The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-05-18

| Was SOlHS 10 get .UdCh DIT MdHhdtO OF
that he would "show Mankato.." He
denied, in fact, everything of the
sort that he had been reported as say
ing. He reiterated that whatever he
did was what he considered for the
| best interests of the company and
| the regiment and that he was looking
| to bring up the efficiency of the COM
pany and the regiment. He said he
had no apology to make for anything
| that he had done. He declared that
| the publication of the Thompson let
ter had nothink to do with the APP
IpOintment of either Mckenzie or
Cosgrove to the captaincy of Com
pany III.
Colonel Mollison said he would be
willing to have the matter of his al
legged remarks investigated Mr..
Reynolds stated that if such a thing
were done, it would involve parties
whom he did not care to have drawn
into the controversy. Colonel Molli-
son said he wanted Mankato to un-
derstand that the publication of the
Thompson letter had nothing to do
with. his action. in appointing an out
slider to the captaincy of the Man
kato company. He felt no ill will
towards Mankato, Company H or any
individual in Mankato. i,
The RegimentaI Band.
The colonel also stated that the regi-
mental band would be located in Man
kato if Mankato met the requirements.
1t is required that the, band shadd be
mae up of twenty-seven members, who
will be subject to physical exam
ination and they must, pass the
physical examination that is required
for national guard enlistments.
| The colonel also stated that he
would appoint Lieutenant Hauck cap
tain of Company III and that Captain
Cosgrove would be made captain of
Company K at st. Peter. The colonel
said he would call for the resignation
of Captain Magner of Company K,
and if it was not forthcoming
he would get. it anyway. The
colonel stated that he intended to
make these appointments as soon as
the return of. the court martial re-
Gently held was made public and he
was notified of the outcome of that
court martial. He expressed the be-
lief that he would be sustained and
that Major Oliver Duane would be
dismissed from the service. He had
understood that the return from the
Judge advocate had been sent to Gov
ernor Burnquist.
L Colonel Mollison admitted that dur
ing the time that the second regi-
ment of the national guard was on
the border he had made mistakes. He
said it would be something extraor-
binary if man in his position should
not make mistakes. He made no claim
| to being the most efficient command
/ ing officer among the national guard
regiments, but he produced letter
from General Lewis who commanded
that division. In this letter General
Lewis had commended the second
Iregiment for its efficiency and -
spoke very highly of the commander
and the officers. The general said
Minnesota had good reason to be
proud of the showing that had been
made by it's soldiers.
Did Not Take All the Credit.
/ Colonel Mollison said he did not
presume to take all of the credit for
1.-THE efficiency of the second regiment
| for himself, that the companies were
| i'm the hands of good officers and that
these were entitled to credit also.
/ While addressing the conference.
Colonel Mollison made the startling
statement, that the, Second regiment
was in, better condition than. 1t was
three years ago. - saSS
In connection with the ,appointme
| of Lieutenant .Haucke to the .captaincy
of Company FL, Colonel& MOllisOn said
he was willing to appoint him at once
| if the gentlemen present at the con-
ference felt that itilwould be for the
best interests of the company to do
so. The colonel had the order ready
1t was finally decided to have F. nj.
Currier, John C. Wise ands ]. ID.
REYNOLDS confer with Lieutenant
lHauck as to the advisability of his
assuming command of the company
at once, and ask whether he would
desire to do So 1t was understood that
upon Lieutenant Hauck's say-so would
depend the immediate action OF
Colonel Mollison.- 8
1t was also decided that Wallace
lSterling should confer with Sandon
] Brothers in regard to organizing the
Second regiment band. Mr.. Sterling
was very enthusiastic in regard to the
proposition and was confident the
required number of men for the band
could be gotten together. 1t is not
necessary that every member OF the
tband be resident of Mankato, but
1.-THE conference was of the opinion that
liz every member should be a Man
kato man it would be better for the
Organization.
II It is learned that Fairmont is also
working to have it's band named as
the Second regiment band, M
l. This conference was not authorized
1by any particular Organization. 1t was
| gotten together on the invitation Of
Mr., Holbrosk and Mr.. Sterling fol
1.-THE purpose of securing the Second
i regiment band for Mankato. While
these gentlemen did not assume to
lspeak for Mankato, they were inter-
Tested enough to take the matter in
lhand and push it.
i : During the forenoon Colonel MoIli-
son and Captain Nelson visited the
Sandon theatre and listened to re-
lhearsaf of the Sandon band.
II; Met the Band Boys.
| Colonel Mollison and Captain Mel
\ son of Owatonna came from Fart.
'Ibault Sunday morning in an automo.