The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-11-01
Committee to Solicit Cash
From Business Men.
STATE MONEY NOT OVERLOOKED
Nicoliet County and North Mankato
Will BE Asked to Aid; Also Blue
Earth, the Scheme.
From Thursdays Daily.

The absence of City Recorder Hodapl
from the meeting last night prevented
the city council from meeting form
ally, as City Attorney Schmitt con
strued the charter to require thu
presence of the recorder or his duly
appointed deputy at every meeting
There was nobody present who knew
whether he had a deputy. As to Mr.
Hodapp, he was in Decoria township
attending the reception rendered his
cousin, Joseph Hodapp, and bride
whose wedding occurred yesterday. He
had not been officially notified of the
meeting.
While the council could not meet
formally, an informal meeting was
held, with all the aldermen present
Mayor Andrews was an hour late in
arriving, as he was detained as a
witness in the federal court, which
held an evening session.
Mayor Andrews called the meeting
to order informally at $3.50 o'clock
stating the object, and suggested that
some of the visitors present the mat
ter. .....
Relief Needed.
j. B. Richards said that there had
been move on foot to relieve the
congested condition of the Main street
crossing. The state has appropriated
$4,000 toward new bridge. A petition
was signed through Nicollet county
and North Mankato and presented to
the Nicollet county board asking it
to help, but it had given it chilly
reception and refused hearing. The
city engineer. and county surveyor
have located a bridge. The matter
was presented to the county board
yesterday and was received very cour-
teously. County Surveyor Brooks es-
timated the cost of concrete bridge
at 100000. /. Fl. Johnson estimated
the cost of a steel bridge at $4,000
to $4,000, and advised that the steel
work be made strong enough so that
when the wooden flooring has to be re-
placed in about eight years it can be
replaced with concrete flooring, and
that the "I' beams be drilled so
that sidewalks can be attached later.
The county board desired that the
council take the lead and appoint a
committee to cooperate with COM
mittee of the board.
Hold Onto a Good Thing.
Senator S. d. Works said that I'M
less the $4,000 appropriated by the
state was used it might be a long
time before help could be again gotten
from the state. 1t is a difficult mat
ter to obtain an appropriation from
the legislature for the city, where
there are so many demands for bridges
from the country districts. The 9th
er day, when the speaker was delayed
in crossing by train, eighteen teams
gathered before the gates were raised
Mr.. Richards said that Mr.. John.
son suggested that the joint commit
tee secure bids, so it would know
Just what the cost would be, and ar
rangements could then be made ac
cordingly.
Senator Works said that the $4,000
appropriated by the state can be used
only for this one bridge, otherwise il
will 90 back to the state.
T. A. Sherk said that the money
will revert to the state July l, next
Favored Three Bridges.
Mr.. Richards said that there hat
been some talk about bridge il
lower town. He would favor a bridge
in lower town as soon as the one
proposed is built. At New Ulm
there are three bridges, with only
farmers to cross, while here there is {
town across the river.
Senator Works, replying to a ques
ton, said that the state appropra
ton is available, $1,000 next July
and $1,000 two years from then.
President Brett of the Commercial
club favored building the bridge ant
said that the money could be secured
some way, between the city, count!
and Nicollet county.
Mayor Andrews asked Mr.. Richards
whether he had thought of a plan t.
raise the money. Mr.. Richards saio
that he had thought of getting hell
from the city. county, North Mankato
Nicollet county and perhaps the rail
road companies.
Need Is Conceded.
County Commissioner Schultz wa
called upon and said that it was con
ceded ON all hands that a seconc
bridge is needed. North Mankato ant
Nicollet county should assist, and it il
there that the first work should b.
done, to see what they will do. Bel
grade township has quite burden
on its hands to fix the Belgrade hill.
Commissioner Jones was called on
but, declined to make any remarks.
Mr.. Sherk favored seeing how mucl
can be raised, and it will be time
enough to back down when it il
found that the money cannot b.