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

This interesting report was SUD-
mItted TO the Mankato Commercial
club hast evening by Secretary e.
r. Soaring: tlJ.
Membership.
The Mankato Commercial club
started the past year with a sup
posed membership OF 155, but this
list when removals. applications.
etc, were deducted. shrunk con-
ssaernbly. An, active campaign for
,hew members was inaugurated. with
die result that the list was run up
10 270, but for various reasons,--re-
moyal from the city, going out OF
business. inability to pay, etc, the
effective membership has not been
that large. At the close OF the
fiscal year. February IS. I scaled the
list down by striking of the names
OF those. who seemed to be hope
lessly delinquent. and the result Is
that, the club starts its new year
with 23s live members, about 100
more Of this description than II
had a year ago. Dues were col
lected in whole or in part, the past
year, from about 2i0 members.
There remains uncollected OF the
past years dues s265. the most
OF which are undoubtedly collectable.
II Is the intention to resume the
membership campaign shortly, and
10 try TO bring the membership up
e. $40, Our membership fee is
reasonable, and every active busi-
ness man in the city ought to con-
slider II q duty TO belong to the
club. II any member pays his
dues begrudgingly, or with a feel
ing that the money is thrown away,
he is making a grave mistake. While
few OF the members realize any
direct benefits from the clubs
efrorts, all are indirectly benefited.
The clubs field OF activity is a wide
one, and its work has extended
along many lines. The fact that
meetings have not been frequently.
held. or that every activity has not
been advertised. should not lead
anyone to acquire a mistaken idea
that the work for which the club
exists has been in any respect
neglected. Members who are not
called upon to work in any other
capacity can help largely by talk
ing up" the city, and by upholding
the officers and committees of the
club in their efforts. While the
club is so large that all cannot
lave committee work, there are
duties for every one. Do not wait
70 be appointed on committee, but
he a self-aDpointed committees
Httle yitalized center of activity for
the city's good II you start some
thing the organization will be
ready to help you put II over"
Every member can at least consider
Mmself on the membership COM
itss.
Legislation. -
The club had an important obi
ss-i0n thrust upon II early in the
year By the necessity of watching
closely the interests OF the city
In ths legislative session. An un-
usually large number OF important
matters OF local moment were under
consideration. Perhaps. the most
Important was that which involved
The loss OF the tub factory to Man.
kgto, and which had to be and
VAS, defeated. Appropriations for
the state normal school, the local
talr association, and Minneopa state
park were asked for and secured.
\ bill was aided, which made IL
hossinie FOR Mahkato to secure its
srmcry. now nearing completion.
The most important good roads
LEGISLATION ever proposed In Mime
sota was up. There were also the dis
tahoe tarin Biil a bin to limit the
hours OF employment OF women to
eight hbirs. a punishment bin, and
ether MEASURES effecting our BUSH
ness interests. The club took an
active interest In all of these
measures. and sent committees to
st. Paul. l feel that the club and
city are under many obligations to
our county delegation in the legisla-
ture. particularly to Representative
Porter and Senator Warks, and also
to Governor Eberhart all three being
members OF this. club. The latter
several times during the legislative
session and since, when measures
affecting this city were up. has
used his Influence on behalf of this
city, at the request Of committees
and Officers of this club.
~. Publicity.
The publicity work Of the club