The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-10-04
NANKATO is NEARING
PORTION OF S650,OOO
LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND
MORE, NOON TODAY
Solicitors We're Feeling Very
Happy Over the Prospect
OF Success

Six long blasts at 1880 o'clock to-
day informed the people of Mankato
that the city had passed the 100000
mark and has less than $4,000 more
to he subscribed before the full quota
allotted this municipality will have been
obtained. Latest figures show IN lact
that the city up to the present mas
subscribed a total Of 1904, $50, ana
there is but $45,150 to be raised:
Members of the committee were Oh
the opinion that the city was sure-to
go over the top if all who were al
Iotted their 'fair share" responded
readily and periodically.
Call At Headquarters.
Any person in the city who was al
lotted a certain amount in bonds and
failed to subscribe the amount when
the solicitors called is asked to call
at headquarters under the State bank
and take the matter up with the COM
mittee. Unless this is done the soil
citors will again call.
''This campaign was conducted on
an allotment basis and people who
own property will have to take their
share of the bonds" one of the COM
mittee members stated this morning.
Returns From County.
Returns are slow coming in from
the rural districts. In general, how
ever, the returns are good. w. d.
Willard, county chairman stated this
morning he thought that he would be
able to present complete statement
of the campaign tomorrow. Thus far
the totals amount subscribed for the
county is somewhat over $1,000, 900.
This leave approximately $4,000 yet
to be raised
Statement BY w. D. Willard.
The following is an interview with
w. d. Willard, chairman for the Blue
Earth County Liberty loan committee:
Il have been very much surprised
to find that there are a good many
people in Blue Earth county, of whom
the majority are of German extrac-
ton, who do not appear to realize the
seriousness of their refusal to do
their fair share in taking liberty bonds
and supporting the war activities.
had thought that people generally had
come to realize that the United States
was absolutely in the right in this
war and that every one was going to
back our boys Gb without any hesita-
ton to the full extent of their ability
and that it was not going to be neces-
sary to do>anything, more than suggest
to them what each ones share was
and they would come right in and
sign up for it gladly.
1T seems, however, was mis-
taken, and that there are people in
this country who, like the people of
Germany recognize nothing but force.
1t is unpleasant to make people do
things which they don't want to do.
1t is very much more satisfactory to
have them come forward willingly and
do their duty. but when the fine
comes that force must be used it will
be used, and those people who are
saying they will not take bonds are
putting themselves into a pretty
dangerous predicament.
Il have asked our committees to he
gentlemanly and considerate and have
all along opposed the drastic methods
which have been adopted in some
other counties, but it appears that
there are people who do not appre-
clate courtesy and have to be handled
with club. The Minnesota Commits
sion CT Public Safety, through it's
representative in this county, is in
position to see that people shall not
get ali the-benefits of this country
without bearing a fair share of the
burdens"