The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18

America,' says one st. Paul writer,
"should be by far the largest city in the
northwest So much for natural con-
ditions.
Some Food for Thought Here.
There is food for reflection in what
he adds of his city:
priced as ours today, and yet it is diff
cult to get capital to erect buildings or
improve property. Most Of that which
has been improved the last ten years
has been done by capitalists of eastern
cities, and some nearby men have come
here and put up buildings which are
paying net from 10 to Is per cent: For
two months a good concern, wishing to
establish a business here, has sought for
as $500 bonus for a lease, and secured
a store only few days since. This is
only one Of several cases. This pro-
prietor told me that several outside
men had offered to build a store for him.
He could not understand the indiffer-
ence Of home capital.
''Our people are apt to think these
merchants and manufacturers VIII
instead of assisting them, let them do
the work Of getting settled in strange
city without help. In other words, we
are not interested, and our Indifference
drives away many new men who are
sought after and welcomed by other
cities. 1t is the small manufactures
which pay, and our lamentable failures
in the large ones we tried to foster
suggest questions. The town is too
confounded conservative and afraid of
losing her money, and she is satisfied
with what she has, while her ambitious
rivals, thru activity and push, are
growing away from her. Yet. she is
tho gateway of Gods country And
it is true that, geographically, there is
no other city in this part OF the coun-
try SO favorably located for every kind
! Of commerce as our own beautiful city.
Possibly we rely too much on our loca-
! ton. We want more live men. We
have some who made the city what 1t
| is, and are active, energetic citizens,
but they have to help carry the dead
ones, who are timid and contented with
what they have.
Medicine for Municipal Ailment.
Some advice given in a series of
communications on the general subject
of similar municipal ailment is appli-
cable to Minneapolis just now.
1t reads: "Get hustle, improve
real estate, build houses that rent for
moderate rentals. Is there anything
safer in this world than improved real
estate7 The income may vary, but it
is an income. Insure the buildings; If
they burn or blow away, rebuild them.
The land they stand upon cannot run
away. AS the Astors have always said:
Improved real estate is there when
stocks have faded away Put up store
buildings. There is scarcely vacant
one in the city. Build small cottages
for people Of moderate means to live in.
Do not treat corporations who are
spending millions to build up the city
and themselves as if they were enemies,
and expect them to pay all the taxes
of the city. Encourage trolley lines to
all towns within 100 miles in every
direction, for the eastern cities fine
them the best retail feeders they have
Build good roads to the city limits to
meet those the county is Improving
so farmers can haul large loads to town
We want that retail trade. Have the
city and county assessors confer with
the Real Estate board and adopt cor.
rect system Of ascertaining real values
and a more equal distribution, an6
avoid assessing for more than the true
value, thus also avoiding such large
tax rate, which is calculated to keep
away newcomers and investors.
"Use every exertion to get manu-
factories here, even if the chimneys dc
smoke or whistles foot. Send out more
men all over the country tributary tc
our city to sell their products