The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-11-27

per papers, a deed from Mr.. Willard to
the city, and contract from the city
to Mr.. Willard. The motion was car
ried unanimously.
Declared an Eyesore.
! H. L.. Schmitt appeared before the
council on behalf OF some of the Broad
street residents, and said that the row
of electric light poles down the street is
an eyesore, and the appearance of the
street is spoiled as long as the poles are
there. 1t will make no difference wheth-
er the poles are painted white, green or
yellow. They hide the boulevard on their
side. The council started out with the
laudable idea of having Broad street i'm
proved according to the paFh system.
He favored placing the poles along the
sidewalk line rather than the curb line.
The officers of the company are will
| ing to take the matter up, and he ask
ed the council to take it up with them.
Geo. E. Brett endorsed what Mr..
Schmitt had said. He suggested that
the wires be placed in conduits under
ground, just inside the curbing, as is
done in all large cities.
F. NJ. Currier seconded what had been
said by both gentlemen, and urged that
something be done. Broad street, all now
agree, is beautiful street, and should
be kept so. He thanked the council on
behalf of the Civic Improvement league,
for the wise and far sighted action which
it had taken in accepting Mr. Wizards
offer of the parkway.
NJ. G. Willard suggested that the wires
run along the alleys and thence to poles
on the street corners with arms extend
ing out.
DIR. j. w. Andrews said that it would
be very pleasing to the Civic Improve
ment league if the council would take
the matter up and arrive at some solu-
ton satisfactory to all. He urged that
efforts be made to acquire the North
Fourth street property owned by the
Omaha road, for park purposes. The
city should get all it can at reasonable
prices for park purposes.
Mr. Willard said that he, too, thank
ed the council for accepting his offer
of the parkway. He had bought the
land to give it to the city, and he
thought that the council could be proud
of its action. 1t was something that
all would appreciate more as the years
go on.
DIR. Andrews complimented the council
for granting the Northwestern Telephone
Exchange Co. permission to place some
of its wires underground and taking
down some of its poles.
aid. Coy favored taking up the mat
ter of the poles on Broad street with the
Mankato Gas and Electric Light COM
lpany.
4 Aid. Kleinschmidt moved that a meet
ing of the council, the company's officers
and a committee of the Civic Improve
ment league be held next Monday at 10
a. m. to consider the matter This was
carried.
Miscellaneous Business.
Aid. Coy said the central station fire
men desired the city to buy them caps.
The matter was laid over to see whether
this has been customary.
Aid. Kleinschmidt said that the city
has chance to buy white oak plank for
the Minnesota river bridge. He moved
that the board of public works be direct
ed to advertise for bids for plank for
the bridge, to be received April lst or
May lst. This was carried.
Mayor Taylor said that he had heard
that planks laid lengthwise last long
er than those laid crosswise.
Aid. Kleinschmidt said that where
this is done cross planking is done on
top of the planks laid lengthwise.
| AID. Kleinschmidt urged that the nego-
tiations for the purchase of the Omaha
blocks on North Fourth street be push
| ed.
It was stated that City Attorney
Daily has written to the officials of the
road about the matter, but has not yet
heard from them.
AID Jorgenson stated that he had
been told where the city could obtain a
fine young deer for the park if it
wished to.
1t was thought that the city has no
proper place to keep the deer, and the
matter was not considered.
| Aid. Schroeder said that j. B. Nielsen
had been nearly run over by Mil
waukee train at the Main street cross
ing. The council had some time ago
directed that gates or fagman be pro-
vided.
1t was left with the city attorney to
press the road to take action.
Aids. Roemer and Kleinschmidt comp
planned of lights being out.
The latter said that the lighting bill
for last month should be cut in two
Aid. Mckinley said that the police re-
port would show that there are an aver
aye of twenty lights out nightly.
]. R. Thompson Reappointed.
Mayor Taylor announced the appoint
ment of j. r. Thompson city engineer
for fba farm endiuy i'm ADril. 1905. This