The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-04-19

1
appointed by that body. In other
words, Mr.. Ball wanted a committee
on streets alleys and lots. No ques
ton was raised as to the advisanll
| ity of such committee. the pur
pose of which was to encourage the
cleaning up Of the city wherever IL
was found to be necessary and to
report to the club.
Will Enforce Ordinances.
At this point Mr. Ehler arose aud
stated that he would like to have
his instructions regarding the burn
Ing of leaves given wide circulation
Instead of allowing them to lie in
/ the cutters or in piles, he wanted
them burned. Mr.. Robel thought
that this matter should be brought
before the council. which body should
appoint an officer to look after the
enforcement of the city ordinances.
Mr.. Ehler had previously volunteered
TO act in this capacity while doing
the duties of street commissioner II
was finally voted to request the
council to give Mr.. Ehler the au-
thority of marshal SO that he could
enforce the ordinances.
The question of whether North
Mankato should have charter or
not and the ACCESSIBILITY of appoint
ing a charter committee was given
considerable discussions. Mr.. Ball
! thought that if such a committee
were appointed the matter could be
investigated and it could then be de
cided whether charter was a good
thing or not, so that the members
Of the club would know how to vote
when the time came.
1t was said that the securing of a
charter involved and considerable ex-
pense as charter commission would
have to be appointed, legal advice Sc
cured a large amount of printing paid
for, etc Mr. Emmler said that he
thought charter was necessary for
the enforcement of the laws. In
times past. property owner could
be "bluffed" into buikiing a new
sidewalk or making some improve
ment. but it finally leaked" outthat
they could not be compelled to do
SO. and so a charter was necessary
to compel them to put in sidewalks.
etc.
Thought Charter Advisable.
j. +. Reynolds thought that a
charter was necessary thing for
10 hn u
was growing one. especially in a
residence way, and would soon be
large suburb of Mankato proper,
but that charter should be provid-
ed TO take care of this growth. a
committee of this kind would not
have to be rushed but could take
time TO investigate the merits and
dement's of a charter. The citizens
of North Mankato must have some
definite laws and regulations to he
governed by and unless charter is
secured soon, the streets and public
places would not be up to the stand
ard that the citizens desired, He
suggested that the old charter COM
mittee be reappointed, but Dennis
Donahue, who was chairman, refused
to serve. and President Ball ap-
pointed the committee as above men
toned.
In the many meetings Of the club
held, some outside speakers would
prove boom to the club. thought
the president, and SO he wanted a
committee on speakers and enter
tainment.
The matter of appointing another
committee to be known as a gen
eral committee which should take
up civic improvements, also when
ever necessary to appear before the
council was discussed at length
Mr. Walker was opposed to this sug
gestion. but after a short argument
conceded that such a committee
would be in a position to do great
good Mr. Walker at first slightly
misunderstood the purpose of such
a committee. Another purpose of
such committee would be to meet
with the advisory board of the Man
kdt0 COmmeTCldi CluD whichever oC-
casion required. 1t was suggested
that the club could not have too
many committees. because if each
member Of the club was on com
mittee of some kind. he would take
a more active interest in the clubs
work.
The Bridge Matter.
Messrs. Robel. ST.. and Dennis
Donahue brought up the bridge
question again and after some dis
cussion, President Ball appointed the
members on the bridge committee
as members OF the new general
committee.
One member OF the club offered
to make a donation of 81 to the
child who had the best kept back
yard during the summer, and upon
the suggestion OF Mr.. Robel, tho
prize money for the best kept prem
Uses was doubled to Sc. 81 and 81,
IL was decided TO have the good
roads committee call the attention
of the county commissioners to the
dangers on the river road near the
Fletcher property, as the stones