The Mankato free press., 1922-10-20
VIEWS OF LAYMEN
Discussion of Controversies

Mankato 4nnn, October IT,
To The Free Press: There seems to
De very disturbing element in our
beautiful little city. who seem to find
fault with this or that and contin-
uely keep us in the limelight at the
detriment of our progress and
growth and If some of these parties
would use half as much effort in the
other direction for the good of
Mankato we would be growing far
more rapidly than we are. For in
stance, a short time ago new char
ter was thought to be necessary for
the salvation of Mankato as we
of some few disgIuntled Office seek
ers, who were defeated at the last
election. This charter commission.
comprised of ex-mayors and ex-
councilmen. who have served our
city in the past and if it will be re-
membered served while this street
car company paving, which now is
in the controversy, was laid. 1t
might be well also to recall the fam
Gus Front street lighting system.
which was installed at the same
time, what then could we expect
from such a commission. Have
they not made a bungle again with
this new charter and to top matters
they insist that the same be submit
red to the peoples vote any way re
gardless of its legal condition with
statement that II same is voted on
and found defective to have courts
decide same afterward, and at
whose expenses-the taxpayer of
course. Thanks to our mayor. who
has proved o be a real mayor with
the backbone to be Of real service to
the people of Mankato.
In the street car matter he again
shows he has the interests of the
taxpayer at heart, our taxes being
outrageously high. There is no reas-
why the street car company should
not live up to its franchise as en-
tered into with the city. Seemingly
this is n matter where some of the
resident stockholders feel that the
taxpayers should assume this paw
ingf Instead of the street car COM
pany II surely is resrettable to see
the stand our Civic and Commerce
association has taken In this mat
ter. to have made so little efforts in
the interest of the taxpayers. What
then have we this Civic and Com
merce association for to serve only
a few or the entire community? For
had they made as much effort in the
right direction as they have other
wise. this matter would not have
gone as far as it has. The attitude
of the street car company is quite
different now than a short time ago
when the statement was made they
would remove the tracks If they
were not granted what they asked
for. However now that they see our
mayor is in earnest they say
they will fight. Should the street car
company cease in Mankato the
poor man without an auto need not
fear for il will be only a matter of
short. time until a motor bus car line
will be established similar TO which
has been tried successfully in an
even larger city than Mankato.
Rochester for instance. also has
been in operation successfully in
Austin and many Npther cities.
There is no need whatever for a
special election to add still more
taxes for the overburdened taxpayer
to shoulder at this time. when our
duly elected officers can fully
handle this matter especially so
with our mayor who truly has Man
kato's interest at heart. Yours truly.
John Scholl. 633 South Broad street