The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-11-17
valuable farm land that will be
either wholly reclaimed or ma

will be developed; that the Min
nesota River spans the state
traversing territory about $50
miles in length, we'll settled, and
with tWenty-nine cities and viii
lagos on the river and double
that number tributory thereto IS
insuring a good market for =.
power that can be prodU -
that with fair and reasoh
cooperation of the federal gN n
eminent commensurate with the
importance of navigation fur
nished, we can secure the neces-
sary financial aid to carry out
our part of the undertaking. We
therefore earnestly petition your
honorable board to recommend
the proposed improvement.
And be it further resolved,
that the Minnesota River I'm
provement league give its un-
qualified endorsement and sup
port to the Minnesota River I'm
provement and Power company
for the reason that we are con-
WINGED that this corporation is
not formed for the selfish in
terests of certain individuals, but
that the contamination of their
purposes will result in great
benefits to the people of the en-
tire Minnesota valley.
Senator G.. A. Johnson addressed
the meeting at some length, urging
the development of the water power
of the river and it's navigability.
He said that a million dollars Il
year would be saved to the valley.
At S. an acre, the $4,000 acres of
low land subjects to floods would
produce 100000, which would bring
about the undertaking, and the farm
ers ought to subscribe this amount
when the solicitors come around.
The money would not be. asked for
until $250,000 was subscribed, and
would be invested in fiOwage rights.
If the plan did not so through, the
water power would come into the
possession of private electric COM
panies Mr.. Johnson made strong
for support of the Power
by the farmers subscribing
for stock at SIS an acre and solicited
questions.
Ilc0luSIlI INdSlShCl VI thS WV
company said that the man who
helps to build the dam ought to
participate in the profits of the wa
ter power, as well as have his land
reclaimed 1t had been thought that
this would be better than levying an
assessment. The movement must
be strictly cooperative, as nothing
else will succeed. No promotion
stock has been issued, and no sal
aries will be voted until the matter
gets further along. There must be
a united effort of the entire valley,
and with such an effort there is no
chance of failure, and the money
invested will be invested where
there will be immediate returns.
Johnson-~inauifed whether
the money was all to be spent on
the dam or in getting navigation.
He was answered that the ftoWage
rights would have to be obtained
and the dam built before the river
could be controlled, but the naviga-
ton would follow at once
w. H. Weibler of Belle PLANE al.
so made some inquiries.
Senator Johnson answered the
questions by saying that the bill for
the survey for improving the Min
nesota river provides for extending
the appropriation for removing snags
and other distractions from the
Mississippi river to the Minnesota
and other tributaries.
Senator Johnson said that if the
government does not build the Lac
qui Parle dam, the Power company
has authority to do so, and the inn
provement will be made anyway,
probably.
Importance of Enterprise.
DR.. l.. A. Fritsche of New Ulm
spoke of the Importance Of the en-
terprise. In Europe every small riv-
IIet is UTILIZED for water power for
lights and other uses. The people OF
America are now beginning to fol
ow to some extent. In British Co
umba some big water power prof.
ing power for long distances. The
speaker regretted that the delegates
were unable to visit the Rapidan
dam, which is an ideal power
plant. He had been told that the
reservoir there had just recently
prevented flood in the river in
Mankato. The Power company wants
s250,000 pledged, and unless this
amount is raised nothing will be
done. Payment will not have to be
made at once. Three or four men
would be put at work securing
pledges. When $250,000 has been
pledged, arrangements for getting
The balance of the money needed
will be made.
President Betz of the st. Paul
Commercial club suggested that the
names of farmers benefited be Sc
cured as a preliminary.
President Poehler said that this
had already been done. He asked
the meeting was satisfied
% rest with the adoption of the
resolution, or would go further
There was not much to promise the
board November 10.
There were some statistics that
might be brought up to date.
Senator Henry Benson of st. Pc
ter moved that the chair appoint a
committee of three to revise the
statistics and bring them up to date
and present them to the board of
engineers.