The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-12-21
Hance Plan Favored by the
Commercial Club.
WILL HUSTLE FOR MONEY.
Members Discuss the Proposition at
the Meeting Last Night; His Own
Statements.
From Tuesdays Daily

From Tuesdays Daily
Nankato's Commercial club last night
discussed the electric railway PROPOSE
ton submitted by Henry f. Hance. in
dorsed the project and decided upon the
appointment OF Il committee TO solicit
stock subscriptions, but the amount OF
stock to be sold to local parties was not
decided 1t seemed to be the opinion
of the Commercial club members
,hat Mankato should not delay the
work of promoting an electric rall-
way; that the Hunter proposition
would not materialize and the safest
plan would be to proceed with soliciting
subscriptions for a trolley line to be
capitalized to Il large extent by Man
kato people. There was considerable
enthusiasm manifested by the seventy
five and more gentlemen present, and
the electric railway deal was given
good push.
Wanted to Hear Views.
President HiXon called up the matter
of the electric railway and asked the
gentlemen to express their views. H.
p Christensen stated that he had read
of man who was coming from the east
to build an electric road in Mankato.
He had found Mankato a favorable
point. He had plenty of everything
money and hackers. All he asked is
franchise. Mr.. Christensen was ske1ti-
cal He looked upon the whole thing as
Il scheme to make Mankato people dis
satisfied and merely to hold back other
propositions presented. 1--WE have got
to build the road ourselves" said Mr..
Christensen. He wanted the people of
MankatO TO give Messrs. HiXon and
lIance every assistance in their efforts
to build trolley line. Mr.. Christensen
declared that outside people have no in
terest in this city, and if anything is
done it must be done by Mankato resi-
dents. How many times have we talk
ed about this natter" asked Mr. Crist-
ensen The speaker was sure that an
electric railway would be constructed in
Mankato, and that some day this city
would be connected with st. Paul and
Minneapolis by an electric line.
Is Not a Promoter.
W. l.. HiXOn said that a few months
ago he could have furnished half of the
capital for an electric street railway, but
now he is not promoting any railway
schemes. 1t Is up to the club to take
hold of the railway matter.
Henry Hance spoke of his plans. He
said that last week everybody was en-
Unused, but since the fact became known
that eastern parties have expressed a
willingness to- build Il line and don't ask
a bonus he doubted if his proposition
would be received favorably. He didn't
care who built the road so long as one
is built. Six different engineers have
been here, looked over the city and all
have reported fayorably, but with no
results up to date as far as the eastern
people are concerned. Mr. Hance agreed
to build an electric line if Il certain
amount of stock should be subscribed
for. half to be paid when two and one
half miles of track are completed and
the balance to be paid when five miles
of the road are completed and in opera
ton. Mr. Hance was satisfied that a
line in Mankato would pay. No road
under similar conditions as those exist
ing in Mankato, has lost money from
the start. The people who have looked
into this matter thoroughly know that
railroad building material will be higher
in the spring. After the article referring
didn't think his movement would receive
much Endorsement
FavOrs for New Concerns.
In purchasing supplies a new concern
can get favOrs that an old concern can
not. The steel men and electrical men
will furnish "A nhn free of cost to plan
the lines. After this has been done the
lowest bidder will furnish the supplies
a
services at Il nominal figure to operate
the line. Mr.. Hance contended that the
railway should be owned by citizens of
Mankato He stated that the general
llaDlllty law and the short term fran
cnlses are against the construction of
electric railways in Minnesota Eastern
roads do not have these obstacles to
contend with
Mr. Hance stated that the company
will capitalize for $4,000; and we ex-
pect to build the road for less. We want
to sell as much stock here as possible
Tor this reason: If we can do this our
bonded Indebtedness will be small. leav-
ing larger equity so that when we
wish to build extensions in the coun-
try we can go to eastern capitalists
and sell the bonds without any trouble.
If | cannot get the support of the peo-
pie / am willing to step down and out
and let some one else try his hand at
electric railway building. 1 have tried
to induce eastern capitalists for the last
three years to become interested in rail-
way building here, but have failed to
find anyone. They have all said it is
for us to show our faith in the scheme
by investing money in it."
Mr.. Hance did not favor proceeding
with the electric road unless the peo
pie of the city would be willing tC
stand back of him. Mankato people
should quit buying gold bricks and in
vest their money at home.
w. ID. Willard hoped that Mr. Hanct
would go on with his proposition, but
at the same time he did not want tC
place anything in the way of Mr. Dukes
as Mankato may have to fall back or
the man from Indiana to secure a rail
road. Hanoe's scheme NAV fall through
Dukes Plan Not New One.
President HiXon considered Mr. Hauce
hustler, and with what he has in sight
he can accomplish much. "Mr. Dukes
proposition is not new to me-" said Mr.
Hixon. whenever you get something
for nothing you generally get it in the
neck. That has been my experience in
the past. II does not seem possible that
strangers would do that which we have