The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-12-13
STREET PAVING.
Council FavOrs Making a Be
ginning Next Year.
Street Committee Instructed to Pre-.
pare a PIan---GOvernment Meat
Inspector Asked For.

devoted to the matter of making be-
ginning at paving some of our streets,
and the sentiment expressed was all
one way. 1t seemed to be the unani
nous opinion that beginning should
be made next year, and the only ques-
ton was as to the kind of pavement,
whether asphalt or macadam. Brick
does not seem to have any advocates.
Aid. Taylor brought the matter up
by saying that now was the time to
prepare for improving our streets.
Work should begin in the spring.
Mason City is way ahead of US, al
though smaller city.
Aid. Wilcox said that Mankato is
way behind Mason City and other
places in the matter of streets. He
was in favor of making a beginning
and putting in twelve or fourteen
blocks of paving next year on Broad
street, where most, of the property
owners can afford it.
Aid. Eichstaedt was in favor of 60
ing ahead.
Mayor Petersen said that on Broad
street most of the people could pay
their assessments and others could
borrow the money. 1t is unfortunate
that the city cannot extend the pay
ment over seven years, as is done at
Mason City.
City Attorney Daley said that the
| Mankato charter limits the matter,
, and the only way that the city can
extend the payments is for it to take
| judgments, which can be paid in five
installments with twelve per cent in
terest. Perhaps a lower rate of interest
could be agreed upon or the excess re-
bated at the end of five years, but this
is not good way. The council had
better act on the assumption that the
property owners will pay up as they
have on Second and Fulton streets.
The st. Paul charter is like the Man
kato charter. The assessment is lien
on the property. and if the council
departed from the charter provisions
somebody would lose its lien.
Aid. Eichstaedt asked whether a
meeting of property owners on some
street ought not to be called to decide
upon the kind of pavement to be put
down, as was done at Mason City.
Aid. Heinze favored putting down
macadam pavements with crushed
boulders Asphalt is expensive, owing
to the repairs needed after the guar
antee expires, so he had been in
formed
Aid. Taylor preferred asphalt The
asphalt companies guarantee rheil
pavement five, ten or fifteen years
backed with surety bonds. We have
the foundation in Mankato for thi
kind of pavement, which would make
the cost less. Asphalt pavement will
cement curb and gutter is an idea
street improvement.
! Aid. Wilcox said that he favored as
phait pavement, for when we got don,
we would have something. All tn,
material for this pavement is here ex
cept the asphaltum.
Aid. Eichstaedt did not think tina
macadam pavement lasts, as the sur
face wears off too rapidly.
Aid. Taylor suggested that the hous
connections be attended to at once.
Aid. Heinze asked whether in thu
, future the extension of water main
should not be made through the al
legs.
Engineer Thompson said that Water
loo, Iowa, and many cities have al
their pipes in the alleys. 1t was
good way to do.
Aid. Wilcox moved that the matter
be referred to the street committee t,
report plan for making beginning
at paving, at the next meeting. A be
ginning would have to be made, h.
said.
| Mayor Petersen suggested that the
city pay for paving the intersection
of streets, thus reducing the expense t.
the property owners.
The aldermen conceded with this.
| Engineer Thompson said that tn
city would be paying fifteen forty
Fights of the entire expense on the frs
street paved.
Aid. Taylor said that he had talke'
with a number of Broad street resi-
dents, who favored paving that street
but they did not like to start tn
move.
The motion was carried.
A petition was received from clever
property owners asking that Eas
Spring street be opened up and grade,
from Front to Fifth street. Referre,
to the street committee.
Meat Inspection.
Chas. J. Macbeth asked the council
to endorse his application to the gov
eminent for the appointment of gov
eminent meat inspector in Mankato.
. Health Officer Hielscher explaine
the matter and urged that the reques
be granted. Most packing houses hav
these inspectors, as it gives the meat
| better standing when it is shipped GU
of the city.
Aid Taylor said that Austin and Al
bert Lea have the inspectors.
: A resolution was passed endorsin
! the request.
' The liquor license application of J
J. Gould was granted, and his bond
with the U. S. Fidelity and Guarant
: Co. as surety, was approved.
Q The c. & N. w. road reported tina
, it had planked the Spring street cross