Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-02-05
ELECTRIC LINE MEETING
ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING OF CITIZENS
OF DEBORAH AND VICINITY.
Officials Of Dan Patch Air Line Come to
Decorah and Address Citizens in Mass
Meeting. Explaining Proposition
in Detail.

OF tine minneapolis, SC. raul, hOcnoS-
ter and Dubuque Traction CO.-The
Dan Patch Air Line. The result is
enthusiasm over the new electric line
in course of construction from Min
neapolis to Dubuque such as has sell
dom il ever been evidenced by our
progressive citizens over any enter
prise effecting the material growth
and prosperity of the city and adjacent
territory.
We had been reading and hearing Of
I this electric proposition since its i'm
ception. Promoters of the enterprise
had been here on various occasions to
enlist the support and assistance of
our people, and while all expressed a
hope that the line would be built, and
felt that il substantial evidence of the
completion of the line could be pro-
duced they would put their shoulders
to the wheel and boost both with
money and energy, there was still a
feeling of doubt in the minds of many
as to the ability of those behind the
movement to do what they proposed to
do-a feeling that the proposed
methods showed such radical depart
ure from the prevailing ideas of how
such lines were built that it would
be impossible to carry ont their plans
successfully.
Our people now have an entirely
different idea of the proposition.
Having heard and talked with the
officers of the company, men who have
been leaders in the business aid pro-
fessiOnal world. men of wide expert
ence, who have associated with them
some of the best engineers and elec-
uric railroad experts of the country.
and having been convinced of their
|sincetlry, nf the feasibility OF their
plans. there is no longer doubt that
they will be able to do what they pro-
pose to do. and that the line will be
completed as proposed.
The gentlemen who came here on
the invitation of the Decorah Com
mercial Club were President M. W.
Savage, the millionaire owner and
president of the International Stock
Food Co.. owner of the famous PAGER.
Dan Patch, and three other world 8
record race horses; Secretary M. HI.
Boutelle, one of the most successful
corporation attorneys of the north
west; General Manager f. A. Martin,
who has been in charge of the elec-
trical work of the New York Central
Ry. in the change from steam to elec-
tricity for motive power in entering
New York City, one of the greatest
electrical enterprises of modern times
Mr.. r. H. Benham. in charge of the
right of way of the new line; Mr.. w.
p. Mason. one of original promoters
of the line; Chief Engineer +. q. l..
Hunt. in charge of the temporary and
permanent survey; and Col. j. H.
Davidson, Geo. A. Miller and f. G.
Spears. fiscal agents
In spite of the inclement weather
the opera house was filled with resi-
dents of Decorah and vicinity when
the time for the opening of the meet
ing came. Mr.. Savage was first intro
duced and although he was making
his maiden speech, no one would
have known it had he not said So
He spoke briefly, assuring the people
Of his deep interest in the proposition.
that himself and every other officer
had no special favors over the smallest
stockholder, that he felt that the line
could be financed, constructed and
operated in the way they had set out
to do it. and that it would be OF i'm
measurable value to the territory
through which it will run.
The principal address of the evening
was made by Mr.. M. H. Boutelle.
who spoke for over an hour. explain.
ing in minutest detail the history OF
the enterprise from its inception.
showing how they expected to finance
the road by selling as much stock as
they could to the people along the
line and also throughout the country
at large. instead OF bonding the road
to eastern capitalists who would de-
mand q major share of the profits.
The company is capitalized al
t25. 600. 0OO. of which $40. 600. 600 il
preferred six per cent stock and $l5.
600, 600 common stock. Shares are
500 each. sold at par. and with every
share of preferred stock now pur.
chased. two shares OF common stock
are given free. On this basis only
every person interested in the line
has received his stock. No officer has
- yet drawn any salary. It is be.
lieved that in course Of time the com