The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-19

over the state. We must make fierce
old racket and it mustn't be all noise,
either. We've got to work through
the railroad and warehouse commits
sion and let them see that we mean
business. Make 'em take the lowest
prevailing rate in the state at present
and endeavor to have it applied in all
cases. Make them earn the money
they're drawing. Let them see we
mean business such as they have not
been used to-"
The existing freight rates are with
out doubt excessive throughout the
state of Minnesota" said Philip Liesch,
of New Ulm, and the prevailing SEN
timent which has been so very freely
expressed here today by the delegates
shows plainly that the people of the
state are thoroughly aroused. The
rates on grain, lumber, and coal are,
TO say the least, exorbitant. 1 am IN
favor of using every means possible
to secure more equitable freight rates
throughout the state"
The morning session was held at the
Merchants hotel, but upon the invita-
ton of the Commercial club, the aft
ernoon meeting was in the rooms of
that organization. There were seven
ty-five delegates present.
Organization Completed.
During the morning session L. A.
Rosing was appointed temporary
chairman, and Carlos Avery, of Hutch
inson, secretary pro tenn.
Mr.. Rosing briefly outlined the aims
and objects of the proposed association
which would be, in fine, to seek to have
amended the present negotiable
freight rates and insurance rates
throughout the state and the develop
ment of several sections of the COM
monwealth will be encouraged.
Messrs. ]. S. Pardee, Red Wing; C.
d. Griffith, Sleepy Eye; M. T. McMa-
hon, Fergus Falls; J. A. Eckstein, New
Ulm, and j. G. Armson, Saltwater, were
appointed a committee on permanent
organization, with power to draft the
constitution and bylaws, to be pre-
sented at the Afternoon session.
During the interval consumed by the
committee to draft the constitution and
bylaws, the delegates discussed the
merits of municipal ownership of cleo
trio lighting plants and other indispen-
sable town and city institutions. The
mayors of New Ulm, Fergus Falls and
Shakopee were present and told of the
experiences or those towns with plants
that are publicly owned and operated.
They declared that under no considera-
ton could the taxpayers Of their towns
be induced to go back to the private
systems. They stated that not only did
they have better service, but that it
was direct source of a treasury sur
plus.
The constitution of the proposed per-
manent organization was read by
Chairman j. A. Eckstein. In epitome it
was as follows: The organization was
to be known as the Municipal and
Commercial League of Minnesota /:
that as soon as possible it was to have
upon its roll call a representative from
every town in the state. If possible 1t
should have a delegate from every
public organization in every town; for
instance, each town may send as MANY
delegates as it chooses; if a commercial
club or similar body exists in a town,
it also could send delegates, and each
organization which is devoted to OBJ
jects of public nature may send its
delegates. The towns and organiza-
| tons are limited by the provisions of
the constitution to one vote.
Rosinq Is President.
L. A. Rosing, of Cannon Falls, was