The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-01-20
OBJECT OF A PETITION PRE-
SENTED THE COUNCIL.
Commissioners Listen to Number of
Residents Who Declare That
Leaving Rails on That Thor
oughfare Interferes With DeveL
opment: Pool and Billiard Ordi-
nance Up Again.

OpHlCHt. TOOi anu STuf-
nance Up Again.
From Mondays Daily.
The council met this forenoon
and considered a number of mar
tiers, Mayor Meyer presiding and
all of the members being present.
A movement to get the Omaha rail.
way company TO remove its track
from North Fourth street was given
a boost The ordinance regulating
billiard and pool halls little more
closely was given its second read
ing. Licenses to sell milk were
granted 10 all dealers whose places
passed the inspection made last
week by Inspector Manley and Mayor
Meyer Steps were taken TO lower
the license fee charged moving pic
ture shows. Several minor things
were also done, and some city Ger
tificates were taken up.
The hearing on the petition for
the vacating of streets near the
Catholic Mother house was post
poned TO another week, at the re-
quest of both sides.
Mrs. Nora Reedlield appeared and
said that her personal property
taxes. $21, were too high. Her val
uation had been raised 5000, and
she wanted TO know why the com
mission had done it without investi-
CATION. She was reducing her stock,
and had moved her household goods
to the lake. where they were taxed
The commission stated that q gen.
eral raise had been made among the
milliners. Mrs. Reedfield had been
notified to appear at the proper
time. but when she arrived from
the lake the board Of equalization
had adjourned, and she had been
referred TO The county board. She
was again referred to the county
board.
Want Track Removed.
A lengthy petition was presented,
asking the council 10 exert its in.
fiuence. and if necessary take legal
measures. to secure the removal of
the railroad track of the Omaha
road from along Fourth street and
up 10 the westerly side Of Third
street. The petitioners said that the
removal Of the track is an abso-
lutte necessity for the development
of the northeastern portion of the
city
Arthur Schaub appeared on behalf
of the petitioners. He said that the
track prevents the development and
improvement Of that part of the
city as they desire 1t could not
be claimed that the track was a
necessity. The building of the
Mother House would turn a lot of
traffic into the street, and Washing
ton park. is being improved. When
the track is removed. Fourth street
will become the handsomest resi-
dence street in the city, as il is
the longest and most level. The
track is Of no benefit to the rail-
way company, and it's removal could
bo brought about, he thought. The
north part of the city is handicap,
ped by the stone quarries and other
disadvantages.
petitioners. He said that if the
track could be removed, a sewer
could be run along Fourth street to
Dukes addition. 1t would also help
North Fifth street in this respect.
The people were proud of their
homes and if given chance would
build up and improve that part of
the city.
Commissioner Bangerter said that
the council would favor the move if
it could be done.
Mayor Meyer favored doing what
was possible.
Commissioner Henline moved that
the city attorney be instructed to
take up with the railway company
the matter of removing it's track.
as desired by the residents. This
was carried
The time for receiving bids for
furnishing fire hose to the city was
continued until January so.
The council made the assessment
on improvement No. 20 and set
January 30 as the date for the con-
frmation.
Pool and Billiard Ordinance.
w. A. Plymat appeared for four
proprietors of billiard and pool halls,
and opposed two provisions of the
proposed ordinance. He said that
1t was hard TO say whether a boy
is over or under eighteen years. tbs
boy who, knowing his age is under
eighteen, patronizes such a hall, is
three times as guilty as the proprie-
tor. The ordinance provides a fine
of not less than $25 for the proprie-
tor and not over $40 for the boy.
Mr.. Plymat urged that the ordinance
be amended so that both shall be
liable to a fine of not over 500
leaving the court discretion.
The ordinance was taken IN for
its second reading.
City Attorney Porter said that the
fine imposed is what the state law
provides. To increase or diminish
the penalty would render the pro-
vision void.
Commissioner Humiston moved
that the ordinance pass, and this