The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-03-01
EXPOSITION BILL
Efforts to Hurry Its Passage In Sen
ate Fails.

From Thursdays Daily.
Senator J. Nj. Hackney of llamllne,
author of the bill for Il semi centen-
NAL celebration of the anniversary OF
Minnesota statehood, today made
lengthy speech explaining the measure.
He told how, in the long run, the 81
100000 the bill proposes to raise
through the states credit, is but an
investment i'll greater part OF neces-
sary improvements for future state
fairs.
Following the speech, Senator Sew
ard remarked he had almost been per
suaded to vote for the measure by
Senator Hackney's eloquence, but
thought it should go to the finance
committee. Action, however, was de-
ferred till tomorrow.
Senator Hackney said in part
"Two years ago the legislature au-
thorized appointment of COMMISSION
on celebration of the fiftieth anniver-
sary of the state. This COMMISSION
has reported to the governor, as you
know. and has consulted with the man
agement as well of the state fair.
i lie Oil DlbNlupS lOI d p'"iN -
managers, including the directors OF
the agricultural society, the governor,
the auditor and the attorney general.
The bill provides for the purchase OF
eighty acres of land, to be purchased
by condemnation if necessary.
''The bill provides for raising 81
100000 by issuance of certificates OF
indebtedness to be drawn by the attor-
ney general. 1t is the plan to spend
$S5OOOO in permanent Improvements.
OF this, $4,000 is for Il sewer system;
$4,000 for land; few thousand for
terminals and improvements of park
ways within the grounds; 100000 for
a main building, and $250,OOO for a
grand stand.
The value of the improvement on the
fair grounds and the land Itself is
$750,000. The state has appropriate
ed a total of $l67 900 for the fair. The
land was given by the city of st. Paul.
1t seems to me when the fair man
agament now asks for Sl,000,000 mains
ly for permanent improvements, we
cannot turn the request down; especial
ly i'll view of the splendid showings
the state fair management has made
in the past.
''The grounds are now crowded, and
are veritable tented city. Enlarge
ment is absolutely necessary. The
grandstand is not safe. Last year
when 10000 people were present, the
grandstand with only capacity of $4,000
was dangerously crowded A new
oron1 cfonI IL
The present main building is abso
lutely inadequate at present. Like the
present grandstand, it is a fretrap.
Thus, in few years, appro
priations for $750,0O0 at least will be
needed for these improvements for
state fairs without consideration of an
exposition.
eff the fair board is to take proper
action. it must be allowed to do so as
soon as possible. Congress and many
legislatures are. now in session, and
these must be seen through the fair
management to assure the eXposition's
success
An effort was made in the house to-
day to advance the semi-centennial
measure so as to give it two readings
and make it special order for to-
morrow afternoon. +. G. Carlton, j.
R. Howard and Others protested against
any haste in such an important mat
ter and the attempt to expediate the
progress of the bill was abandoned.
Under the rules the matter went to
the committee on appropriations.
The principal argument in favor of
speedy action was that the fair man
ayers wanted to know just what would
be done SO that they could urge leg
islatures in other states to make APP
preparations for the Minnesota semi
centennial exposition.