The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-04
Had Recommended Equal Division Be.
tween Thirteen Agents.
The Unlucky Number Proved Hoodoo
for the New Men.
Board Adopts New Course OF Study
Subject 10 Alterations.
From Thursdays Daily.


The most important business transact
ed by the school board last night was the
adoption of course of study, but the
subject that took up the most time to
consider was the division of insurance
among the different agencies in the city.
All of the members were present except
Mrs. Smith and Mr.. Comstock.
Capt. Keysor reported that the re-
pairs on the different buildings are prac-
tically completed except the roofs,
and they will be done by the end of the
week. The curbing along the Union
school grounds will be done in two or
three days, as force of men is at work
there. The city will fill in the boulevard.
Mr.. Hughes reported for the committee
that was appointed to make new divis-
ion of the insurance on school property
among the agents, that the committee
had instructed the secretary to divide the
insurance equally between thirteen
agents who had applied for it. AS there
is now $4,000 of insurance carried in
all, this division would give each about
So 500. The division was to be made
gradually as the policies expired. The
committee had instructed the secretary
W hotilN ali VI Jilc dSSilSlCo W IdloC thC
amount of concurrent insurance allowed
on the high school building from $4,000
to $4,000, and on the Pleasant Grove
building from $6,4O0 to $4,000
Mr.. Coughlan said that he was MEM
Der of the committee, but could not at
tend the meetings. He did not think
that there was any justice in the divis-
ion proposed, and he was opposed to it.
1t was not fair that men who came to
the city year or two ago should be
given the same amount of insurance as
those who have lived here for years.
President Davis said that there was
nothing in the minutes to show that the
committee had power to give instruc-
lions to the secretary, although it was
his recollection that it was given that
power.
Mr.. Hughes said that the committee
was given power to act, because some of
the policies were expiring.
Capt. keysor moved that the ma
jority report of the committee be ac-
cepted.
Mr.. Fletcher said that he was in SYM
pathy with Mr.. Coughlan's remarks.
There were two former members of the
board present, who had done faithful
service, and the board had insured with
them for years. 1t would be unjust
to take any of the insurance from them
and give it to men who are here today
and not here tomorrow.
John n. Hall addressed the board and
said that four or five of the insurance
men had been in the city for over forty
years and had paid taxes and had help
ed build all of the school buildings. For
thirty years he had not had any benefit
from the schools, but had paid taxes all
of that time. The old agents are entitled
to the insurance more than those who
came to the city year or so ago. 1t
would be difficult to readjust the in
surance without loss to the district. The
state board of control did it and it cost
the Mankato normal 800. He suggest
ed that the new men be given the new in
surance. Insurance agencies are chang
ing, and the men and not the companies
should be considered. The county does
not divide its insurance equally. One of
the agents has $4,000 of boiler insurance
and should not be counted in the list
for fire insurance.
H. P. Christensen said that he felt like
Mr.. Hall, and he would like to renew two
policies that expired the following day.
MIR. Davies said that the committee
had not placed all of the insurance agents
in the city on the list, but only those
who were in the insurance and real es-
tate business. The committee had not
gone to the assessor to see how much
taxes each one paid Some of the agents
who now have little or no insurance have
lived in the city for several years and
have invested their money here and have
been prominently identified with the
city. He saw no other just way but to
divide the insurance as nearly equally as
possible. Under the division, Messrs.
Hall and Christensen would receive 49,
700 to $500 each.
E. M. Zuel said that he and Mr.. john
son had been in business in Mankato for
four years, and had never asked until
now for any insurance, although they had
secured some on the normal school two
years ago. They were tax payers and
paid quite good deal, and were entitl-
ed to as much insurance as the others.
Mr.. Hughes said that there would be
no loss to the district, as none of the
policies were, to be cancelled. 1t was
hard to find any other basis for dividing
the insurance than the committee has
fixed upon. If it was to be length of
residence in the city, how many thou
sands was to be allowed for each five or