The Mankato free press., 1905-02-17
Blue Earth County Delegation
Extended An Invitation.
Special Session Will Be Held
in the Near Future.
sch-ToWnsend Bill Is Endors-
ed BY the Directors.
From Mondays Daily.

From Mondays Daily.
Blue Earth county's state legislators
are to be invited by the Mankato Board
of Trade to appear before that board at
a special meeting in the near future.
This special meeting will be held when
ever it is convenient for the legislat-
ors to attend, possible next Saturday
evening or the following Monday morn
ing. At this meeting the legislators will
be asked to 60 on record as to how they
stand regarding legislation looking to
the readjustment of freight rates. The
secretary will correspond with the legis-
lators and make arrangements with
them.
Ihe matter was brought up in the re-
port of F. NJ Currier on behalf of the
committee of the board that recently
made representations to the state leg
islature in respect to the unjust discrim-
nations of the railroad freight rates
as they at present exist. Mr.. Currier
islation along these lines can reason
ably be looked for at the present ses-
sion. Senator Eberhart had said that
there was reasonable prospect of get
ting some relief. Mr.. Currier on be-
half of the board had urged the enact
ment of legislation that would give the
state railroad and warehouse commits
sion the power of establishing max
imum and minimum freight rates, which
would hold until set aside by some
court. MIR. Currier in particular COM
planned of the discrimination of the Mil
waukee railroad which is carrying
freight in southern Minnesota at
charge that is fifty per cent higher than
the same road charges in northern Iowa.
Henry E. Hance said he desired at
that special melting to have the legis-
latOrs go one record also as to their at
titude on the abolition of the legal re-
quirement of the arbitration clause in
insurance policies. Most of the other
states in the Union do not require this
clause.
Regarding National Legislation.
The board this morning also took ac-
tion with respect to the national legis-
lation now pending in the matter of
railroad rates. The secretary was in
structed to write to Minnesota's nation
al senator's, urging that the United
States senate pass the measure recently
approved by the house of representa-
tives, know as the Esch Townsend bill.
A short time ago, it will be remem-
bered, the board caused kilograms to be
sent to Congressman McCleary and the
two Minnesota senators favoring the
passage of the Quarles-Cooper bill. This
morning Secretary Taylor read the re-
plies from all three. Senator Clapp said
he was doing all he could to secure the
desired legislation in regard to rail-
road traffic. The administration meas
ure is what is likely to pass if any
legislation along the line is adopted at
all. Senator Nelson said he was Civ
ing the matter his careful attention.
Congressman McCleary said pretty
much the same as did Senator Clapp.
O,,a a,.ln
factory either to Mr.. Cooper, to Sena-
tor Quarles or to the president. Mr..
McCleary said he was in sympathy with
the desires of the president.
NJ. G. Willard at this point took oc-
casion to remark that the board had
made the very mistake against which he
warned the members when the tele-
grams in behalf of the Quarles Cooper
bill were provided for. He had urged
that no specific bill he named, but that
the board simply express itself as fav-
oring such legislation. 1t had come
out exactly as he feared.
c. n. Andrews remarked that it was
so seldom that Mr.. Willard was right
that the board should recognize it, when
he did prove to be right.
Mr.. Willard took exception to this re-
mark and intimated that he was nearly
always right. A man who was regu-
lar attendant at the board meetings
was ant TO he right on such ouost;ons
Minneopa Park Proposition.
DIR. Andrews on behalf of the Mime
opa park committee reported progress.
He called to the attention of the board
the fact that certain parties seemed to
have the idea that the money for the