The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-03-20
One Formed to Lock After the Well
fare of the City.
Officers and Directors Elected, Work
Will be Started.
Addresses by the Leading Citizens
Favor the Movement.
The League Wilt be Advisory and
Has a FieId.
From Thursdays Daily.

i ioii Ahu ouay Daly.
The Mankato Civic Improvement
League was organized last night at a
meeting held in the basement of the
Methodist church. While the meeting
was not as well attended as was expect
ed, still there was very fair attendance,
considering the condition of the weather.
The meeting was called to order by
Miss Parker, chairman of the Social
Science club committee Prof. U. o.
Cox was chosen chairman and Miss Par
ker secretary.
c. N. Andrews gave an interesting
|.address on what Such Leagues Have
lDone in Other Towns" He said that
[such leagues have in mind the general
wellfare of the cities in which they are
located. Each works according to the
Especial conditions of its city, but ON the
whole aiming to beautify the city for
lone thing The work returns a dividend
in the increase of land values, increased
Opportunities, and better surroundings,
inducing immigration, and adding to ae-
Etual growth and prosperity. The leagues
supplement the efforts of city officials
ito beautify their cities. They devote
their attention to drives, parks, signs,
lpaint, educating public opinion so that
defective results can be obtained. They
IalSo aim to provide for purer air in
Theatres, public halls and schools, and
lalso strive in the matter of water, it's
healthfulness and distribution, and drink
ing places for men and beasts; and also
sunshine-to remove the dense growth of
ttrees, and attack the smoke nuisance,
land counterfeit microbe activity in damp
tness. They work in the matter of
drainage, garbage, refuse, quarantine,
tetc They are active in all lines of
work that can be properly undertaken.
IThey work in the matter of vacant lots,
fcleaning them and making them into
Iplay grounds, the placing of wires in
lalleys or underground, paving, weeds,
snow, ice, mud in the streets, and trans
lportation. Most leagues have commit
ltees that give attention to public places,
such as depots, public buildings, parks,
Iriver fronts, etc. Much of the work is
Idone through the schools and children in
the matter of education. The leagues
are most effective where they cooperate
with the authorities of city or village,
land it would be so in this city.
| There is evidence that this spirit has
fbeen abroad among the public officials of
tMankato. The present council, said Mr..
Andrews, has done great many things
in line with the thought and work of
sueh leagues. 1t bought the balance of
Sibley mound for the park, and put a
road around it, and did this at time
when it was trying to make record in
Ipaying off the floating debt. Out of
Ipurely sentimental motives it agitated
the matter of making lake out of the
slough, and discussed it earnestly. How
ever practicable the scheme, the fact
remains that a good spirit was shown.
It also made record in paving Broad
Istreet. This was an improvement that
Twas most wholesome and necessary, and
lis the particular pride of every eiti-
zen today. 1t is the one green spot
or rather, the one dry spot-in Man
Ikato today. 1t has added to the value
of the property twice over what it cost,
|if the property had to pay for it. The
local board of health has also been ac-
tive in instituting public baths, and the
board of public works in constructing
suitable walks. Mr.. Andrews said that
he believed that the work of the league
would be supplemented and seconded by
the efforts of the public authorities here
as well as it is in other places.
Mr.. Andrews read the "creed" of the
Woman's Civic League of st. Paul and
letters from ladies who belong to similar
leagues in Jackson and Waseca, showing
that they have accomplished a great deal
of good in those places.
Mr.. Andrews said that he thought that
this meeting should organize into a
league of persons who "do things" He
submitted a form of organization which
he had prepared and moved its adoption.
The name of the organization is to be the
Mankato Civic improvement League, and
it's object is to be to improve the general
welfare of the city Anybody can join
it on the payment of dues. The manage
ment of the league shall rest in board
of directors, consisting of four officers
and seven directors, consisting of the
four officers and seven directors, one OF
whom shall reside in North Mankato.
The annual meeting is to be held on the
first Monday in March at 8 p. m. Vari-
ous committees are also provided.
The constitution was adopted without
discussion, the dues being placed at %
cents, and w. A. Funk, Mrs. w. D. Will
lard and Mrs. F. M. Currier were ap-
pointed. committee to nominate set
of officers.
| Mrs. j. H. James read paper on
sSWhat Can be Done for and Through the
Public Schools" She said that trees
could be set out, vines planted, school
rooms provided with window boxes, seeds
given and prizes awardedsto the children
for the best flowers grown. Attention