The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-03-18
VIEWS Of EAYMEN
Regarding the Proposed Armory

Regarding the proposed N"oiy
Mankato, Mimi, March 5.-To The
Free Press: 1t certainly is amusing
to note how some Of our business
men and others take 1t upon them
selves to speak for the small taxpay-
er in the matter of the proposed new
armory building stating that the
small taxpayer is in favor of the
building of this new armory. How
they come to this conclusion without
consulting some of us is hard to un-
derstand since building like this
time of depression and taxation from
all sources to be paid by almost
everybody together with the high cost
OF material and labor Is further not
absolutely needed at this time when
homes are most needed, to house
newcomers to Mankato. However
no encouragement is ever given to this
are now clamoring for this useless
waste Of money at this time. particu-
larly note that one of our business men
is In favor of this armory and the
spending of this money when he
himself Is postponing the building of
his home on account of high costs;
yet he favors building this armory.
Further it has come to my notice just
recently where some prospective
investigating with a view Of locating
in Mankato and buid homes, aband-
oned same on account of our high tax
rates. Then why has our city to go
deeper in debt for this armory build
ing and increase our taxes still
more; keep newcomers away and de-
crease our population: I say II any
them have 1t as we can surely find
more profitable enterprises for Man
kato in the way of manufacturing
plants than this armory which at the
most would mean additional expen-
ses for up keep in the course Of time
and otherwise supported financially,
adding further taxation. note also
Fairmont and Albert Lea and others.
who have more manufacturers than
Mankato, are not breaking their
necks to secure this armory, but are
more interested to secure something
worth while in the way of manu-
featuring plants to add to what they
already have. Instead, we in Man
knitting mills; one less industry with
no effort whatever to replace same or
secure others. If Lets Go" is Man
kato's slogan, go, but go in the right
direction and secure something for
Mankato which is worth while in the
way Of factories with its whistle, its
army of mechanics and pay checks
every Saturday instead Of the bugle.
Mr. Dahl stated that the old armory
will be used as warehouse for stor-
ing purposes and that there would be
drayinG which would go into the
working mems pockets, the amount
Of this being from the mere hauling
Of q few bags Of beans every now
and then. This would mean employ
ment of a storekeeper who would In
any event have to be paid by the
taxpayer and which would surly
leave nothing IN the way of an invest
met for Mankato to be proud of other
than added taxes The sooner we
wake up to this fact that Mankato
needs factories and homes instead OF
a new armory and note how some OF
our neighboring little cities are
striving along this line. the better
for US. If we don't we will wake up
some fine morning and find Albert
Lea, Fairmont and few others forg-
ed ahead Of US and in the city class
and Mankato in the village class
John Scholl. 633 South Broad street.