The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-04-26

tons must De PROVIDED Tor by the state.
A power and lighting plant is needed.
FIGURES were secured some time ago for
a plant estimated to be sufficient for
state fair needs, Mt that time. The low
est estimate secured was something over
$4,000. The plant was not installed for
lack of funds. With generally advanced
prices, plant sufficient for the use of
the fair today can hardly be expected
TO cost less than $4,000.
A new dairy hall is necessity. The
old building used for this purpose was
outerown years ago, and a suitable rep
resentation of this important and grow
| ing industry is impossible.
A new poultry building is also a neces.
sity. The present building does not con-
tain the exhibits offered, and the jam
and crush of people in the building
should be remedied. Both the dairymen
and the poultrymen of the state have
| petitioned for adequate quarters. These
petitions were presented to the house
some time ago, and have been considered
| by both the state fair and appropria-
tons committees, and no doubt had
weight in their deliberations when these
bills were recommended to pass.
There are other important needs, but
| if the improvements contemplated in the
bill before you now and the bill in the
hands of the joint appropriation COM
mittees are made, it is my judgment
that the additional equipment can be
provided for from the earnings of the
institution during the next few years.
No one questions the utility of the
fair. 1t provides object lessons upon the
resources and products of the state, a.
well as the ingenuity, enterprise and
energy of the people. 1t has educational
value, and provides an annual holiday
for the people. The fair stimulates and
encourages all lines of production, espe-
cially in live stock and agriculture, and
broadens and improves the markets. 1t
advertises the state; attracts new set.
tiers, and aids in state development in
every way. In no other way does the
state receive greater value for money
and effort expended.
The first note of discord came from
Elmer Adams of Fergus Falls. In care
fully prepared speech, which he read
from manuscript, he protested against
the expenditure. 1t was simply taxing
the country that the cities might be
provided with a show to further fleece
them. 1t was twin city show and the
burden of it should be borne by the
twin cities. .
LAS a show proposition" continued
Mr.. Adams, sit is the biggest thing in
the United States, but what does it do
for agriculture? What can the farmers
do with grand stand? The whole thing
to my mind is simply for the purpose
of bringing people to the twin cities and
separating them from their money"
Throughout, the above was the burden
of his talk. 1t was a constant appeal to
prejudice for at every turn he attempted
to show that the country was getting
the worst of it as far as the state fair
was concerned. Concluding, he said, he
protested against the bill in the name of
the majority of the taxpayers of the
state. The state had already been too
liberal with this institution and it was
about time to stop. The association
should be made to pay for the improve
ments asked of its earnings.
The II o'clock hour having arrived, a
recess was taken under the rules, and
the special order went over until l:30.
BY the terms of the bill certificates of
Indebtedness to the amount of $2500O0
are authorized. They are to be issued by
the state and retired at the rate of $780,
600 each year. This, under the law, is
the full borrowing power of the state.
For the retirement of these certificates
a fraction of mill tax is provided
for.