The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-03-20

cious thinning and trimming of trees, DIS
about the Union school grounds, for
example. If the league supplied urns
for the various school grounds, flowers
could be raised out of the reach of dogs,
as other flower beds would be found dis
appointing. The teachers are already
overburdened, and could not care for the
beds. Other nations are in advance of
ours in the matter of identifying public
grounds. japanese school grounds and
parks are maryelously beautiful. Every
city in Mexico abounds with parks and
open places, where flowers and statuary
are found
Mrs. B. D. Smith spoke upon the same
subject She said that there are places
in Mankato where plant would seem
very much out of place. There are
many vacant lots that could be used for
other things than ball grounds. Mrs.
Smith told of what is being done in other
towns along this line. A league here
should be large and can do much, es-
pecially in the way of educating the peo-
|ple. Boys should be taught not to cut
across corners and over lawns.
Five-minute speeches followed on what
such league can do in Mankato.
DIR. j. w. Andrews said the league
should be large. He regretted that no
one from lower town was present. The
work should be largely educational.
There should be agitation about homely
trees and dirty back yards. The league
should encourage in every possible way
the cleaning up and identifying of the
homes. A prize could be offered for the
prettiest back yard If people take care
of the back yards the front, yards take
care of themselves. Soon citizens will
acquire taste for these things and
something will be accomplished. DR..
Andrews favored flower beds on the
court house square. The league should
be one for the entire city.
E. L. Patterson said that ladies can
do more than men can, as people will
know that they are acting from no sell
fish interest. He favored making a lake
out of the slough, and complimented
Park Superintendent Blake-He suggested
that business men be more. careful about
the appearance of their stores, offices
nd cin Tho on,,nos1 xua.1Id Hnnht
be glad of the support of civic
league.
F. NJ Currier said that along certain
lines the league could do a great deal,
but would find it more difficult to bring
about things, in Mankato than in other
towns, as large portion of the popula-'
ton does not seemI to care about theig
surroundings, The object of the league
is good The ladies, will have to be de-
pended upon..too do the most work.; The
dues ought tophe, a. dollar, as the money
will be needed;
DIR. William, Jaeoby said that every
subject had been touched upon save one
the dogs. Flower beds on school, grounds
and private, lawns are impossible" with
dogs running at large. The civic. inn
provemeat, league should be the hand
maid of the sanitary department. of
every town. When it Makes an town
sanitary it goes long ways toward
making, III beautiful. The city has, been
receiving asa education in sanitary matt
tiers, tfia4 was hard in the beginning
The. league can make the city more
healtiifttl by inducing the cutsing: out of
trees and replanting. Many houses are
slia,isf entirely too mucE,, Sun, light
land air Induce health more cham all else,
and are deadly to bacteria. There Is
room for more Improvements in, the clear-
Illness of the streets and alleys. Wore
|paving is needed, and it cannot come too
l fast from sanitary point of, view. The
killing and handling of meats in the city
needs the attention Of someone. Lit Is
hard to pass an ordinance and enforce T..
Churches, schools and other public places
are seldom properly wentilnted, and are
breeding places of disease. The bake
shops also need looking after, as we sell
dom get pure bread, There are two ways
of combating disease, by field work ana
by prevention. The latter is secured by
having competent sanitary board in our
city. The league should be ready to sug-
gest to and cooperate with the board OF
health.
B. C. Taylor complained of boys run
ming over lawns. He said that this meet
ing was small part of the general move
ment over the country for civic improve
ment, not only aesthetic but political.
He suggested the improvement of va
can't and railway lots. He was not in
favor of waste paper boxes on the streets.
Mankato is long way ahead'in having
a man 60 along the streets and pick up
paper. At Waseca he had seen baskets
battered and bruised and pounded down,
and they were no ornament to the city.
The league should be careful and make
it's work advisory and suggestive to
people, and notify to force anything on
them.
E. L. Patterson suggested that there be
a comittee on commendation as well as
on suggestion.
The following officers were elected on
the recommendation of the committee