The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-05
OTHER PEOPLES NOTIONS
The Minnehaha Pavilion.

To the Editor Of The journal:
MY attention has ben called to com
muntcat1on in one of your morning con-
temporaries signed ~, - to which 1 wish
to reply. The writer discusses the action
OF the park board at its last meeting in
granting a ten years privilege to sell re-
freshments at Minnehaha Park to Mr..
Barnet. The objections are:
First-That the concession to the park
board for this privilege is merely nom
inal.''5
Second-That bids were not asked, and
Third-That there were others who
would pay more for the Franchise thai.
Mr.. Barnet has agreed to pay.
Permit me to say in answer to those
objections that Mr.. Barnet's agreement
binds him to turn over pavilion which
! would cost to construct 800 in good
| condition at the end of ten years. which
Is rental Of $1,15O per year and interest
on the Investment. In addition he turns
over the pavilion as soon as finished to the
Iark board, taking a lease, agreeing to
keep 1T insured, in good state of repair,
and to furnish well and amply light it
throughout, and to subject himself to the
| supervision of the park board as to the
general conduct Of his business in that
building and the quality and prices of re
1reshments furnished. This is certainly
more than a nominal considerable
| AS to bids for the privilege, it is proper
TO say that the park board is not supposed
to be so much interested in a small in
crease in yearly rental as in having a
| competent man whose guarantee, to sue
cessfully and decently manage the bust.
ness Is worth something. Mr. Barnet has
demonstrated worthiness beyond cues
| t1on His management of the pavilion al
Harriet, at Wildwood and at Como prove
hlm to be not only a capable man for tht
position, but good citizen who Is inter
ested in making desirably popular oul
beautiful summer resorts. ~ So. e.
| ALSO at the expiration of his lease the
pavilion reverts entirely to the parl
board. 49,. :
do not know who else would like t,
get the privilege or how much they ar,
willing to pay for it, but can vouch fo
the general desire that Minnehaha park b,
rid of the temptat ions to vicious peopl.
which would result, in my opinion, should
4 Mr. Barnet open and conduct an attract
1 i've place.. - sln :
t.. Other cities of this country let thos
prlvlleges for much less money: than il
/ offered Minneapolis and in every instanc,
4 they consider as Of paramount Important,
the character and ability of the men t,
whom they grant such franchises =
MIR. Barnet, belive, will so conduct til,
proposed pavilion that the profits of I'll,
other places now at Minnehaha park will
I be greatly reduced and the trouble in con
ue'i.i'iie ollu securing possession or TN
land upon which they stand will be mucI
less. For years we have waited for pa
vilion at Minnehaha park and now that ",
are able to get it,, and ON such favorabl
terms * and every other citizen in
terested in our beautiful city and it
splendid park system, is cordially in
vited to join in taking the first step to
wards giving US a respecta BILE pavilion .
such proportions as may be adequate 70
:, the accommodations of the people :
T. = VIM. r. Dobbyn. !.