The Mankato free press., 1923-04-20

w ORD In MankatO. A movement 10
shift the convention to another city
was thereby forestalled. The next
state camp OF the Modern Woodmen
Of America was secured for Mankato
largely through the efforts of the Civic
and Commerce association. we helped
TO bring the recent convention OF the
Northwestern Tent and Awning Manu-
faCturerS association to Mankato, and
the delegates left here feeling that they
had been royalty treated. The Memoir
ial Craftsmen of Minnesota will hold
a conference here this summer. We
helped to line this convention up for
Mankato. When the odd Fellows met
here some time ago, we contributed 500
toward expenses. The Knights OF CO.
lumbus held big, successful state con-
Vention in Mankato, and while ii was
handled well by local members, the
association did render some help that
was appreciated. We contributed $50 in
an endeaVor to secure a convention OF
the Minnesota State Fedora ton of La
Dor. but Mankato's invitation was not
accepted in that instance. When the
Shrine Club put on u Minstrel Show
here a while back the association was
instrumental in having many windows
decorated for the occasion. We helped
to secure the 1923 Older Boys confer
ence. Two District meetings of Lum-
bsrmen were held within the past few
al OuI OllCcS. Tdue par
ties from Minneapolis, Saint Paul and
Milwaukee have been entertained by
our association. With the cooperation
of the Mankato Automobile club. cars
were provided last summer and the
year before for sight seeing trips for
students attending summer school at
the state Teachers college. In the
same manner. cars were furnished for
the outing for the Public School play
grounds children.
The interesting debate between the
mayors of Saint Paul and MINNEAPOLIS
was brought to Mankato by the Civic
and Commerce association. II Is esti-
mated that between 1900 and 1000 peo-
pie heard this mayoralty debate. The
publicity for this out side Of Mankato
newspaper editors; SO letters to mayors
and about the same number to cham
bers of commerce.
This debate, the recent Bancock or
Highway Bond issue meeting and
other similar meetings. which were not
nesota gatherings. indicate clearly that
Mankato'S responsibility is by no
means confined to Mankato alone but
TO much Of Southern Minnesota es-
peclally when 1t comes to matters Of
more than local interest. 1t oftentimes s
happens that the entire state cannot
be covered on important propositions,
ana district meeting must OF necessity
be held. Whenever this happens. Man
kato is the logical place for the South
eo,,, ern Minnesota e; meeting. so It will be
round as time goes on that the people
OF Mankato through it's civic CONNER
cial organization will frequently have
10 assume leadership. or fail in its
duty. Mankato is now the trade CEN
ter both wholesale and retail: the
educational center, the transporta ton
center, the amusement center of a
large territory tributary to il, so n
naturally, follows that it should serve
as a center for thought. public express
siop ana acton. We should not lose
sight OF this important obligation, but
ever be on the alert to assume the
leadership that is expected of us,
PUBLICITY
Giving our community wholesale pub
nclty Is another plank in our major
program. Our outstanding achievement
along this line during the past year
Is our splendid system of cast-iron road
signs. A total of 527 of these dignified
appearing, durable signs, mounted on
iron posts: imbedded in concrete
are silently but constantly pointing the
way to Mankato along highways in all
directions from here for a hundred
miles and more. The twenty-three
hundred dollars that were spent on the
project are giving US good returns.
from the angle of directing and ac-
tually persuading tourists and Others
to come to Mankato.
The tourist business in Minnesota is
increasing rapidly. Our numerous, un-
paralleled lakes are far famed, and
during the summer months tbonsands
and thousands Of automobile tourists
and others are constantly headed in
the direction of Minnesota, "the Fiay-
grounds of the Nation. This desirable
activity of the Ten Thousand Lakes
of Minnesota association. In order to
help this work along our ASSOCIATIONS
appropriated 5000 slast year to the
Lakes association, and gave II $500 in
Vious. P''
The Civic and Commerce association
frequently receives requests for infor-
nation Of various kinds for publicat tion.
several articles on Mankato haze been
prepared prepared for use In connection with
newspaper publicity is disseminated
from our office.
Miscellaneous inquiries of all kinds
receive attention daily.
A short while ago. the association
kato name plate tags for use on auto
mobiles which are being sold at fifty
cents per pair. Mankato has derived q
great deal of publicity from these
tags. More than 400 pairs have been
Sold through our office.
We have on hand for free dIstr,hu-
tlon maps of the city OF Mankato. The
plate from which these maps were
tion.
Mankato is we'll known throuehout
the entire United States; this, in other
words, means that Mankato Is well ad :
Vertised.
TOURISTS
tourist trade is lucrative business.
It means outside money coming in"
Comment has already been made re-
garolng to our support of the Ten
Ihousand Lakes of Minnesota associa-
ton.
During the tourist season, We great
tourists passing through or stopping at
Mankato with our big 80 foot '"Wei-
come sign, which we hang in front NJ
our offices across Front street.
Our road sign, upon which comment
mas also been made. are an aid to the
public travelling in automobiles
Mankato has popular. high grade
Free Tourists Camp at Highland Park
tourists are loud in their praise Of the
camp grounds. This park was des-
lgnated as Tourists Camp Grounds
committee from this association and
the Mankato Automobile club.
We take pride in the Free Informa
ton Bureau for tourists which is
maintained at the association offices
During the tourist season, large oIan.
titles OF ROAD maps and literature is
handed out free of charge, as is also
information pertaining to roads and
routes. A wide variety of road MAPS
| is kept on hand at our offices.
STREET RAILWAY
During the past two years we heard
much pertaining to our street car svs.
tenn and relief needed by the Mankatc