The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-03-04
TALKED UP THE Project
Oratory and Logic Used In
Behalf of Building
STEINER GIVES OPINION
He Wanted To Know Where the
Money Needed Was Com
ing From

building of new armory in Man
kato was the special order of bust
ness at last nights meeting OF the
city council. The session was very
largely attended by representative
business men and a number OF
prominent farmers who were unani-
mously in favor OF the proposition.
A number of sites were mentioned,
and one offer of a donation Of site
was made to the city council.
Councilman Chris Steiner, while
he stated that he favored the erec-
tion Of new armory and the build
ing of new schools, was very out
spoken when he said that he had
his doubts as to where the money
is to come from to make the propos-
ed improvements. He declared that
the present bonded Indebtedness of
the city is $4,000 together with
$4,000 outstanding certificates OF
Indebtedness, which runs the total
up near the 100000 mark. He said
that if more bonds are issued more
taxes will have to be paid. If the
city wants to run the bonded in
debtedness up into the millions, let's
hop to it, but l just thought that |
would tell you that some one will
have to foot the bills" said Council
liam Steiner.
After hearing a large number of
taxpayers express themselves in
favor OF the building of new arm
or, the Council took the proposition
under consideration until next Mon
day mornings meeting. Mayor Wat
tiers explained that the reason for
this postponement was due to the
fact that a number of propose.
are under consideration. The coun-
ell wants more time to consider the
prices asked.
At the opening of the meeting
City Clerk Bates read a communi-
cation from E. w. Willard Land
company offering lot 8, block %, on
Second street as a proposed site at
$11.500. On motion Of Councilman
Steiner the communication was
Number of People Spoke
Following this Mayor Waters
called on a large number of the bus
mess men present to express them
selves on the matter Of a new arm
DRY and community building.
Charles r Butler said that he was
more than anxious to have Mankato
take advantage OF the state appro-
priation for armory purposes. The
OhcI "do a LuOSC iloCidl Vic III thdt
for the investment Of about $4,000
the city would receive in return
100000 toward building the pro-
posed building. No business man
would turn down proposition
where he would receive four dollars
for every one invested. II possible
MIR Butler would like to see the
armory and community building
combined, but If both can not be
built at present, by all Means erect
the armory.
President W. A. Streater of the
Manaato Civic and Commerce as
ISOLATION said that the proposition
of the erection of a new armory
had been before the people for a
long time. 1t has now resolved it
self into the proposition of whether
the citizens of Mankato are back of
the movement or not. 1t was to de-
termine this question that the arm
DRY was made The special order of
stated that there might be some
present who did not favor the propo-
sition. AS far as the members of
the Civic and Commerce association
were concerned they are all in fav-
or of the proposition and have so
gone on record. Mr.. Streator dwelt
at some length on the advantages of
having good sized building in Man
kato where large conventions could
be held. If this building were Sc
cured Mankato might well be made
the convention city of Southern
Minnesota, The speaker had no GER
tain site in mind, but thought that
the location should be central, and
not too far from the street car lines.
1t is now up to the people to decide
whether to build an armory alone,
or an armory and community build
ing combined.
Charles T. Taylor said that the
question resolved itself into one of
not know whether scheme could be
worked out whereby this money
could be raised He was in favor of
the movement il the money could be
obtained.
DIR. A. E. Sohmer favored the
movement If for no other reason
than 1t would accommodate large con-
ventions in Mankato which would
mean much to the city in more ways
than one.
Remarks BY Mr.. Patterson.
H. A. Patterson remarked that as
he understood the military situation,
Mankato will have to act quickly in
order to be able to take advantage of
the state appropriation. There is no
question but that larger meeting place
is necessary to Accommodate the mill
uary units in the city. Like some of
the former speakers, Mr.. Patterson
said that to turn down the proposition
of the state where Mankato is to r..
ceive 81 for every 81 invested. would,
to use the mildest terms. be unbus-
iness-like. No business man would
turn down such an offer. Speaking
Of site, Mr.. Patterson said that he
thought it should be centrally located.
The all important thing now is to de-
eide whether the building will be an
armory alone or community in con-
nection with II.
Charles T. Taylor referring to the
statement Of President Streater to the
effect that the city council Is en-
powered to issue bonds for armory
purposes up to certain limit without
calling for an election for the same,
asked City Attorney William F.
Hughes for an opinion on the ques-
ton.
City Attorney Hughes replied that
he thought that there is considerable
doubt as to whether the council could
issue the bonds without calling a
special election for the floating the
proposed bonds. Mr.. Hughes wanted
to know whether there was a short
limit placed on the acceptance OF the
o n