The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-01-29
ANDREWS TO THE B. OF T.
New President Of Organization Makes
Some Suggestions.
He Advises Cooperation on The Part
Of the People.
To the End That Mankato Will Forge
to the Front.
Mr.. Currier Tells Directors of Recent
Rate Hearing.
From Tuesdays Daily.

From Tuesdays Daily.
DR.. Andrews, the newly elected presi-
dent of the board of trade, at this morn
ing's regular meeting read a lengthy and
intensely interesting address. DR.. An
drews thanked the board for the honor
conferred upon him and outlined the
work of the board for the coming year.
He first traced the history of the board
from the date of it's first organization on
Sept. l6, 1866, under the presidency of
John III. Barr. Since that time the board
had accomplished much for the growth
and enrichment of the city of Mankato.
Among its achievements in whole or in
part were the successful completion of
the Mankato and Wells railway, the ex-
tension of the Cannon Valley road (now
the Great Westerly into the city, the
center of the city to the river front,
the advertising of the city in the east
ern papers, and the building of the
Saulpaugh hotel. The board of trade
had indeed talked of a great, many
things that it had not accomplished and
had thus been the subject of much ad-
verse criticism. This criticism was en-
tirely unfounded. 1t was absured to
think of the board carrying out every
project that it ever took up for dis
cussion.
What the board of trade can do for
the city of Mankato in the future must
depend very largely upon the support
given the officers by the business and
professional men of the city. Among the
needs of the city was second bridge
from Nicollet county. The Main street
bridge was not adequate as the travel
was always hampered by the passing
trains. Another need was a city mar
ket for the country trade. Mankato
further needed more dwelling houses
that might be rented at reasonable fig
ures. During the past three years Man
kato people had lost large amounts of
money in enterprises outside of the
city. This money, if invested in the
city instead, would have realized good
profits for the investors and benefited
the city immensely. Mankato also need
ed an electrical street railway. More
manufacturing plants should be induced
to locate here. The absence of good
country roads was one of the greatest
drawbacks to the development of the
city that now confronted its business
men.
DR.. Andrews dwelt at some length on
the proposed north and south railway
that now seemed to be almost an &C
complished fact and which the city
should encourage in every possible way
as the new road would be of incalcul-
able value to the local business inter
ests.
In conclusion the president paid a trib-
ute to the departed presidents of the
board, John II. Barr, John A. Willard,
John F. Meagher, John c. Wise, ST., and
James Shoemaker.
Secretary Taylor read letter from
o. C. Gregg, superintendent of the
State Farmers Institute, relative to the
holding of the institute in Mankato. Mr..
Gregg spoke very encouragingly on the
subject and said he was in hopes that
all things would be favorable to the
holding of the institute for Blue Earth
county in this city.
A report was presented by the COM
mittee appointed to look into the Omaha
railway company's park proposition, the
committee consisting of John Klein, Con-
rad Kleinschmidt and J. A. Hielscher
The report in full has already been pub
lished in The Free Press.
The report was placed on file.
Secretary Taylor suggested that bet
ter location for a park would be along
the Guenther Ravine road His sugges-
ton was referred to the same commit
tee.
Mr.. Currier gave quite a lengthy re-
port of his experience at the hearing on
the Cannon Falls rate case, held at
st. Paul on Jan. II before Mr.. Prouty,
one of the members of the Interstate
Commerce commission. The testimony
will be Transcribed and printed. The
matter will be argued before the com
mission and perhaps decision will not
be Forthcoming before spring.
The reason assigned by the railroad
representatives for the admitted in
equality of rates was the fact that this
reduction for the twin cities was neces-
STATED by the water competition. Mr..
Currier told the board that he could not
see why this water competition should
not have the same effect of lowering
rates up the Minnesota river for Can
non Falls anu other points.
Mr.. Currier took the position that the
agitation for fairer rates must be con-
tinued and that the best means of do