The Mankato free press., 1909-03-19
WIPES AWAY GLOOM
BETTER CONDITIONS TO PREVAIL
IN REAL ESTATE MARKET.
M. G. Willard Declares That the Sit
uation Is Surely Frightening Up;
More Calls for Property Coming
In; the Commission Plan; An
Electric Railway Center
From Saturdays Daily.

| From Saturdays Daily.
NJ. G. Willard, one of the prominent
real estate men in Mankato, was asked
| today as to the real estate situation
| in Mankato. His observations are in
! teresting:
"The real estate situation and out
look in Mankato? Well, it is more
easy than pleasant to say what the
situation has been-not only dull but
nearly dead-since the time last years
typhoid epidemic started.
| "The outlook, however, is decidedly
brighter. Inquiry for smaller city pro-
iperties, and nearby farms has been
greater during the last month than
for several months before, and appar-
emily it will lead to some business.
This, partly because we are getting
ditions, and because we are sure of a
safe and sane national administration,
and feeling that the seven years
wet period is drawing to a close.
| Reasons for Better Feeling.
"Another thing that will have an
increasingly good effect. already ap-
parent, is the fact fast becoming
known, that our pprest of artesian
drinking water has been so recurely
piped and connected up with the pump
ing station that it is impossible for
our drinking water ever again to be
contaminateds The good roads acti-
vity in and about Mankato, also helps
some to give heart and hope for better
things.
"And the hope, yes, bright prospect
for city government by commission,
along the lines of the Galveston and
Des Moines plan, makes the outlook
very hopeful. For our people seem to
be taking such favorable views of this
plan that they will be glad of a
chance to vote for we'll drawn char
ter providing for its adoption. In fact
we are all forced to say, IF it has
done so much for other cities, it must
be good for us, and must accomplish
much more with less money Surely
there is q crying need here for low
er taxation, for some who not long
ago intended to buy residences here
have been deferred by learning of our
high tax rates.
| The Cost of the Plan.
"At first, some feared it would cost
so much to work the commission plan
that Mankato could not afford to adopt
it. But when we recall that the use
less litigation over the Broad street
pavement cost the city over 100000,
and that great waste has occurred in
scores and hundreds of minor matters,
because they have not been taken up
as veritable business propositions" to
! accomplish the best possible results
with the least possible outlay, we are
bound to believe that we can get five
men, good and true, to do more and
better work for much less salary out
lay than what has been wasted here
tofore. A waste due not to incompe-
tency of city officials or council, but
to the system, the old organization,
which makes it impossible to carry on
a city government as a business prop
osition.'
Manager of the City.
"The proposed charter and enabling
the five men may be constituted man.
ager of the city business, and the
March l3 FOUR
Others heads of departments, as is
most usual in large, well organized
successful business. The manager to
be responsible to the people for the
whole proposition. Yes, know such
men are apt to be high priced. But
the honor of such a position is held
of great value in most good cities of
Britain, Germany and France. 1t must
be that Mankato has men able enough.
and patriotic enough to give half their
time to successfully manage the city
business, for less than half his real
money value, because of the good he
can do for his city, and the name he
can gain for himself.
These conditions which seem almost
sure to come about soon makes the
outlook appear to real estate man as
very hopeful.
What Would Stimulate Business.
''Alany have criticised Board of
Trade and Commercial club for not
securing for Mankato more manufac-
turers and jobbers. More and increas-
ing business in these lines, would of
course stimulate the real estate busi-
ness here and in the surrounding coun-
try more than almost anything else.
The advantageous position and shipping
facilities of Mankato ought to have
brought more of these before, be doing
it now, and keep on doing it, but it
takes men too: those with push, and
those with some money, and with
patriotism, and faith enough to invest
at home in these businesses, that will
always pay here when we'll handled.
Certainly, our people ought to be
more united than has been their won't
in business and public matters. And
much hope is entertained that this
movement for bipartisan, bust
ness city government will bring in this
desired unity, as well as greater acti.
witty and prosperity along all business
lines.