The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-05-25
Standard Oil Company Plan
Created Some Talk |
GARAGE MAN OBJECTS
Band Proposition Is Laid Before
City Fathers; Other
Business
From Mondays Daily.

From Mondays Daily. l-.
Mankato councilmen held their first
meeting in the new city hall building
this morning, all members being
present ne
Quite an argument developed over
the project of the city releasing a
lease which they hold from the
Chicago, Milwaukee railroad on the
lots, corner of Front and Main
streets, which 1t was frst intended
should be used as a central city park,
and giving the same over to the
Standard Oil company to keep in good
repair, and build filing station
thereon when they found it con-
yenient to do so. .iN
Attorney Ivan Bowen in behalf of
the Clements Auto company, asked the
council to state just what the propo-
sitfOn of the Standard Oil company
was in regard to this property, and
the matter was explained by City At
t0rney c. e. Phillips in brief as fol-
10ws:kThe city now has lease on the
property and the Standard Oil COM
pany proposes if the-Gity win release
the same in their favor to take a
lease from the railroad company lat
er, and build service station at that
place, keeping the sidewalks and sur
roundings in first class condition at
all times.
Wished to Enter Protest.
:, Attorney Bowen stated that his
clients wished to enter protest
against such action He stated that
the city should keep the lease and
maintain a park there as was at first
proposed. He said that the garage
men are now retailing oil, and the
Standard Oil company is a wholesale
concern, which now wants to retail
oil in this city, which would drive the
men who live in the community and
pay taxes, out of business. He stated
that the park ought not to be turned
over to this large corporation for
their financial gain. MIR. Clements, who
was also present spoke strongly
against allowing the Standard Oil
company to take the lease and use the
property as. a sit for a filling station.
for a filing station.
aIs the city so poor it cannot afford
to put a park there as was at first
pfuposed?" asked Mr.. Clements. 1t
is right in the center sof the town,
and has been talked of as park
since the lease was taken. Two years
ago when William Byrnes and an
other man wanted the place they
were refused. Why not let the home
people have the first chance? / think
the place should be retained by the
city for park and not turned over
tofthe Standard Oil people for their
behefit"
Statement BY Postlewaite.
4. w. PostIewaite Of the Standard
Oil company, who was present in the
interest of that corporation stated:
Everybody knows who / am and why
lam here We will not go into q per-
sohal fight in :. this matter Other
garage tnen do not oppose the propo-
stitch. AS for living here and paying
tkx5s, we pay more taxes than many
otiier concerns in this city, our taxes
last year amounting to LAO, and we
will pay whatever is assessed. I am
here to take the viii OF the council
and abide by their judgment"
Mr.. Clements stated that perhaps 1t
wasSfoolish for d couple of garage
men to buck the Standard Oil com
psaiy, as they might buy them out, or
at least put a stop to their business.
He said the conditions we're such that
the standard Oil company could an
derself the local dealers on gasoline,
and 4fe local men would be compelled
to- sell at loss, and make the said
loss up on something else. He believed
thataH was the duty OF the council to
maintain the land as city park as
was originally intended, instead Of
giving this choice location over to the
Standard Oil company for their pur-
poses.
Eouncilman Steiner, after consider
able discussion by the council, moved
that the matter be referred to City At
torney C. E. Phillips and Councilman
Eichsteadt, with power to act, which
was seconded and passed.
$3.50 Talk over Eand Matter.
Chris Holbrook appeared before the
council, speaking in, regard to the
Second regiment band proposition. He
briefly reviewed what had been done
in the matter, and how he had WRIT
ten to Captain Harold Nelson two
Weeks ago asking that the band be
nlaced in this city. He spoke of the
recent visit to Mankato of Captain
Nelson and Colonel Mollison, and
their promise that Mankato should
have the band il 1t could be organized
here, twenty FIVE players and two
leaders being properly enlisted, and
Said that meeting would be held at
the armory tonight to which all
musicians were invited, with. that
+, f,,s x,snr y 4
Professor ITCHY of Austin, well
known and competent musician, had
been asked to come to Mankato to-
day and would arrive to spend a few
hours in the city, although he could
not remain for the evening meeting
SO Mr.. Holbrook stated, and he In
yited the members Of the council to
the Elks' club at noon to meet with
the professor, and talk over the mat
4 ter of the leadership of the Second
Regiment band Mr.. ITCHY would move
to this city in event she was given the
leadership. His. work as a musician
was known to be good and he was
recommended by Harry B. French and
Mrs. H Al. Patterson, so Mr.. Hol-
( brock stated. The idea would not in
terfere IN any way with the Sandor
A.,a -. 41,o concarts at Sibley park