# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1905_S146
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

146 Proceedings of the 26th General or

...President is authorized to sell the property in Milwaukee known as the Starke Dock Property, if the Milwaukee Tug Boat Co. makes a favorable offer.

"Among other things, the late Mr. Starke also bequeathed to the Synod a property, consisting of two lots, on the waterfront in Milwaukee, Wis., with the stipulation that the proceeds — that is, the annual rent — should flow to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund. The question of whether the Synod itself or the Relief Commission should take over the property was, after careful deliberation, settled so that the Relief Commission would take it over, since the proceeds are, after all, to flow into the Relief Fund.

"Mr. John C. Koch of Milwaukee was kind enough to attend to the business side of this matter. The Relief Commission sent him the money for building the dock and all current expenses, such as taxes, insurance, etc., and he in turn sent the annual rent to the Commission. It soon became clear, however, that it would be more advantageous for us if, instead of leasing the property to the Milwaukee Tug Boat Co., we sold it to that company outright. For one thing, this company owns larger docks on both sides of ours, and ours is not large enough to be used by any other shipping line; and for another, the Tug Boat Co. has offered to pay us $9000.00 in cash for our dock.

"As long as a year ago (May 1904), Mr. Koch therefore advised concluding the sale, and the Commission, after carefully weighing the matter, agreed with this advice. But at the request of the Honorable General President the matter was to be deferred until it could first be submitted to the Delegate Synod for a decision. Since the Tug Boat Co. is still willing today to keep its offer open, and Mr. Koch advises carrying out the sale, the Relief Commission comes before the Honorable Delegate Synod with the proposal that it adopt a resolution authorizing the Honorable General President to sign the deed of sale." (Petition of the General Relief Commission.)

1. Resolved, that the General President be authorized to sell the Starke bequest, consisting of two lots located on the waterfront in Milwaukee, at an acceptable price, or respectively at the price which is finally offered for this property of the Synod.