The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-04

L nOU Ue CuO Ou llOln CuCuPCI POWCl duu
lighting.
Oscar Schmidt was of the opinion that
| the only way to secure an electric rail-
way was to connect it with lighting
plant. He referred to the experience of
the past. A company with which he was
connected attempted to secure capital,
and the representatives of the concern
were confronted with the information
that the paying end of the line was that
which would reach into the country.
The city end would not pay.
DIR. Andrews said that the resolutions
could include something in reference to
country lines and power.
President Andrews did not appear to
be fully informed as to the purpose of
| the meeting.
Mr.. Willard explained that two COM
panies were attempting to secure con-
tract to light the city, and it was the
purpose of the board of trade to again
place itself on record as opposing the
granting of a contract to any company
| that might stand in the way of an cleo
trio railway.
President Andrews remarked that the
resolutions looked to him like strad-
die.
This brought Dr. Andrews to his feet
| and he replied that there was no straddle
about them. The council is to have a
| meeting on Friday night and the light
ing matter will most likely be brought
UP for consideration The object of the
resolutions is to call the councils atten-
ton to the fact that the people want no
action taken which would head off an
Il =. h. ho rI
| to impress upon the council the necessity
of requiring bond from anyone who
requests franchise for an electric
railway or lighting plant. DR.. Andrews
expressed himself forcibly upon this
point. Too many persons have been
granted electric railway franchises and
| they have done nothing. He don't want
this sort of thing to happen in the flu
ture. Let the parties who ask for fran
chise put up bond in order to insure
faithful performance of the agreement
they may enter into with the city There
has been altogether too much horse-play
already.
Doubled Barreled Resolution.
President Andrews said it was a
doubled barreled resolution-one charge
directed against the old company and
one directed against the proposed new
concern.
DIR. Andrews wanted it to be under
stood that the board is against those who
come along with fattering propositions,
but are unable to carry them out Dol
lar gas would be good thing if it can be
secured, but they do not want to lose
sight of the electric railway proposition.
Mr. Willard stated that the board of
trade has no hostility against the old
company, but there is much hostility
against that company throughout the
city and that hostility cannot be over
come. Mr.. Willard was satisfied that
there will be another electric lighting
plant established here and he believed in
taking advantage of it's Inauguration by
the city a railway, also power.
j. E. Reynolds advanced the opinion
that an electric railway in Mankato
would not prove to be a paying invest
ment and in view of that fact he could
not blame the present company for not
wanting to invest thousands of dollars
in a proposition of5that character.
There are people in Mankato who want
an electric railway, but they are equally
as anxious that someone else shall put
up the money for it. If there are men
in this city who have faith in such an
enterprise let them come forward and put
up their money, 60 in with the present
lighting company and build line Mr.
Reynolds was of the belief that the Man.
kato Gas & Eleceric Light company
would join with the people here and
build a railway. Possibly railroad in
to the country might be made to pay.
Mr.. Reynolds stated that the present
company has expended considerable
amount of money on its plant and would
expend more if it should be awarded the
lighting contract. 1t is the only company
that has expended any money in Man
kato although other companies organized
have done a great deal of talking. Mr..
Reynolds explained that while he does
not own any property in Mankato he
is as much interested in having the
city grow and prosper as were those per-
sons who own large amounts of property.
Many people in private will agree that
an electric railway in Mankato would
not pay dividend, no matter how eco
nomically managed.
Mr.. Reynolds was glad to hear that
the board was not prejudiced against the
Mankato Gas & Electric Light company,
but at that some pretty strong insinua-
tions against that corporation have been
thrown out by members of the board.
Mr.. Willard claimed that an electric
railway would pay, electrical experts
in the past few months having told him
| so. He had been informed that the St.
Peter proposition was fine one.
Mr. Reynolds replied that electrical
experts were ready to say most any
thing in order to sell their machinery and
appliances. Electrical experts have
stated that plant capable of furnish
ing street and all the commercial light
| ing, could be built in Mankato for $40,-
600, but it has been demonstrated in
| other towns that it cannot be done at
such figure.
L. P. Hunts Conservative View.
President Andrews called upon L. P.
Hunt to express himself upon the ques-
| ton before the board. Mr.. Hunt stated
| that he did not feel that he had right
to say much. He said that he had no
money to invest in an electric railway
even if he had faith that such an
enterprise would prove to be paying
one. 1t is the history of electric rail-
ways in small towns that they do not
pay. In the Minnesota towns outside of
Minneapolis and st. Paul the railways
are not doing well, and most of them
have been in the hands of receivers. In
Winona, a town twice as large almost as
Mankato, the electric railway is barely
paying expenses. In st. Cloud no money
| ic rnado hn tho oornnanu tho carS rim