The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-08-12
FRANCHISE IS GIVEN
Council Unanimously Passes
Street Railway Ordinance
The Ordinance Is Discussed at
Length by Both Sides.
No Changes Made, Aside From
Outlined Yesterday
H. E. Hance Introduces an Or
dinance for Himself.
From Saturdays Daily.

From Saturdays Daily.
The council last night unanimously
passed the ordinance granting a fran
chise to the newly organized Mankato
Railway, Light and Power company,
which is the outgrowth of M. G. Will
ards efforts to get street railway and
suburban line for NTankato. As two of
the aldermen, Messrs. Roemer and Nc
Kinley, were out of the city it required
every vote to pass the ordinance.
The council chamber was crowded and
people stood looking in at the windows
and doors, intently watching the pro-
ceedings on a subject of intense inter
est to the citizens of Mankato. H. E.
Hance and his eastern men were pres
emit, and the ordinance was fully discuss
ed by the representatives of both
moves. Mr.. Hance presented an ordi-
nance along the same lines as the other,
granting himself an exclusive franchise
to construct and operate street rail
way line, and it was referred to the COM
mittee on ordinances. Whether it will
ever leave the hands of the committee
remains to be seen.
The committee on ordinances present
ed the ordinance granting a franchise to
the Mankato Railway, Light and Power
company, and it was given its first read
ing. It contained several changes and
amendments that were outlined by The
Free Press yesterday.
At the conclusion of the reading, c. N.
Andrews arose and made application for
a street franchise similar to the one
that had been read, to be issued to
Henry E. Hance.
A. o. Bberhart said that his people had
no objection to this franchise being
granted, but it should be received in
regular order.
Aid. Jorgensen referred to the action
of the recent citizens meeting, in favor
ing the Willard company, and said that
in view of that action it was too bad
that the matter was not ended there.
He therefore moved that the rules be
suspended and the ordinance just read
be given ats second reading. This
was seconded.
Willard Contract Analysed.
Mr.. Andrews said that street railway
enterprises are-springing up rapidly. MIR.
Hance's proposition was the first to be
openly preached, though Mr.. Wizards
was commenced the first. The board of
trade appointed Mr.. Willard chairman of
a committee TO secure street railway,
and voted him $780, 1t was thought
that Mr.. Hance would receive the as
sistance of the committee. He went
ahead with his arrangements, all of
which is matter of public notoriety.
Then Mr.. Willard on July 30th butted
in and organized company. If his pro-
ject, can carry through, Mr. Andrews said
that he would be heartily glad. He has
good men with him, whose faith can
not be questioned. Although the Will
ard project was heralded as an inter
position of Providence, yet it contains
project in the past will probably fan,
and for the same reason-because the So
called contract does not amount to any
thing. Mr.. Andrews then turned his
attention to this contract. The eastern
people only agree to undertake to f.
nance" the project. 1t is the old Collins,
the old promoters proposition. Mr..
Hance has always taken a stand against
enterprises of this character. The pre-
ferred stock and bonds of the Willard
company. $4,000, are the valuable
part, and thss is the cost of the seven
miles of road. Back of this a stock is
sue of $550,G60 is to be exploited. A
mushroom company with a capital of
$4,000 was organized. The bonds are
to net the company s. per cent. 1t is
not said at what price they will be under
written 1t was underwriting which
recently added to J. P. Morgan's wealth.
Stock is TO go with the subscriptions for
bonds, which looks like bonus. There
is fifteen per cent or $4,000 for the
contractor, also, while Mr.. Hance al
lows but five per cent for this purpose.
The Willard proposition also calls for
free will Offering of subscriptions to
bonds. This will be used as club on
the community when the other PROPOSE
ton is killed off. Already some Skin
mishing has been done along this line.
There is no contract. Mr.. Andrews said
that he would not believe that the COM
pany are such a set of "chumps" as to
turn over $1,000 of Mankato money on
such a contract as this.
Mr.. Andrews Not Hostile.
Mr.. Andrews said he was not hostile
to the Willard company but wished it
success sincerely, but he looked upon it
as merely promoting scheme, the same
as the Collins DEAL He was presenting
a franchise not in opposition to the
other. We do not want the other given
any preference, he said. The action
of the citizens meeting should be given