The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-03-08
Action Is Taken By The
Commercial Club.
WILL RAISE MONEY NEEDED
Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars Worth
of Stock Must Be Sold in Man
kai0 at Once.
From Tuesdays Daily.

From Tuesdays Daily
The street railway proposition wa
practically the only subject considere
by the Commercial club last evening
There was less than quorum presen
until nearly half past nine, and lacl
of enthusiasm was displayed when it i
considered that the city is at least 81
near realization of its dreams about {
trolley line. Such an attitude coulc
hardly be encouraging to the Chicag
gentlemen present.
President Hixon said that since the
last meeting deal had been made in
writing with responsible parties to builc
a street railway. This had been done
without the assistance of promoters and
with no rake-off. Under the terms OF
the contract the local people will be Sc
cured, and they can purchase the bonds
if they wish to, and have the control.
A very fair franchise has been present
ed to the council for passage. There is
no question about the road being built,
in case the local people raise 1000
more. The firm is thoroughly reliable
and is an experienced railway builder,
now being engaged in building forty
miles.
The Commercial club has 29O members
but only ninety-three members nave
subscribed for preferred stock, or less
than one third of the members. With
outsiders who have subscribed, the total
subscriptions are 1920, or an average
of S3l5 for each subscriber. There is
needed $4,000 more, or an average of
only 1927 from each of the 1877 members
who have not yet subscribed. The club
was organized to boost Mankato, and if
the members do not do it they can
hardly hope to get outsiders to do so.
The proposition is the best that the city
has yet had, for the reason that it is
sure thing. The franchise asked for
will expire May l, and will not drag
along. The promoters mean business.
The cost of the road has been figured
much cheaper than ever before. There
is no water in it. This is the only
business proposition that the city has
had. The subscriptions have dragged
along, and if the raising of the bal
ance drags like it has so far there is
not much hope of getting the road. Mr..
Hixon asked for suggestions as to how
to facilitate the raising of the subscrip-
tons.
E. M. Zuel suggested that each mem.
Der of the club constitute himself
committee. Ii each member would get
two or three subscriptions there would
be no trouble in getting the balance.
DIR. Schmauss thought that if mile
didates for office push the matter, the
people to vote.for those who boost the
most. Everybody should be seen, and
this should be done promptly. He didn't
think that it would accomplish much to
leave it to the club members in general.
Active committees should 90 out.
a good plan to double the size of the
Mr.. Zuel asked why it would not be
committee.
Mr.. Hixon said that this would be i'm.
it hard to get it out of their heads that
the subscriptions are not donations.
The city cannot afford to lose the rail
road, when it is considered what electric
roads have done for other cities. Such
a road helps everybody who owns prop
erty or is in business. Subscriptions are
helping their own interests. If the city
falls down now it ought never to have
a railroad
Theodore Williams said that he would
raise his subscription if the majority
would do it.
DIR. Schmauss suggested that the can
or two OF road was to be built first and
the rest later it would be better. The
company was promising to do too much
Mr.. Hixon said that some people find
practicable, as two or three miles would
not pay, as it would not be giving ser
vice, and no extensions would ever be
made if based/on the success of the orig
inal road. If people are willing to build
six or seven miles of road the residents
ought not to worry about it.
Allen jackson suggested that there
be street car day and that the club