The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-01-16
Meeting FOR PURPOSE
FIFTH REGIMENT OFF,
GERS URGE PLAN
Bond Issue Maybe; Other Towns
After the Guard t.ead-
Quarters

e Ft5+fs+'tff. .-i,fE
Mankato may have fine new arm
DRY erected in the city during the com
ing year. First steps toward this end,
which have been considered for some
time past, were taken at a meeting
held at the council chambers Of the
city hall last evening. Officers OF the
Fifth regiment, the members of the
city council, executive conImittee Or
the Commercial club and other busi-
ness men met at the gathering and
The project was completely gone over.
Colonel z. l.. Minnegerod explained
tc those present the need for a new
armory in Mankato with the head.
quarters of the regiment here, includ-
ing 1i"c companies. Soon motor
equipment and supplies are to be sent
TO Nanaato which will fill the present
arn.ory 10 capacity. AS drill hall
also, lie stated the present Luilding
is who'll inadequate.
hanknto Entitled 10 S12s,0CO.
Manlato IS entitled to s125,00O for
the erection 'Cf a new ai7nory here,
$4,000 for each company, providing
the city will donate site and $4,000
in cash toward the project Colonel
.iinnegefod stated he thought the site
should include two city blocks SO
that n drill hall 100 feet by 100feet
could be insured.
Unless Mankato erects n new ar
nory this year it is entirely probable
the city will lose The headquarters OF
the 1eginent, said Colonel Minnegerod.
Tn NNinnna SxDe v1tr a
the very center of town was pointed
out TO him and he was told this
would be donated for an armory
site Hsthat city could get the regifh-
entail Headquarters Faritauit Also
wants thu headquarters, Colonel Mol
lison being Instrumental in efforts To
havc'theni moved to that city. the coll
oncl psaid, st. Cloud is completing a
big arinory and Fersus Falls has
coated a S250.00e bond i3suc for this
purpose.
Colonel Minnegerod said that he
expected within a few years to leave
Mankato and that he hoped to leave
the regiment with fine quarters and
TO have a Mankato man succeed him
in Command OF the regiment Numcf- Z
Gus questions were asked the colonel
regarding the plan. He. stated he be-
lieved that it would be necessary for
the city to give ,S1250 annually for tile
upkeep OF the building if il was erect
ed. e.,i
Suitable Fer. Mectinao.
More public meetings could 10 held
in such building. the colonel stated,
because Two companies could drill at
once and drill nights would not he so
frequent. He said he felt sure the
question of the city using the building
for mass meetings. could be arrang-
ed to the satisfaction OF all. lie also
suggested tina. the Commercial club
and the American Legion could have
rooms for meetings in the arnory, IL
an additional sum was raised for this
purpose. This would take $4,000 or
$4,000 additional, he estimated
Judge Lorin Cray, George M. Pal
mer, II. A. Patterson and w. d. Will
ard all expressed themselves as favor
ing the plan. Judge Cray suggested
that the necessary funds for a site
and other purposes be raised by
bond issue. He said this might not
mean the erection OF the armory as
soon as Colcael Minnegered hoped,
during The present summer, but he ex-
pressed the belief there was little
question but that the issue would pass.
Expression From Mayor.
Mayor h. " Waters was asked to
express the opinion of the council on
the proposition more particularly
regarding a bond issue. The mayor
said he did not know how the rest
! Of, the: council, felt but that if the
people wanted q new armory and were
/ i'm favor Of he knew no Ffeason for
opposing the matter. He also said he
walftcd it, understood the S1ty could
-use siiIe building for meetings when
ever needed
w. H. Willard moved that$fhe pro-
position of erecting new armory
be Followed up without Delay and that
Chairman F. e. Crandall. who presid.
ed over the meeting appoint a COM
mirJee0f live to get options. On desir-
able property FOR a site anfts2hat the
committee devise the best means for
raising funds This committee is to
report al another meeting to be called
very SCOIl. t+' fr y
The opinion was expressed that the
committee should act at once on the
matter securing options OF, a site and
that the next meeting should be held
immediately. Judge Cray said he uri-
sderstoor, after reading the law on
The matter of erecting ar-.:nries. that
The building was constructed under
the supervision of the colonel Of the
regiment ard the mayor Of the city
where il was fuilt.
FE. Crandall. chairman of the
meeting last evening, today anounc-
ed the appointment of the following
men on tie committee to get options
On an affnory site and carry forward
the ninr ii NJ To5npklns. Chris Stein
.er, g. ~ PPalnlHrs r. a, Patterson and