The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-02-07

/, Mankato's industries. He would by
all means protect Mankato against
an increase i'm rates
DR.. Andrews asked that f. NJ
Currier of the Rosenberger & Cur
rier Candy Co. give his views on
the subject, and Mr.. Currier taking
the opposite side of the question,
said that he thought those who
spoke before him assumed that the
bill would raise freight rates. He
| claimed that Mr.. eastman is adj
vccating a principle. that CT equal
ity, and that nothing is said in the
| bill as to what the rates will be.
That is matter to be determined
by the railroad and warehouse com
mission.
Mr.. Currier SAID that he had no
desire TO do any Farm 10 the quar-
ries or the cement industry What
he wants is equitable rates. He de-
plored the discrimination railroads
are making against Mankato and in
favor Of st. Paul and Minneapolis.
Mankato is entitled 70 seaboard rates.
1t does rot get these rates but the
twin cities do, all of which gives
kato.
J. G. Perry ard II. n Drummond. rep
resenting the Chicago and North
western and the Omaha roads, re-
spectively. answered some of the
arguments made by those who favor
ed the bill and Mr. Perry read an
article which appeared in the Min
neapolis Journal which from his
point of view, went to show that if
the bill was passed the freight rates
would be raised and that this would
be inimical to the interests of Man
kato and other towns in Southern
Minnesota.
Franklin +. ellsworth went into a
lengthy discussion Of the bill and
propOunded several questions to the
representatives of the railroads. lie
called to mind that the distance
tariff, had, according to some author
tiles, oeen success in Iowa and he
was of the opinion that freight
rates would not be raised He, like
Mr.. Currier, thought that this was
an assumption on the nart CT some
who did not understand the prOpo-
sition thoroughly. but were misled
into the belief that the distance tariff
would work to their disadvantage.
Mr. Ellsworth contcnded that were
the eastman hill to be enacted into
a law, and rates made in accordance
Herewith. Mankato could control the
trade in its riehtfu territory He
cited the Iowa lGrv. and called a.:cn-
ton TO the growth of the cities in
that state. notwithstanding the fact
that in the northern part of the
state the population had fallen off
to some extent
This question was threshed Oar
thoroughly by the Commercial club
two years ago and nothing new de-
velOpcd last evening. After free
discussion by several other members
of the club. the question of whether
or not the legislature should be urg-
ed to pass the bill was put before
the mcnrbers and, with a few dis
senting votes the resolution intro
duced by Mr. Pay was adopted.
Many Of those present did not vote.
On motion by DR.. Andrews it was
decided to hold the annual meeting
of the Commercial club on the sec.
ond Tuesday evening in March in
the Elks' cafe. At this time, Off
GERS will bc elected and several 9th
err tOpics Ct interest will be dis
cusscd
The business session was preceded
by an elegant chicken supper which
was prepared Ey Mr.. and Mrs. Will
lams. This was 4 pleasant feature
Of the evening