The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-01-10
NO ELECTRIC PROPOSITIONS ARE
RECEIVED.
An. Extension of, 3sTime Given and
n Conferences InVited-A Western
Electric Co. Agent Makes State
ment-A Park Ordinance and an
Anti Nuisance Ordinance Passed
City Cannot Pay the Humane Of
ficer's Salary.

DAY nlgnG, sanQ ali Ol Uue dluerueH
were present.
A petition was received from Fow-
Ter & Pay and L, R. Coughlin asking
that the south half of Madison ave-
nue. from WIllow'street to the wester-
ly end be opened for travel. 1t was
referred to the street committee.
The letters regarding the electric
light and street railway propositions,
already referred to in these columns,
were read aud ordered placed on
file. There was also a cOmmunica-
tion from the Mankato Gas and Elec-
trio Light Co.. suggesting a confer
ence to get at a better understanding
of what is wanted, and that the time
for receiving propositions be extend
ed for the benefit of all prospective
bidders.
Aid. Andrews moved that the COM
pany be invited to hold conference
with the council as suggested, at
some time to be agreed upon, and
this was carried. He made a similar
motion TO apply to other companies,
the time to be limited to Jan. 18th,
and this led to considerable debate.
Aid. Bradley held that there was
nothing definite for the companies
TO bid upon. The number of lights
and the number of miles of track are
not stated. As a matter of business
if it was his matter he would sit
down and put oin black and white
just what was wanted, and then he
would ask for bids. There was no
basis for propositions now.
Aid Andrews thought that mat
Bers had gone along all right. He
would do as the Yankee does, and ask
the companies what they will do, and
then the council will be in position
10 accept or modify the offers, and
make the best bargain possible. The
matter has advanced to where con-
ference should be held,
Aid. Bradley held to his ground
and did not see what could be gained
by meeting the companies one by
one. There is only one way of doing
business and that is on the square
and knowing what we want. He
would act as business men towards
business men. We are not in posi-
tion to meet these companies in
business way. 1t is the duty of the
council, first to see what the city
wants, specifically, without going
through all these preliminaries,
which amount to nothing
Mayor Weaver said that the coun-
ell would not have any occasion to
hold any meetings, as they would not
be troubled by the companies.
Engineer Woolson introduced Mr..
Norton, of the Western Electric Co.,
of Chicago, which is putting in
plant at Window. Mr. Norton said
that the councils proposition is very
indefinite and he didn't know that
his company would desire franchise.
He did not think that any large COM
pany would accept franchise and
operate a plant, even with buying
clause. They would simply furnish
the machinery, and private capital
should be interested to take the fran
chise and put in the machinery. The
proposition is SO indefinite that no
satisfactory meeting could be held.
The council should make definite
proposition and receive offers, and
many more companies would take an
interest in the matter.
The motion was carried, Aids. Him
melman and Bradley voting mo-"
The city recorder was instructed TO
notify the companies.
The street committee reported in
favor of granting the petition for the
reduction of the width of the alley
through block IS, of Everett and Nc
Sweeney's plat, from thirty to fifteen
feet. This report was accepted.
The street committee reported in
favor of grading down the alley back
of the government building lot, and
authorizing the city engineer to grade
it.
Geo. e. Brett objected to a cut of
over ten inches, as it would incon-
yenience the approach to his barn.
He did not want to appear unreason-
able.
Architect Gerlach said that the cut
at the barn ought to be about eight
teen inches.
The report was rejected, and the
city engineer was instructed to pre-
pare profile of the alley.
The committee on claims and ac-
counts reported in favor of rejecting
the claim of Peter Kramer for $50
for damages alleged to have been re-
ceived while at work in the excaya-
tion for the West Mankato water
mains. 1t held that the injury was
caused through no fault of the CITY.
The roDOrt was accounted