The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-03-06

f, has been carried on without inter
mission. The advertising booklets
and folders have been sent out OF
the seeretary's office In some num-
bers, and two OF the local land
firms ard most of the drug stores,
! book stores and news stands have
bought booklets at the reduced rate
made for them. There are still couple
| of thousand booklets on hand. and
they ought to be circulated a little
faster. The price at which they are
| quoted to the land men-one-fifth OF
their cost-ought to result in all OF
them making use of this booklet.
A few subscriptions to Hoard's
the club still ha sa few left.
The secretary has furnished
several writeups of the city for
aliases, magazines, a state adver-
Using booklet, etc. A series of
articles by local manufacturers on
the reason why Mankato people
should use Mankato made products,
to be published In the local press,
has been started, and will be. con-
tinued as opportunity offers.
The city has received much favor
able publicity the past year through
It's conventions, and in other ways
the city has become better known.
The schools and hospitals are among
the institutions that help to ad-
vertise the city extensively, but the
well kept streets and private
grounds, the parks, the healthful
water, complete sanitary system.
and other features that indicate a
large degree of civic pride, are all
drawing people here. During the
past year or two, the "knocker" has
almost entirely disappeared, and the
citizenry seems to be unanimously
impressed with the promising future
which the city has. This future can
be attained, but only through effort
systematic and long-continued.
A business mems auto tour
around the county and perhaps
further QUITO the numerous pros
porous villages the encircle the city.
is projected for the coming sum
mer, and. IL carried out. should give
the city's resources and advantages
lot of good advertising.
Housing Problem.
The year 1913 saw a large in
crease in the population of the city
,f
lies from abroad. and the sixty or
eighty new dwellings that were
built were occupied as soon as they.
became habitable. The demand for
houses continues unsatiated, and is
now greater than for years past.
For two years the influx of popula-
ton has been large, and the great
building activity that resulted must
continue. At least one hundred
dwellings should be erected this
year, and among them should be a
number of five and six room
cottages that will rent for SIS to
s25 month. Several families are
known to have come here the past
winter, intending to locate, but
failed to find suitable houses and
went elsewhere. The housing
question, perhaps for the first time
In the history of the city, is
vital one. Mankato cannot grow
faster than there are roofs to
shelter the new corners.
The center of the city has be-
come congested and lots are un-
reasonably high, while few blocks
away are residence sections as yet
almost untouched, because OF the
blum on one side and the slough on
the other. Extensions OF the street
car line are imperative, and would
be followed by great activity in
building. Every effort ought TO be
about.
During the year. our two leading
hotels made important improve
ments and are better able than
ever before to care for their trade.
AT the same time, four old hotel
buildings were torn down, which, In
their day. were well patronized by
farmers and laboring men. Whether
present conditions would warrant
the building of suitable hotel to
help accommodate this trade is a
question worthy OF investigation.
County Agriculture.
One OF the most-fmportant fields
OF endeayor for this or any other
Commercial club lies in the ada
cent agricultural community. Man.
kato depends to very large extent
Tor Its prosperity upon the agri.
cultural territory around It. Good
crops make good business condl.
lions, and the reverse is also true
There is a general movement
worldwide, I might say-looking to
the securing Of the greatest posi-