The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-10-11
BETTER STREETS.
Aldermen Discuss How to Get
Them.
Narrower Drivewsys Proposed, and the
City at Large TO Stand Part of the
Expense.

Engineer Thompson in regard to Sc
curing better streets. Aid. Taylor
was the only one absent from the
IN Getting.
Informally, the aldermen discussed
the editorial in last evenings Free
Press, taking the stand that street i'm
proyements should be paid for out of a
general fund. The idea in a modified
form met general approval, and
number expressed their belief that the
thoughts advanced in the editorial were
timely and to the point.
The matter came up toward the close
of the session, when Mayor Petersen
suggested that the city build some
good streets next year. In the east the
cities pay certain proportion of the
expense, and the property owners the
balance, and there should be some way
to do this here. 1t is not surprising that
people object to paying the entire
cost. If the council could do so, it
should set apart fund for new street
work. The people as a whole should
stand some of the expense, as good
streets are a general benefit. A stone
crusher would also be a good thing.
The streets in Mankato are something
awful. In all the cities he and the
city engineer had seen there were no
such streets as here. The people in
general are favorable to street i'm
provement, but when it comes to any
particular street the property owners
object on account of the expense.
EngineerThompson said that stone
crusher could be, purchased for 81, 500
or less. There is plenty of stone in the
streets that could be used. The hard,
top stone from the quarries is thrown
away and could also be used.
Aid Heinze favored having the city
pay part of the expense of street i'm
provement. Property owners could
stand half of the cost. A stone crusher
would soon pay for itself.
Mayor Petersen said that by narrow
ing the driveways, paving will not be
nearly as expensive. 800 Twenty feet in
the center could be paved with four
inches of broken stone, with gravel on
the sides. Later the city could widen
and thicken the pavement. The gut
tiers are narrow in Mankato, the outer
horse of team tearing up the streets
outside the cutters. The city engineer
proposes to widen the cutters two feet,
which would be a good thing.
Aid. Heinze moved that the city
engineer be instructed to secure prices
on stone crushers and screens, and this
was carried.
Miscellaneous Business.
City Engineer Thompson reported
having granted building permit to
Mayer Bros. for erecting brick ad-
dition to their machine shop, with
gravel roof.
The resolution granting the Milwau-
kee road permission to construct a
temporary side track on Exchange
street was adopted. Tie time limit is
July IVthexG.
As.petition for sewer on Record
street from Fulton to Lewis was re-
,eived and referred to the commi ttee
IN sewers.
A petition for cross walk at Byron
and Lincoln streets was received and
to the street committee.
Petitions were received asking for
cross walks on Franklin street across
Fifth and Fourth streets, and the
board of public works was directed to
put them down.
A liquor license was ordered granted
% Henry Dreher and his bond was APP
with F. Hamman and John r.
Thomas as sureties.
A liquor license was granted to
oolchow & Thilgen on their filing a
proper bond.
The report of the delegates to the
Good Roads congress was
eceived and adopted.
The committee on claims and &C.
counts reported that it had audited the
books of the city recorder from Jan.
st, 1901, to Oct. 1st, 1901, and found
hem correct. The committee reported
hat it had checked the receipt stubs
Is shown by the city treasurer and
ound that the treasurer has under date
If Oct. 1st, 1901, surplus to the sum
# $111.41 that he has no receipts to
how for. The recorders book system
s such that he knows at the end of
ach month the financial condition of
he city.
The report was adopted.
Aid. Heinze said that the city treas
Irer's books are not in such shape as
hey ought to be, and should be gone
yer by someone who has the time and
trsightened out.
The committee on claims and &C
counts recommended that VIM. Siebert
,e paid S15 damages for injuries to
lis horse and buggy by falling into
;ulvert in West Mankato.
Aid. Heinze favored allowing $50
o Mr.. Siebert, and the council voted
o allow him $40 by general consent.
\. R. Pfau Jr. appeared as Mr.. Sic
,ert s attorney and asked for $25.
library 81 Tu ned Over.
E. L. Patterson, secretary of the Ii
,rary board, asked permission for the