The Mankato free press., 1904-10-28

| taps are allowed to run all day in stores
and private residences, and this will be
done away with, with meter rates. Wat
er is used to cool milk with, etc. Mayor
Taylor said he knew this to be sO
President Porter said that the city
agrees to keep the meters in repair for
ten years. He said that he doubted
whether the rates adopted can be main
tanned. If not, then they will have to go
up, for the city will have to raise
certain amount. The rates established
are certainly fair. If all the consum-
ers use the minimum rate the city's in
come will be but $660O The question
is how many will use more than the
minimum. The small consumer certainly
has no kick coming, as he can use wat
er for all purposes under his Sc year
rate, which he has never before been
able to do. He can have as many taps
as he wants to. The citizens would be
surprised to know who have one tap now
and use it for the sink and also for
sprinkling the lawns. If anybody has
a better plan than has been proposed
he should broach it.
City Attorney Daley asked facetiously
how much of a rakeOif is being had from
the water meters.
President Porter said that he had told
one lady that the meters cost forty cents
and the rakeOf is $l2. She was amaz-
ed at first, but afterwards apologized
and was satisfied. If anybody can show
any proof that Crown meter can be
bought anywhere for less than $l2.40 it
would please all of the city officials
The company maintains that it sells
them for no less to any city and never
goes into competition. If the city has
got cheated, then it should be shown, and
we will undertake to have the excess
money refunded.
| Aid. Kleinschmidt said that he was
not hypnotized by the company's agent
The aldermen examined different meters
very carefully, and he was satisfied that
price was $l2.4O with the connections
Aid. Jorgensen favored raising the
water rates on the large consumers so
as to ease up on the smaller ones.
| President Porter said that no commu-
nifty can fixe scale which will allow
anythingg like rate of twenty cents
a month as minimum, as had been sug-
gested.
The contract between the city and the
William Bierbauer estate for the pur-
chase by the former from the latter of
ed favorable report, estimating the cost
at 5000. The matter was referred back
to the board to proceed with the work by
days labor.
Aid. Kleinschmidt said that the Nc
Carthy company had been awarded the
lpaving contracts and agreed to COM
mence work at once, but it had defaulted
in way by holding back its bonds until
it was too late to commence work this
fall. The contract calls for work to be-
lgin in twenty days and be completed in
ninety days. Can this be done now I?
Other bidders would have bid just as
cheap if they had had until spring to do
the work. If longer time is to be grant
ed, the specifications should be chang
ed. The company has acted unjustly,
and the city certainly should enforce
the $40 day penalty.
Aid. Schroeder did not think that the
the private sewer on Rock street for $500
was presented. The mayor and city re-
lcoarder were authorized to sign it.
The board of public works reported the
sale of old plank taken from the Min
nesota river bridge, with the names of
the purchasers and amounts received.
aggregating $3.50. The report was ac-
!cepted.
The board reported favorably upon the
curbing and guttering of Hickory street
between Broad and Fourth streets, and
estimating the cost at $456, all of which
can be assessed on the property benefit
ed. The matter was referred back to the
board to get bids.
The bonds of the Mccarthy Improve
ment company on its paving contracts
were presented, nine in number, fur
nished by the Aetna Indemnity COM
pany.
The matter of graveling North Fifth
street from Madison avenue to Spring
street was taken up, and it was referred
to the board of public works under order
No. l, the city to pay 81 per lot and the
property owners 81. The board present
council has a right to go into the mat
ter, now that the time has expired.
Aid. Kleinschmidt said that the
street car company proposes to pave
with brick between the rails, which
would make curious looking street.
He moved that the whole matter be
lrescinded.
Aid. JOrgensen said that the street
railway company can be held under it's
franchise to pave between the rails with
the same material as outside. Nobody
wants the pavement laid this winter.