The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-03-11

have difficulty in dealing as they
had in 1908. Then this vast trackage
which would be kept in order by the
state would be appreciated.
Mr.. Davidson expressed his regret
that the inland water transportation
in foreign countries wos so much fur
Their advanced than in the United
States. He presented interesting fig
ures of the cost of unloading boats
by the use of the latest electrical de-
vices and the methods pursued in the
country with the advantage in favor
of the foreigners.
Success of River Transportation
The success of river transportation
depends upon three things: First,
plenty of deep water; second, termin-
Ial facilities, wharves; docks; hoists !
electric cranes, etc, which make it
possible for boats TO be loaded and
unloaded quickly: third, facilities in
the way of boats and barges. 1--WE
can not expect one Thousand pounds
boats to compete with box cars but
we can expect ten thousands pound
boats to do So" With these three
conditions combined; with the river
bed widened and deepened and with
the supply of water made regular by
the establishment of dams and reser-
vOirs, we may reasonably expect the
commerce to return to the water ways.
Minnesota has never iegislated much
along this line. Proper legislation is
necessary before very much good
can be accomplished This power when
created must be regulated and guarded.
Some bills with regard to the mat
ter have been prepared and will be
presented at the next session of the
legislature. These bills, if passed, will
do much toward furthering the cause
of improvement of waterways.
Will Require Large Sums.
Mr.. Davidson admitted that it will
require millions of dollars and a num-
Der of years of unremitting effort to
accomplish these things, but he believes
that it will pay in the end and he
further believes that it is the duty
of every citizen to do everything pos
sible by creating public opinion to for
ward the movement toward preserving,
Ireserving and developing this great
water power. Perhaps it can not be
enjoyed by the present generation,
but it will be by the future genera
tons which are TO live in the Min
nesota valley.
A discussion of Mr.. Davidson's ad-
dress followed in the dining room of
the church after a very delightful ban
quet was served by the ladies of the
church.
+. b. Wells of the Commercial col
lege acted as POSTMASTER Among
those speakers were George Atchison,
F. NJ. Currier, Benjamin T. Taylor,
G. E. Wise, j. w. True, B. f. Pay; DR..
j. A. Hancock, Mr.. Lossow and Rev
erend Mccormick
They all expressed their appreciation
of what Colonel Davidson had said and
emphasized further the Importance of
lhe NOV eiheHI anu the Necessity Vi
each one doing something to assist in
the work
They dwelt especially on the inn
portance of selecting men as represen-
tatives who will do their duty by the
community in the legislature.
Mr.. Currier did not believe that as
a freight rate redueer river transpor-
tation would prove such great boon
to the shipper and receiver. River
navigation could be depended on for
only about five months out of the
twelve. He was getting somewhat dis
couraged as to the freight rate situa-
ton. He predicted that it would be
only matter of time when the rail
roads would be operated by electricity
and this would tend to cheaper oper
ating expenses. Mr.. Currier was sat
isfed that great benefits could ac
crue from developing the water power
lin the state. Mr.. Currier expressed
himself as being somewhat discouraged
over the matter of trying to secure
better freight rates for Mankato. He
blamed the legislature for not enact
ing the right kind of legislation and
raped the railway and warehouse COM
mission for not enforcing the laws that
are now on the statute books.
The Way of Legislation.
Benjamin Taylor stated that it was
difficult to get meritorious legisla-
tion enacted unless the members in
terested in the bills gave support to
measures that were not wanted by
the people. He deplored this condition
of affairs. The consideration of the
national resources of this country were
vastly more important than the Dig
ging of canals on the face of Mars.
c. Z. Wise could see great benefits