The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-03-08

past eight o'clock, and consisted O.
the following elaborate menu:
Oyster Cocktail
Waters
Roast Turkey with Dressing
Giblet Gravy
Cranberry Jelly
Mashed Potatoes Hot Roll!
Cabbage Salad
Cucumber Pickles
Ice Cream Assorted Cake
Coffee
Cigars
President Crandall then expressed
thanks to the ladies' auxiliary fol
all that they had done. He said thai
as Secretary Soaring had attended
the meeting Of the Federation o.
Commercial clubs at Minneapolis, he
would speak about what he did and
heard at the convention at Mime
apolis and what is being done by
the clubs throughout the state.
Mr.. Soaring introduced his report
by q few humorous remarks, saying
that his talk would BIO the light
course preceding the turkey or more
substantial course to be given by
President Vincent. He related q few
of his first experiences as secretary
since his election to that duty after
the resignation of the former secre
tary and he said that he has had
a strenuous time, having received
so much outside correspondence, con
sisting mostly of requests for infor
nation concerning Mankato and
Blue Earth county.
Mr.. Soaring said he was sent to
Minneapolis by the advisory commit
tee as representative of the Mankato
Commercial club. The convention
was held in the splendid ball room
of the Radisson hotel, and about 13C
delegates from about thirty-three
commercial clubs were present.
President Crandall had been sched
uled to deliver a fifteen minute adj
dress on, Every Day Problems OF
Every Day Work." but as Mr.. Gran
dali was not present, the presiding
officer insisted that Mr.. Soaring
make an address. One of the i'm
portant matters discussed was
stated briefly, that it was not a
question Of expense Of belonging to
a club but one of necessity of every
business man to belong.
Secretary Soaring spoke of the
"Club Problems Of the Smaller
Cities" after another discussion had
been made on the "Club Problems
of the Larger Cities" In this talk
he talked briefly upon the good
roads movement and this touched
an interesting chord, for immediate
" he was overwhelmed with ques
tions about the movement in Blue
Earth county. A general discussion
followed and this became so inter
esting that the remainder OF the
program was crowded out.
In describing the convention, he
said that the ninth and tenth floors
of the Radisson hotel were devoted
to club rooms of the Minneapolis
Commercial club, and were palaces
in which to hold their gatherings
Importance of Organization.
In his talk, Mr.. Soaring empha
-i>ed the importance of forming a
Southern Minnesota Development as
ISOLATION similar to the one in the
northern part of the state. At the
convention, committee was ap
pointed to carry out plans for
Southern Minnesota Development
association, at the suggestion OF Mr.
Soaring. His motion was carried
but Immediately some Of the mem
bers from the northern part of the
state thought that this meant hos
tile relations between the two sec
tions. However, they were assured
that this was only move toward
better harmony between the north
ern and southern part of Minnesota
As a result, a convention has
been called in Mankato on April q
Mr.. Soaring was authorized to make
preparations for this convention and
his actions were approved by the
advisory committee.
This would mean a big advertise
ment for this part of the state, ano
would show that in Mankato and vi
cinity was a chance for people to gel
new homes. He advocated the In
creasing Of the population OF this
county by means of the advertising
and diversified farming that would
result from the work of the Com
mercial club.
Mr.. Soaring recounted the re
sources of the county, and this part
of the state, its agricultural posi-
bilities, water powers, etc. The re
mainder of his remarks were taken
up in an explanation Of what the
Mankato Commercial club is really
doing. He said that this organiza
ton had fathered nearly all of the
industries in this city and projects
In some way or another, and thai
Just at present it is spending $500
in advertising the city and county
1t was more than probable that q
sugar beet factory and peat plant
would soon be established here and
possibly an automobile factory.
But at present, the Mankato Com
mercial club was sadly deficient In
membership and he advocated
campaign for more members. l,
now has about ninety-five members
In good standing and this number
should be increased to about 200 OF
300. Last night, he said, all mem
berships expired and should be re
newed as soon as possible. The
members should be ready with theil
fees when asked for them. Next
Tuesday night the annual meeting
of the club will be held at the city
hall, at which time the new officers
will be selected, each one having ar
equal right in the choice Of officers
He closed his talk by paying trib
ute to the advisory committee, the
president, and all other committees