The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-11-30

Mr.. Patterson said that he, was gem
orally opposed to large committees, but
there were more than seven interests in
Mankato, and he could see a good dca.
OF advantage in a large committee.
Mr.. Schmitt recalled the clubs expert
ence in getting out members, and said
that it would be even worse with
large committee.
DIR. Webster said that what was
wanted was not committee but an
organization within the club. A rate
organization is needed in Mankato more
than a Commercial club. and he ..nl1
favor having one if it would not be
waving a red flag at the railroads.
Therefore he favored having it within
The club instead of separate orgaui-
cation.
Mr.. Funk favored a committee CT
seven, and DR.. Andrews agreed with
him, and said that divided responsible
ity was bad thing.
Some Get Favors.
Mr.. Currier was asked to express MS
views, and sald that the size of TIE
committee depends upon what the club
wanted. The city unfortunately does not
have unity of interest as to freight
charges. There are men in the city who
do not want changes made, who are
getting good rates now. 1t had been
argued that it was best to go to the
railroads quietly and get favorable
rates, but he had never favored this. He
had never gotten favors from railroads,
and didn't know that others had, but
he knew that some firms in the city are
very lukewarm. If the club feels that
it ought to work for the whole city
committee of five or seven would be bet
ter than three. He suggested special
new committee to investigate the rates,
representing all interests that it was
thought advisable.
Dr. Webster moved to amend Mr..
Schmitt's motion by making the COM
mittee twelve, bat this was lost by
decided majority, and ene original mo-
ton to make the number seven, was
carried.
Good Roads Delegates.
President Hixon said that the state
good roads convention would meet in st
Paul next Monday, and the club had
been asked to send delegates. State
roads were to be built, and Mankato
was off the map, as regards these.
Mr.. Spencer said that the city was on
the map now, as the club had made
complaint, and the city had been put on.
Dr. Andrews moved that a committee
of three attend, with George NJ Palmer
as chairman.
Mr.. Palmer said that it should be a
committee of three who would go and
attend the two days meeting. Much
good roads legislation would come before
the coming session of the legislature,
and this club would have considerable
influence in regard to it without doubt.
The motion was carried, and the club
voted to pay the, expenses of the COM
mittee. ....
President Hixon called for. report
from the committee on the new state
park, and DIR. Andrews said that the
matter had been entirely settled, but he
did not know why the papers had not
been transferred. He thought that the
matter would be closed in few days.
-. Asked to Refuse Passes.
DIR. Andrews referred to what Mr..
Currier had said about some firms being
lukewarm in the fight for better rail
way rates, and said that the roads give
rebates to influential business men and
politicians, which is the great trouble.
These men are paid in some way to
keep still, and this was the reason why
no legislature in the past has ever pass
ell the right kind of laws. They have
been bought and paid for by the rail
roads. He moved that the club most
earnestly request the Blue Earth county
members of the legislature ia refuse
free passes. He said that before Jan.
l all of the members will have free
passes and will be bought. "There will
be important railway legislation up next
winter, and we don't want our members
to have free transportation" Gap
plause.)
Mr.. Funk seconded the motion and
gave an illustration of how the passes
worked the Iowa legislature.
H. E. Hance said that he would 90
one step further 1t would be well to
draft resolution containing what the
club wants the Blue Earth members of
the legislature to do next winter. In
migration, drainage and good roads laws
are needed. "a bill is being prepared to
appropriate 100000 to 81, OOO,O for the
state fair grounds. We are asleep. Let
our legislators get some money for
Blue Earth county. favor the appoint
ment of committee to see what we
want and see if our legislators can do