The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-07-21
From Fridays Daily.
Charge for Connections.

From Fridays Daily
Charge for Connections.
From what was CLEANED from q
conversation OF group of citizens
the other evening it is clear that
gard to prices and work of making
connections with the water mains. II
was said that an eXhorbitant fee OF
SIS was charged by plumbing inspec.
tors merely to see that the tapping
of the main is done correctly. An
experienced plumber on being asked
in regard to prices charged said
with a merry chuckle in his voice:
mo such fee has ever been charged
in Mankato. Possibly the idea came
from the old ordinance when the city
had charge of all the plumbing in
the street. fiat rate of $3.50 was
charged for this work and material
which included the shut-Off box and
valve at the curb. The reason for
this ordinance was to Obviate the
unequal cost of connections on op.
posite sides of the street. The prop.
erty owner on the side where the
main was laid having much shorter
connection than the opposite side
The rate of $17.55 was an average
cost whereby parties on either side
paid the same. This ordinance has
been retracted. Property owners may
now engage any licensed plumber to
II n nj,
CURED to furnish bond in the
amount OF $1,000 to secure the city
against any damages that may be
caused by carelessness in not prop.
erly guarding trenches, etc. North
Mankato should be similarly protect
cd against possible damage suits"
The usual price charged for house
connection is So for corporation cock,
the shut-off valve and box and valve
in basement including all the brass
pieces and the work A lead pipe is
most serviceable. The five-eight inch
size is used here in Mankato. The
usual price charged for the piping is
GO cents per foot complete. If an
inspector is employed he need not be
a high price man, and would need
to give but little of his time to the
work BY all means license the
plumber and protect the village with
bond.
The Strickland Case.
Judge Roster late yesterday after
noon gave his decision in favor of
the plaintiff in the case of John
Kumerow VS.. Frank Gauthier.
The case Of Claude Lucke VS.. A.
w. Strickland was concluded yester-
day afternoon. Judge Roster found
the defendant guilty of assault and
battery in the third degree and i'm.
posed a fine OF $50 and costs The
trial was held at Judge Rosters
home. The house was crowded with
spectators and witnesses. Frank
Ellsworth, attorney for the defend.
ant, made strong and eloquent plea
for his client emphasizing the fact
that much had been made of tri-
fling affair, that many mistaken TIL.
mors had been set afloat without evi.
dence. County Attorney Olesen, in
his usual direct and effective means
/ made strong argument for the
state. A feature Of the trial wa-
when the defendants attorney said {:
Much has been said about bloody
shirt and handkerchief but they have
produced no evidence of them" Suit
ing the action to the word, Mrs
Lucke, the mother of the plaintiff
quietly and without word, unwrap
ped a package containing the bloody
shirt and handkerchief and hung
them in view OF the attorney. An old
lady named Mrs. Schulz testified that
the defendant told her that he struck
the boy and offered her dollar if
she would testify that she knew
nothing of the affair. This was re-
Duttcd by Mr.. Strickland who tcsti-
there would be q dollar witness fee
lif she would testify. Strickland will
probably appeal the case as he con
siders the fine excessive.
Appointed an Enumeration.
President Grimes of the board Of
education has appointed O. Larson
enumeration of the school census re
quired by a law passed by the last
! Legislature requiring 3 census to be
! taken in all of the schools of al
children from six to sixteen years
| of age. Mr.. LarsOn's experience as
village assessor for many years viii
be Of advantage to him as an emu
merator. He will begin the work as
soon as the necessary blanks arc
ready and expects to complete the
canvass this month
ST. Peter Herald: While in ses
sion last Monday the board of county
commissioners voted to increase thu
revenue fund tax from 3R to mills
This will increase the county ia,
rate from 51a to mills, and as The
| levy is made on a valuation of Sc,
100000. will yield approximately $50,
600 with which to meet the expense:
of conducting the county government
Senator II. n. Benson appeared be
fore the board in behalf Of P. A. Re
trum, formerly Of Lafayette, to whom
! was awarded the contract to con