The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-10-13
could be made for less than that in
Blue Earth county.

could be made for less than that in
Blue Earth county.
At this rate, it would cost $4,000,
but if it was divided into a period
of five years, the burden would not
be so hard. The farmers, would of
course, have to contribute their
share. the state its share, the mer
chants and business men their share,
and some aid would probably be eX-
pected from the county through the
county commissioners.
IF the roads are such that the
farmers can haul out of town more
heavy material such as lime, brick,
stone, ETC., they will, naturally trade
here, and with every purchase Of
the farmer it will mean more bust
ness to Mankato, since, if he buys
his goods here, he will also sell
goods. Moreover, the farmers will
soon have automobiles. Tourists are
passing here every year, and il our
roads are good, these will bring
more tourists here, and you know
all these spend money
The question which Mr.. Palmer
laid particular stress on was, us
the plan feasible, or can We do it?"
He advocated raising $4,000 by the
merchants and business men OF the
city, and with this sum added to the
state aid. and other funds. he
thought there would be enough
money to attack the proposition in
a systematic way.
The method of securing this
money, was finally, after some OBJ
jections and discussions, decided to
be made by taking up a public
subscription. Some thought it adj
visable to have committee make
certain allotments which each differ
ent industry should be put under
obligations to pay, in other words
each business should be assessed
according to the business done by
the firm.
Mr.. Palmer read letter from the
state highway commission and an
other from State Engineer Cooley,
in which much encouragement was
received. In Mr.. Cooley's letter, it
was stated that the state might
give $4,000 as state aid, if dollar
for dollar was raised here in 1912.
Followed BY Discussion.
The question was then opened for
discussion by Mr.. Crandall. Judge
Cray thought that Mankato had al
ready gained the friendship of the
public authorities which had a great
deal to do with the securing of good
treatment.
Five hundred dollars had already
been raised by The Review and an
other six hundred dollars was ex-
pected to be raised by the Automo-
bile club, according to MIR. Hohmann.
John Wise, IT., thought it advisable
TO use macadam roads in some
places, but this was found to be
too expensive, and according to those
who have investigated the roads in
this county, gravel roads would
prove excellent.
Mr.. Hohmann made motion
i'm each ward and they in turn go
to the business men and ask them
to give as much as they can afford.
After some discussion, Mr.. Crandall
stated that the motion of raising
$4,000 was before the house, and be-
fore anything else could be consid-
cred this motion must be voted up
on 1t was carried unanimously.
The method of securing the money
was one of doubt. Some wanted
the good roads committee to secure
the money and do the work. others
thought that a committee of three
appointed by the chairman should
get it, while another moved that Il
committee Of five be appointed TO
secure the funds. This plan was
adopted.
Matter of Bridge.
The matter of building a bridge
across the Minnesota river as re-
viewed in The Free Press few
days ago, was taken up. The Com
mercial club of North Mankato
was very much in favor of getting
new bridge or repairing the old
one so that the street car lines
could be extended across to Brook
lyn."
This club had spoken of the mat
ter several times to the Mankato
Commercial club. The advisory
board has met two or three times