The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-08-12

cision of the meeting. If his proposition
was accepted, he will build to the lakes,
and city line would be running before
winter.
DIR. Andrews said that if necessary a
road could be built in week by the
Willard company, if cheap material is
used, but it is not intended to use
cheap material.
Work of Business Men.
w. N. Plymat said that the people of
the city are united that only one rail-
road is wanted. A choice must be made, or
we will have no railroad. The board of
lected committee of fifteen representa-
tive business men to bring about the
building of a road. 1t was the two bodies
acting through the committee that
brought about the so-called Willard prop
osition. 1t is hard thing to get a road,
and we must be united. just as the
work of the committee was about to
meet with success, somebody else butt
ed in. If they would have kept out be-
fore, they can keep out now. The citi-
zens' meeting was supposed to mean
something. The. aldermen should weigh
we'll the meatter before disregarding the
recommendations of that large, represen-
tatire meeting. Help along the men who
have pinned $4,000 to thor faith, for
if you do not you will not get road.
VIM. B. Nelson, engineer'at the Stand
ard brewery, addressed the council, and
spoke about promoters. The Willard
franchise does not specify anything of
what is expected. But they want to
bar out reputable contractor, ready
to 60 to work in thirty days. The gen.
tlemen say they have spent $4,000; they
will spend $4,000 more and will have
no road. They will monkey around for
five years with promoters. Mr.. Hance
has been working hard for three months,
spending his money. If you turn down
your good offers you will never have a
car line The Willard company should
come up with their specifications in de-
tail. Mr.. Hance has worked hard and
produced his men. In three months
time we will be riding here on street
railways. We will build the road for
five per cent. We do not have to go
out in the country and sell 100000
bonds. You do not catch suckers in
the country as much as in the city.
Ordinance Goes Through.
The motion to suspend the rules was
carried unanimously, and the ordinance
was given it's second reading.
Mr. Eberhart stated that the best of
appliances are called for, and the
council is to be the judge. Mr.. Willard
said that the weight of the rails would
be sixty pounds. The discussion devel
oped the fact that the girder rail is
better than T rails, where there are
macadam or pavements, and is used in
the larger cities. The cost is about the
same The franchise provides that the
rails used shall be satisfactory to the
council.
The ordinance was read a third time,
two slight amendments having been
made. 1t was then adopted by unani-
nous vote.
The regular order of BUSINESS was re-
|sumed, and the ordinance presented by
Mr.. Hance was taken up, and Aid. Klein
schmidt moved that it be referred to the
committee on ordinances.
Mr.. Willard opposed this, saying that
Ia menace ought not to be hung over the
effort of his company.
Mr.. Andrews said that the ordinance
just passed ties up the city for eighteen
months. Hord & Keator did not object to
other ordinances being passed. Why not
take up ordinances as they come? If
the other company say they will start
work within sixty days, we will with
draw our ordinance.
Mr.. Willard replied that the other peo-
pie had no contract.
The motion was carried, which caused
considerable applause