The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-05-06
Business Men Take Up Trolley Line
Matter in Earnest.
Committee Is Appointed to Look Into
Proposition Thoroughly.
Good Highways Will Also Result From
Associations Labors
Geo. E. Brett Lays Foundation for Fund
to Prosecute Work.
From Thursdays Daily.


Last nights meeting of the Mankato
Business Mems association was one OF
the most largely attended ami most live
ly and interesting that have been held
this year. About twenty members were
present In the absence of the president
the gavel was welded by II. P. Jensen,
the vice president
Secretary Ogle presented communi-
cation from the picnic committee of the
local camp of Modern Woodmen, signed
by the secretary of the committee, L. j.
Jones. The latter stated that the
committee was making acknowledgements
. lions for the entertainment of the citi-
zens and guests of the city on the day
of the big picnic. The association was
earnestly requested to assist in the rails
ing of more funds to carry out the pro-
gram that had been prepared.
Mr.. Ogle said he understood the COM
mittee would need about $500 more. He
supposed the committee wished those
who had already subscribed, to increase
the amounts of their subscriptions.
On motion of Mr.. Jorgensen the COM
munication was placed on file and the
association expressed itself as favorable
to the project of raising additional funds
and giving all possible aid and encour-
agement to the picnic. No specific
pledges were made, however.
Secretary Ogle read communication
to Louis Janda by the management of
a shoe factory, relative to the location
of the factory in Mankato. The letter
stated that this city was desirable 10
cation ;that the plant of the shoe concern
was valued at about $S,OOO; that the
managers would like working capital;
and that they desired the citizens of
Mankato to subscribe $4,000 and take
stock.
A motion was passed instructing the
secretary to correspond with some reli-
able party or business house located in
the same city in which this shoe concern
is now located, and ascertain if possible
the business standing and reliability
of these shoe people.
Hans Jorgensen spoke of the Bower
lighting proposition. 1t might be all
right but he was afraid that the new
gas plant was going to prove dream,
castle-in-the- air, just as the street rail
way propositions have turned out. Most
of the other members present at the
meeting seemed to feel in the same way.
They still hoped, but their hopes were
not very strong.
Secretary Ogle was asked what he
had done with reference to the PROPOSE
ton made by Hord & Keator, offering to
receive the money of the people of Man
kato for the construction of their street
railway. Mr.. Ogle replied that he had
exercised divine prerogative and quiet
ly and coolly ignored the letter.
81. P. Christensen said it was best to
think nothing of Hord & Keator, but let
them alone altogether. If the people of
Mankato want street railway, they
must build it themselves. That is the
only way it can be done. Mr.. Christen-
sen went on to say that he knew of
hundreds of families who would move
to Mankato, if the city only had street
railway, making possible the building up
of the outskirts of the city.
The people of Mankato should them
selves take hold of the street railway
project. If line should be run to a
neighboring town, such as st. Clair
the farmers would appreciate enough OF
their interests to donate the right of
way through their land. The bonds
could be easily foated if the affair
should be carried on in the right way
An electric street railway would double
the city's population in short time