The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-11-11
From Fridays Daily.

From Fridays Daily.
Metaphorically speaking, Mrs. Caro-
line Bartlett Crane has been placed in
the bake ovens in this city.
The bakers are bitter in regard to
the report made at the meeting Tues
day night by Mrs. Crane on the bak-
cries of the city. They feel that they
have been done an injustice and that
their business is likely to suffer i'll con-
sequence.
One of the bakers yesterday talked
of calling meeting of the bakers of
the city to see what had best be done,
and he was in favor of starting an ac-
ton against Mrs. Crane for alleged
SANDER. If any meeting was held last
evening, at the time announced, it was
only an informal one at one of the
bakeries, and all were not present. Pos
sibly efforts will be made to hold an
other meeting later.
Bakeries Regularly Inspected.
1t appears that the bakeries of the
city are regularly inspected three times
a year by Garfield Morrison, state Ia
Dor inspector, and he has been asked
to make another special inspection, and
will do so Monday, it is stated. 1t is
not known whether his inspection goes
further than to learn whether child
labor is being employed and sanitary
conditions provided for the employees.
Whatever the extent Of his investiga-
tions, it appears that his reports in
the past have been favorable.
One baker seen today did not take
seriously the talk of one of the Others
that Mrs. Crane ought to be required
to prove her charges in court. He said
that he did not know whether any con-
certed action would oe taken, but as
for himself, he declared that no COM
mittee of the Civic Improvement
league or other committee or individu-
ais, aside from the regular govern
ment inspectors, would ever be allowed
in his bakery again. Heretofore, the
place had been open to public inspec-
ton at any time, but it will not be
again. He said that people as rule
are not qualified to judge of condi.
tions in bakery. A bakery cannot
be kept as clean as a persons parlor,
nor as some private kitchens.
Cockroaches Promptly Killed.
The baker quoted is reputed to have
one of the cleanest places of the kind
in the city. He said that the few
cockroaches coming into his place in
returned baskets or other ways had
been promptly killed, and that there
We're no mice or other vermin He said
that it was impossible for all to do
this, owing to loose construction OF
buildings occupied.
One baker stated that he did not
care so much about the effect of Mrs
Cranes statements on local trade, as
he did on outside custom He feared
that trade would be lost to Mankato,
because of Mrs. Cranes broad state
ment in regard to the bakeries of the
city. He said that he had been in
many cities and visited more bakeries
than she had, and that Mankato bak.
cries were cleaner than many others.
particularly those in the twin cites,
where the chief competition for the
Mankato bakers comes from. He did
not think that Mrs. Crane would be
permitted to enter those bakeries when
she visits the twin cities.
Will Place Shops in Good Condition.
1t was learned from Sanothcr source
today that at least two of the bakers
intend to Immediately take steps to
place their shops in the best possible
sanitary condition, if they are not so
now, invite inspection by competent
parties, and give wide publicity to the
fact that their places are absolutely
sanitary, and thus at least hold their
former trade, if not increase it. This
seems wise and businesslike course to
pursue under the circumstances, and
the only one that will set all talk at
rest. This would seemingly make it
necessary for all others to take the
same steps. .
There has been some little talk of
local bakers starting boycott on flour
from the big MILL on account of a cir
cular letter sent to them by the mill
after the lecture by Mrs. Crane, advis.
ing them, in order to hold their trade.
to clean up and make this fact known,
II conditions were as Mrs. Crane had
stated. However, no baker could be
found today who would admit that
there was any talk of a boycott.
Mrs. Crane Is Commended.
Mrs. Cranes address has caused
more talk, favorable and unfavorable,
than any public address ever given in
the city. In the main, she has been
commended for fearlessly stating what
she claims to have found that was un.
sanitary. She was accompanied in her
trip by city officials and others, and
one of these called up The Free Press
Wednesday to state that she had in
her address not made her statements
strong enough. Since then, others have
said the same.
1t is said that the ladies of the city
are TO follow up Mrs. Cranes work,
and will shortly organize and appoint
STATE OF OHIO, CITY of Toledo Tn.