The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-04-21
bridge was suitable or substantial

bridge was suitable or substantial
enough.
Mr.. Andrews said that it was very
much desired to go across the bridge,
as that was one of the most hopeful
lines. The proper provisions for the
safety of the bridge might be made.
The bridge is twenty feet wide, and u
car takes up but eight feet The
bridge between Fargo and NIoorhead
is about the same as this bridge, and
the car line goes across.
Aid. Atchison said that he was salts,
fled if the company would indemnify
the city from damage to the bridge.
AID Schroeder was also satisfied if the
company would stand the expense of
putting the bridge in shape. Mr.. An
drews was satisfied with this.
AID Hampl said that the result would
be to hasten the construction of another.
bridge. Aid. Heinze thought that am
other was needed.
\ recess was taken to talk the ordi-
nance over, and it was thought to be
safer to cut out the provision giving
the company the right to cross the Min
nesota river bridge, owing to the great
danger to teams crossing. If it can
be found later on investigation that the
car line could cross the bridge, the al
derman expressed themselves as being
willing to give the necessary permission.
When the council reassembled, the or
dinance was given its first reading.
Mr.. Andrews suggested that it was
the opinion of the members of the
company present that the bridge matter.
ought to be settled at once, as the
North Mankato line is an essential part
of the proposed system. To leave this
out would leave the company stranded
as far as future negotiations are con-
cerned. 1t was not desired to use the
bridge if it was not safe. He presented
a proviso that before any car could run
over the bridge the latter should be
made strong and safe, to the satisfac-
ton of the council, and at the expense
of the street car company. The mat
ter would be one for the engineers and
experts to examine into. 1t might be
that it would be necessary to extend
the piers ON one side and widen the
bridge for a street car line where one
of the foot bridges is.
1t was stated that the bridge is but
eighteen feet wide. Allowing foot be-
tween the car and the trusses, one
half of this space would be taken by
a car in crossing.
Aid. Heinze feared that some farmers
might fear accidents on the bridge and
not come to Mankato, if they were
living about as near some other trad
ing point.
Another recess was taken to cOnsid
er the matter informally. There was
long discussion, without result, and the
members of the company finally agreed
that the matter stand until Friday
night, when regular meeting of the
council will be held, and by which time
public sentiment might be ascertained
The aldermen were anxious to do all
they could for the street car company,
but feared that the public would not
stand for the proposition to allow the
cars to cross the present bridge, as
it now is. 1t was stated that the
street cars and the steam cars and
gates would form death trap at the
east end of the bridge. City Engineer
Thompson also questioned whether the
bridge is strong enough to stand the
concentrated weight of street car
loaded with passengers. 1t was impos-
sible to take the street roller across
the bridge, he said.
No other business was transacted at
the meeting