
pal lighting at fair compensation. but
also commercial lighting.
Resolved, That this board most earn
estly recommends to the city council
that no contract, or franchise be given
to any individual, company, or corpora
tion, for any length of time, without a
substantial deposit with city treasurer,
by bond or its equivalent, guaranteeing
to the city of Mankato the fulfllment of
any contract or agreement entered into
with said city, and that the said guaran-
tee be held only as evidence of good
faith, and shall be fully and wholly re-
turned to the individual company or cor
poration when the conditions of contract
shall have been complied with"
NJ. G. Willard offered the following
amendment:
'Resolved, That no franchise be grant
ed to any individual or company for an
electric lighting plant without a provis-
ion therein that the same shall inure to
the use and benefit of an electric railway
and power company which may be or
ganized and carried forward in good
faith"
At the conclusion of the reading of the
above DIR. Andrews moved the adoption
of the resolutions.
Disclaim Any Prejudice
No one appeared ready to discuss the
resolutions and Dr. Andrews took the
floor to say that it has been reported
that there is an unnecessary amount of
prejudice existing against the present
electric lighting company. He wanted
it understood that there was no pre-
iudice in the board of trade. The prop
osition made by the old company is a
good one, but he does not want that COM
pany to stand in the way of an electric
railway.
Thomas Hughes had more interest in
a railway that could be extended into
the country. Such railway could do
more good for Mankato than one in the
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