The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-12-22

Friday, December g
cided to keep up the investigation
actively until it is finished. 1t is
thought that this should be done be-
fore Christmas.
The inquiry will cover wide
range. The minute book of the coun-
Gil will be read and the matter of
council procedure will be studied.
Matters to Be Probed.
1t was claimed by members of the
committee that superintendent of
certain departments do lot of bust
ness and work on their own initia-
tive without consulting the other
members of the council. The COM
mittee will also investigate this mat
ter and secure statements from
the council as TO the amount of
work which they had done by the
different departments. This will be
done in order to see if they have
spent the money to the best advan-
tage.
The Water Works Department.
Some committeeman contended
that the water works department is
being conducted with q view to at
least come out even financially, or
to make some profit. Water that is
used for public good. such as street
sprinkling, water trouehs and foun-
tains is charged to the water con-
Sumers. 1t was claimed. However,
this charge was contested, as some
thought that Mankato's water rate
was lower than in many other
cities.
No other business coming before
the committee. the meeting adj
journed, and will be called again
rs soon as Mr. Waters makes his
reply
Attorney c. o. Daley returned
last night from business trip to
Chicago and st. Paul. He said to-
day that while in st. Paul he call
ed on Attorney General Simpson
and told him that the people of
Mankato would not begin any friend
ly suit TO test the legality of Man.
kato's charter, that the people are
satisfied and that they did not care
TO go into the trouble and expense
Of suit.
A number Of Minneapolis people
are interested in the charter of
Mankato and the commission plan
of government and are anxious to
determine whether or not it is legal.
An amendment has been made to
the constitution which will be voted
on next year and some hold that
1t will be necessary to present this
amendment to the constitution be-
fore it will be legal to organize the
commission form OF government in
this state.
It seems that the city of Mime
apOlis thought that if the supreme
court decides that the charter in
Mankato is legal that they can go
TO work and form charter for this
form of government If, however
the supreme court should say that
it was not legal, to the present
constitution then they could go be-
fore the people next fall and tell
them to vote for the constitutional
amendment.
Statement From ST. Paul.
ST. Paul Pioneer Press. The city
council of Mankato has refused t.
become a party to a friendly suit to
test the validity of its modified COM !,
mission charter, according to state |
ments made to Attorney General |
George T. Simpson by City Attorney |
Daily of that city. AS a result Mr.. |
Simpson has decided not to bring
suit and will notify the Minneapolis
charter commission, which re-
quested the test
The attorney generals letter of in
quiry was referred to the city coun-
ell for action. The attitude was TAX
en- that Mankato desired no kind of a
suit preferring that some oLner city
in Minnesota having modified COM
mission form of government be made
a party.
Great Public Question.
THE question Of the legality of the
commission form of government in
Minnesota is great public question
and it ought to be settled by the
courts SO the people of the state
framing charters would have the ben
eft OF such decision to guide
them" Mr.. Simpson said yesterday.
Under the circumstances | will not
bring a suit against Mankato, but |
am perfectly willing to lend the Of
fees of this department to the set
Element of the question"
AS q result of Mankato's attitude il
is highly improbable the question will
reach any immediate settlement I'M
less bond issues or other financial
obligations assumed by the city
should be disputed. The legality of
the charter might be thrown into the
courts.
None So Advanced as Mankato.
Mr.. Simpson did not know yester-
WI no ta