The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-03-29
COMMERCIAL CLUBS.

The theme for the balance of the
program was: How to Boost South
| ern Minnesota" On this theme.
Secretary E.. F. Soaring of the Com
mercial club was the first speaker.
Mr.. Soaring drew the conclusion
THAT he was among friends when
ever he found a gathering of edi-
tors, for he had followed the news.
, paper business for a quarter of a
century, and although he did not
devote his whole time to newspa-
per work now, he found it hard to
break away from it entirely, for
there was something fascinating
about the work
The program which had been car
ried out in the afternoon session
had run the whole gamut of inter-
est to newspaper men, so that there
was not very much left to say, al
though the theme which had been
arranged for was almost inexhausti-
bic. He laid special stress on the
| present. conditions of this district.
1t was a shame that farmers of a
garden spot like this should be pull
ing up their stakes and moving to
other places where the land was
somewhat cheaper, yet did not prove
as profitable in the end. The cheap
lands Of Canada had fooled away
thousands of farmers. Just recent
| ly 1000 men gathered at Aberdeen,
S. d.. to consider this emigration
question.
ut is well that something con-
structive should be urged. In each
community the Commercial club is
the central organization of the bust
ness men. Every city of any size
whatever has a Commercial club and
| these are the active workers for
the lettering Of the poor conditions.
An Agricultural Community.
when we come to final analy-
sis of the condition of the entire
Southern Minnesota, we find that
it = is distinctively an agricultural
community and the people depend
mostly on the products Of the soil
for their living Even in Mankato
with it's splendid manufacturing ill.,
dustries, a single crop failure would
affect the people considerably.
.HThere are two things that the
Commercial clubs can do. First,
hold the people here; second, bring
iii large population. The farm.
ing community can be made hap
pier and the boys will find it to
their benefit to remain at home"
He then outlined what the COM
mercial clubs can do. The first
method of making themselves use
and helping the farmers make their
roads better every year. Second,
getting more people to come to this
section, which can be done by adj
yertising. The Mankato club is at
present following this most excel
lent precept. Third, assist in get
ting exhibits at the state and coun-
ty fairs; fourth. develop the water
power. Within nine miles of Man
| kato one of the finest dams in the
state has been built, which furnish
ed the electricity not only for this
city, but for the surrounding towns
and villages. ="
lnterurban Railroads.
Sixth, interurban railroads should
be started. 1t is said that there is
a movement on foot at present, to
start line from Albert Lea, through
Worthington, and then to Sioux
Falls, S. d, These lines should be
| extended for they can accomplish
as much here as they have done in
the east. Another method of better
ing this district, is by exploiting the
lakes as summer resorts and adver-
/ Using the climate, for this brings
| in tourists, and they always leave
considerable money behind them.
The Commercial clubs should assist
in sgetting conventions to their city,
SO that when those attending return,
they would bring with them favor
able Impressions about the city in
which the convention was held,
Regarding Freight Rates.
| The securing of proper freight
trates was also an important topic