The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-03

SCRAP OYER A SITE
Strenuous Contest at Albert Lea for
the Location of the Postofice
Building.
Politicians and Leaders of Society
Interested-National Guards
Not Yet Called Out.
'Special to The Journal,

Special to The Journal.
Albert Lea Mimi, Aug 3.--For week
citizens Of Albert Lea have been In the
throes of hard contest for the location
of site for the new federal building.
The proposed sites for the building are
not far apart, but the people are The
government agent has looked over the
city and the sites and made his recon-
mendation, and the government mas heio
the matter open for thirty days for add1-
tional reasons for preference of each site.
Petitions galore are circulating and the
5000 inhabitants are divided not Dy a dl-
rect line but by business and financial In
terests. Discussion Is general, but the
papers are not devoting much space to It,
fearing to develop more acrimony than IS
already displayed. Both sides say they
have enough names to locate the postoffice
on their site. It may be so, Tor many
have been SO pressed by argument, in
snuation and hints as to be unwilling to
take chances of refusing to sign opposing
petitions. The owner Of one site had the
sagacity to see his chance and raise the
price of one site $500. Immediately that
side raised the guarantee for the advance.
The side mostenergetic reported enough
names secured to secure their site, when
Immediately the other side reached into
an adjoining town for additional names
and secured ladies and men under age.
Soon the men circulating petitions were
assailed and told it would be dangerous
or damaging to their interest In the
future. One man was talked out Of the
business. Another circulating a petition
was told that If he goes into the other
territory he will be mobbed. Politicians,
leaders Of society and ex-ofhcials lend
their persuading eloquence to their in
terests. A general election would not be
likely to induce more feeling and work
and all for the distance Of three blocks.
It is not probable the national guards will
have to be called out. .
The Albert Lea Psychic society Is the
latest organization here and 1t Is differed
as follows: Regent-W. M. McAllister;
president, G. A. Ransom; vice president,
Ed w. Johnson; corresponding secretary,
Mrs. w. M. McAllister; recording secre-
tary, Miss Edith Schmitz; treasurer, Mrs.
Eda Giles; librarian, Miss Foss; executive
committee, w. M. McAllister, G. D. Cow
gill and A. McCullock.
Fifteen Of the prominent farmers Of the
vicinity Of Lerdal postoffice, Riceland
township, this county, have organized and
purchased g. Case threshlng machine out
fit and will do their own threshing regard
less of the threshermen's trust. Oats
that have been threshed did not yield
large to the acre, but the quality is excel
lent and for the amount Of straw the
yield was good. 49,
The city council will receive bids up tt
Z o'clock Monday evening. Aug. II, fol
construction a long section of the mair
sewer, to run from Spring Lake park tt
the Shell Rock river at the southeast cor.
ne rof the city. The sewer is to be made
of brick about four feet square and a
one place the cut will be about forty feet