The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-08-14
Council Deals Literally With Great
Western and Milwaukee Roads.
Ordinance Granting Use Of Streets and
Alleys Passed Promptly.
Great Western Refused Permission to
Move Its Freight Depot.
Cost of Waterworks System for East
MankatO to Be Investigated.
From Thursdays Daily.

The council disposed of the railroad
question at its adjourned meeting last
night, by passing an ordinance under sus-
pension of the rules granting everything
that the Great Western and Milwaukee
roads desire in the way of track and
ward rights, and without any conditions
in the way of gates or flag men at street
crossings. The roads are required to do
their share of street paving whenever
the streets are paved. Having been
liberal with the roads, the council felt
no conjunction in turning down a re-
quest from the Great Western road that
it be permitted to move its old frame
depot TO a point back of the Glass Block,
within the fire limits.
Mayor Taylor presided, and all of the
aldermen were present. The Great West
ern road was represented by General At
torney A. c. Briggs and Bridge Engi-
neer A Munster of st. Paul and w. E..
Young of this city and the Milwaukee
road was represented by a. r. Pau Sr.
Mr. Briggs general attorney of the
Great Western railroad, presented an or
dinance and blue prints covering the
points which they desire to carry out.
He explained that his company would
be willing to pave their part on Jackson
and Cherry streets whenever those
streets are paved. The Great Western
and Milwaukee roads will have double
track which they will use jointly, except
where the right of way is too narrow.
Only these two tracks will cross Jack
son street, but it will be unavoidable
that a number of tracks cross Cherry
street, as that is in the midst, of the
Great Western yards. The Great West
ern side tracks will extend north to jack
son street, and the Milwaukee side tracks
will extend south to that street, and each
road will have a number of these tracks.
The Great Western freight depot will
face jackson street on the south side,
opposite the union depot.
Aid. Plymat moved the adoption of
the ordinance, which grants the two
roads permission to cross the streets, al
leys and public grounds as shown upon
the plat that was filed. The crossings
are to be planked to the top of the rails
and so maintained. The city has the
right to construct sewers and water pipes
under the tracks, and the companies must
protect the tracks. The companies agree
to pave the alley to Pike street, as stat
ed above.
City Engineer Thompson thought that
the companies should put in stone cul
vert to carry off the water of Warren
creek. Eventually the walls should be
extended.
AID Kleinschmidt conceded with this
Mr.. Briggs said that his road was will
ing to put in stone abutments, with
stringers overhead This was satisfac-
tory to the council.
A. R. Pau ST.. said that he had no
doubt but that the Milwaukee road
would meet the city ON this matter, but
he was not authorized to accept such a
change, and he hoped that it would not
be made, as it would delay the roads |
getting into the center of the city. The |
city can order the change made at any
time, as it has legal right to do.
The rules were suspended and the or
dinance was given its second reading,
and was passed.
Must Build New Depot.
MIR. Briggs said that the Great West
ern road would like to move its present
freight depot to the south side of jackson
street and cover it with iron that looks
like brick.
The mayor and city engineer said that
a permit to move the building cannot be
given, as it is against the ordinance.
Mr.. Briggs said that the building
would be 65 feet away from the near
est building. If it was Is feet, the