The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-10
DULUTH BOASTS
ABOUT CITY GAS
PRICE GREATLY REDUCED UNDER
b PUBLIC OWNERSHIP.
State Municipal League Discusses Char
tiers, Franchises and Paving, With
Railroad Question Up for Some Ar.
tillery Practice This Afternoon Du.
luth's Tar Macadam Claimed to Be
Ideal Pavement.

Municipal charters, parks and city
streets We're the topics discussed by the
Minnesota Municipal and Commercial
league in st. Paul today. The railroad
question, most vital and interesting OF
all, was taken up this afternoon with
President Stickney OF the Great West
ern as the central figure.
Mayor J. G. Armson of Saltwater
reported for the committee on munich
pal charters. Comparisons were made
of twenty Minnesota cities, in O. printed
pamphlet, showing their points of SINH
larity and difference. This was done
with reference to officials, appointive
and elective, special assessment pro-
visions, franchises and tax equalization.
Chapters were Incorporated telling Of
the initiative feature at Portland, Ore
gon, and the recall principle at Los
Angeles. The following cities reported
home rule charters: Albert Lea, Aus
tin, Barnesville, Cannon Falls, Duluth,
Fergus Falls, Hutchinson, Moorhead,
Nor aRd w Red Wing st. PaG Slfs9 S
field, Mankato, saltwater and Winona
have defeated charters. Renville, st.
Cloud and Owatonna have charters
pending.
L. A. Rosing told of the new charter
at Cannon Falls, and Leslie Welter de-
scribed the one at Moorhead.
Duluth's Experience.
Mayor NJ. B. Cullom Of Duluth told
of Duluth's experience with municipal
ownership. He said the waterworks
and gas plants had been acquired with
out cost to the city, as they are paying
interest on bonds and providing money
for extensions. Under city ownership
the cost of gas has been reduced from
So to rs cents thousand, and by the
end Of the year it will be down to 50
cents. Former Mayor T. W. Hugo fol,
system, and inviting the league to meet
| there next year in order to study the
system at close range.
Carlos Avery of Hutchinson made the
report for the committee on parks and
streets. He favored the use of scien-
tific road making methods on streets not
paved. On the subject Of street paw
ing former Mayor Hugo Of Duluth de-
clared that much money Is wasted on
fancy pavements, and that both brick
and asphalt. were out of favor IN Du
luth. Having their own granite, they
use a tar macadam, which is smooth
and stands any test. The city owns
its own mixing plant, and gets paving
at low cost. Delegates from Rec
River valley towns asked whether ar
expensive base would not be needed II
their alluvial soil. DR.. Murray of Du
luth replied that on filled streets the
common rock base had, been entirely
President Rosihg named a fnanc.
committee to audit the treasurer's re
port. 1t consists Of A. T. Stebbins 0:
Rochester, Mayor Taylor Of Mankato
DR.. Robertson Of Litchfeld, Messrs
Schilling of Winthrop and Svenson O.
Albert Lea.
No Personal Property Tax.
l ternoon, w. A. Nolan Of Grand Meado7
! urged the adoption of the taxatio
! amendment to the constitution, sub
l mitted by the last legislature. He wa
: opposed to any taxation Of persona
property, but favored registry tax o
mortgages. an income tax, an artisa
: tax on business and a poll tax. He fl
with home rule in each, county. Th
n talk provoked considerable discussion
J. but the position taken was general
9 agreed to. Henry Feig of Atwate
n urged state tax commission. A res,
:: luton, by Mayor Rehnke of Moorhea'
providing for the taxation Of railroad
for local improvements, was referred
q a committee.
y At the afternoon session today tt
: report of the committee on railroad
Il was presented by C. W. Gress Of Ca
- - non Falls. President A. B. Stickne
! Of the Great Western spoke on "Tl
- Railroads and the People, and form
- Governor S.. R. Van SAINT on 1.-THE RAJ
e road Question:. At 6 o'clock the
y will be banquet at the St. Paul Coz
1nercial club, with DR.. George H. Bird
man of Hamline as POSTMASTER. Go
re ernor johnson will be the princip
81 speaker Of the evening.