The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-01-21
PEOPLE ARE ON RECORD
Action Was At Commerce
Association Meeting
FINE THINGFOR THECI
Number of Addresses Were De-
livered BY Those Conversant
With Subject


Members of the Mankato Civic and
Commerce association at their forum
meeting last night went on record as
favoring a proposition looking toward
the erection of a combined new arm
DRY and community building. The
meeting was opened by number OF
selections by the Fifth Regiment
band, which were greatly appreciat-
ed by those present. Charles r.
Butler, who presided at the meeting,
stated that the purpose OF holding
the meeting was to get the sentiment
of Mapkato people as to the needs of
new and larger armory and com
munity building for this city. The
meeting was we'll attended, and the
audience was favored by a short
well worded address by B. w. Day
of st. Paul on the topic oil "The Fo
Gus Of Community Co. operation"
1. N. Tompkins, vice president of
the Civic and Commerce association,
explained the legal steps necessary
to be taken to secure government
aid in the erection of the proposed
new armory
B. w. Day in opening his remarks
complimented the members Of the
Fifth Regiment band for the excel
ency of their music. He at once
called attention of the audience to
the fact that if the armory PROPOSE
ton were not given better backing
than in the past there was danger of
Mankato losing that fine musical or
ganization. The retaining of the
headquarters Of the Fifth regiment
hn in fu Will
Mankato people, who must CO oper-
ate in getting better and larger quar-
terS for the companies stationed at
this city. The speaker said that the
people will have to break away from
the individualistic idea and heartily
CO. operate with their neighborS in
every problem of civic bettelment, If
they wish to have their community
advance as it should. Here the
speaker gave instances of what CO.
operation on the part of the citizens
of st. Paul had done for that city
in the way of advancement. With a
hearty spirit of CO. operation, the
speaker stated that the future holds
wonderful things in store for the
people. To reap those benefits how
ever. the people must get busy. Com
petition was never as great as it is
at the present time. Competition is
beginning to spring up in trade, and
it is already under way in cities and
towns and communities, which are
vieing with each other in holding
out advantages to those who hav'
anything to offer for the civic bet
termenI of their particular communi-
ty. In the scope of Industrial actiyi-
ties come factories, armories and
other things of that sort. Here the
speaker said that he knew that Other
cities in this state are more than
anxious to secure the headquarters Of
the Fifth Regiment If Mankato
wishes to hold the same she will hav'
to look to her laurels in the way of
providing better and larger accom-
modations for the unit
Public Opinion Great Factor.
One of the greatest -. factors in
American life today. the speaker
stated, is public opinion. Without tho
backing of public opinion it is indeed
difficult to accomplish anything
along the lines OF public improve
ment. Right down at the bottom of
the proposition Of the armory and
community building proposition :,
this city is the factor of public or
inion. Once public opinion ee',
back of the movement it will be a
success.
In recommending a new armOry for
this CITY. the speaker said that its
floor dimensions should not be less
than 100 feet square. This woul'
afford accommodation for the seatino
of 1900 people in addition to offices
and other departments, such as club
rooms, recreation rooms. etc. The
idea of the armory and community
building is the outgrowth of the
World war. There has come a de-
mand for a recreation center in each
community. In such centers, the
speaker stated, 1t would be we'll to
accommodate the American Legion
G.. A. r.. women's clubs, Red Cross
and the Civic and Commerce associa-
tion. Other accommodations sho''
provide for large kitchen. dining
room etc. With such a building and
accommodations there would result
get the government appropriations
for the proposed new armory and
community building, Mankato people
must act quickly now while the state
legislature is in session. The speaker
pointed out the advantages of anr
city having sufficient hall space to
accommodate large conventions. TIL
st. Paul auditorium is the means q
bringing more people to that city
than any other FACTOR IN tnat CITY
N closing the speaker said that the
fine for letting George do it." has
passed George is dead and buried.
From now on we must take up
Georges burden in CO. operative
manner, and with public opinion
back of the movements success must
come.
Address BY Mr.. Tompkins.
I. N. Tompkins, vice president OF
the Civic and Commerce association,
explained the legal steps necessary
to be taken in order to get government
aid in building the proposed armory.
Mr. Tompkins said that the armory
proposition appealed to him 30 y rrc.d
business and civic standpoint. Mr..
Tompkins said that he would venture
to say that any business man in this
city would jump at the inducements
offered by the United States govern
ment. All the government asks Is
that this city secure a site for the
proposed armory and forward deed
of the property together with $1,000
for each company located here, and
in return the government will come
forward with $4,000. This would
mean that for the investment in the
price of the site of the proposed new
armory and one thousand dollars for
each unit stationed here the army