The Mankato free press., 1910-06-03
ASK FOR A TIGHT LID
REV. E. H. WILLISFORD APPEARS
BEFORE NEW COUNCIL.
Behind Closed Doors the Minister, May
OF and C0uncimen Hold a Confer
ence; IAN Informal Gathering"
Announced Mr. Meyer to Those
Who Were in the Lobby; OratOry
Leaks Through the Cracks in Door.
From Saturdays Daily.

Leaks lhIOuyh tne OiaCkS III DoOi
From Saturdays Daily.
The first meeting of the new city
commission was held this afternoon
having been called for two o'clock by
Mayor Meyer. Commissioner Lamm
presented his bond and filed his oath
of office. The bond had been duly
approved by Judge Pfau. The mayor
and the other commissioners had pre-
v;ausly attended To these preliminaries.
The councilmen were on hand more
promptly than his honor, the mayor.
When all had finally arrived, they re-
tired into the private office, and Mayor
Meyer came out and informed those on
the outside that the meeting was TO
be entirely informal, and that the prln-
cipal matter TO be considered was the
apportionment of the departments
among the commissioners. No appoint
ments would be made. 1t is understood
that these can only be made ut re9u-
lar meetings. One of the matters likely
10 be considered was the fixing OF
the time for holding regular meet
ings.
Rev. WillisfOrd Was Present.
Rev. T.. H. Wilisford was present and
was invited into The private conference
Ii was not long before oratory was
heard floating out through the cracks
in The doors. 1t is understood that
he appeared for the purpose OF learning
at the start how the commission stood
in reference 10 the enforcement OF the
Sunday law. Mr. WillisfOrd has been
expecting to appear at the first meet
ing and sound the commissioners on
this, and when he learned of the meet
ing having been called he made prompt
arrangements 10 be present. lie was
present in the meeting for some time.
The charter makes the mayor The
head of the department of health, sani-
tation, police and general welfare. The
other departments are accounts and
finances, parks, public grounds. build
ings and fire protection; water works
and sewers; streets and alleys.
Represents An Organization.
Rev. WillisfOrd made the statement
today that he was to appear before
The new council as the representative
OF an organization that has been in
the process Of forming for some time.
Ii has its origin prior to the election.
1t is sort of civic league which
will have To do with the enforcement
of law.
'Will the members come out in the
open?" Rev. Willsford was asked.
The ministers reply was to the ef-
feet that the membership was to be
kept in the dark. However. the plans
OF the society will be made public in
due time.
The Talk to the Commissioners.
Ii is rllmOred that Rev. WillisfOrd
talked with the commissioners in ref
erence to n better enforcement of the
law in regard to the conduct of sa
looms, especially in regard TO the three
points-that reasonable effort be
made 10 keep the saloons closed on
Sunday and such other days as the
law requires; second. that saloons close
at II p. m. on week days; third, that
minors be kept out of the saloons. 1T
is reported that Mr.. Willisford rep
resents large number of the lead
ing business and professional men OF
the city. 1t is only fair to the in
coming administration to say that this
movement began before the recent elec-
ton.
The commission took no action, but
it is thought that they looked upon
the matter as a fair proposition
At 2:45 p. m. the commission
emerged, and Mayor Meyer announced
that the commission was going to
organize today.
Heads Of Departments.
Commissioner Lamm nominated Com
missioner Bangerter for vice president,
and the election was made unani !
mously.
The commission then divided the de-
partmenis, as follows: Accounts and
finances, Commissioners Lamm; parks,
public grounds, buildings and fire pro-
lection. Commissioner Bangerter; wa
tcrworks and sewers, Commissioner !
Henline; street and alleys, Commits
sioner Humiston.
1t was decided to hold the first
regular meeting Oh Tuesday, May 81,
at 10 a. m.
Mayor Meyer said that the matter
of filling the positions ought to he /
given careful attention. 1t was not
necessary to appoint them at tie first /
regular meeting, or all at one meeting,
he said
The commission adjourned, and i'm
mediately retired to the private office
To talk over the matter of appoint !
mentS.
One of the commissioners, asked what /;
was done in regard to the propositions
advanced by Rev. Wilisford, replied: J
"We listened to them"
No action was taken, as the COM !
missioners were meeting informally att
the time. Whether it will be consid |
cred at an open meeting remains to be
seen.
&c ho n hn fol.