The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-05-26

pipe extends to the school grounds.
Capt. Keysor said that he was in
sympathy with the idea of having the
finances all right. The Franklin build
ing has waited for tnirty-six or forty
years for the finances to get in shape
If this is waited for, the binding will
not be fixed in the time of members of
this board. A beginning must be made
somewhere. Capt. Keysor said that he
would rather take the abuse of the tax
payers for high taxes than the abuse of
the mothers for not furnishing their
children with comforts. We should keep
up with the times, and steam heating
is now considered one of the modern
comforts. When he had completed his
term on the board he wanted to leave
the school buildings in the best possible
condition. He did not favor sitting ON
the board and talking economy and
keeping down improvements. He could
name men in this city, who, had they
not gone into debt, would never have
had homes of their own There is now
in the improvement fund, $3,093, in the
sinking fund 1884, and in the special
fund, $3.50, while the current fund is
overdrawn, $4,79l, leaving balance in
the treasury of $3.50. The buildings
are in good condition, and not much
money will have to be expended upon
them this year.
Mr.. Fletcher said that Minneapolis
went in to keep up with the times until
it got so far into debt that it could not
build buildings to take care of the
children. The tax rate in this city is
high and sidewalks are to be built and
streets paved, all of which will be ex
pensive. Some people will have to
mortgage their property to pay for paw
ing and people hesitate about holding
property.
Judge Comstock said that the West
Mankato building is exposed and needs
a heating plant more than any other
building in the city. For this reason he
would like to favor the improvement if
the finances permit The finances just
now are in very good shape. The high
school bonds fall due in September and
the sinking fund will be applied on that.
The current Improvements will require
81 900 to $1,000 There is now pledged
more than there is cash in the treasury,
but in June there will be some money
coming in. If the West Mankato heat
ing plant is put in, all of the funds
will be exhausted by September, except
for what is received in June. At best,
the funds will be left very low.
Mr.. Currier said that he knew little
of the merits of heating plant, but
considered that Mr.. Pass has had much
experience with heating plants and ne
was willing to trust his judgment He
felt sympathy for all the thoughts ex
pressed, but thought that the wishes of
the parents should be considered. He
Judged that if the plant is put in, the
year will be started with $4,000 less
cash than last year. The payroll has
been increased about 5000 or 800. Bar
ring unforeseen accidents, the district can
get along without borrowing money, but
if it should be necessary to borrow lit
tie no great harm would result He
saw no reason why $4,000 or $4,000, for
heating plant in the Franklin building
should lie idle in the treasury for senti-
mental reasons if no plant is to be put
in there.
Mr.. Fletcher said that heating plant
is as much needed in the Franklin build
ing as in the West Mankato building.
The addition should be built, and can
be left unfinished, and if absolutely nec-
essary the West Mankato plant can be
put in and all done under one contract
and bonds issued to pay for it, if nee
essary.
Mr.. Currier asked what the council
was likely to do about extending the
water mains to the Franklin building
Capt Keysor replied that it had been
suggested that an artesian well could
be put down at the Franklin building
cheaper than the water mains and sew
ers could be extended there. The well
would cost about $500.
A conversation was had over the tele-
phone with the council waterworks
committee in regard to this matter, and
it was decided to hold conference at
the next regular meeting of the school
board, when this matter will be talked
over by the board and the council COM
mittee
The motion awarding the contract for
the West Mankato heating plant was
carried, only Mr.. Fletcher voting ''no. y
On motion of Mr.. Fletcher, the cleo
ton of janitors was taken up, save the
one at the West Mankato building.
Ifsnr rSrr1 1~n oil t,I To-. 90