The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-06-21
URGED LAYING WATER
MAINS IN THE ALLEYS
From Mondays Daily.

From Mondays Daily.
Acting upon the request of several
business men, who are determined
TO have better protection against
fire in Mankato, Theodore Williams,
the insurance man, appeared before
the city council this morning, and
requested that body to take steps
toward securing separate water mains
in the alley between Front and Second
streets. The idea, he said. was to
get cheaper grade of water, lessen
the insurance rates, and have suf-
ticiently large mains TO cope with
any fire that may occur. From in
surance figures, it would make an
average decrease in rates of from
40 to 60 cents on q $1,000, not in
Guiding factories. Mr.. Williams stat.
ed that the city has water enough
and pressure enough, but that the
mains in many sections were not
large enough and hence, the fire de-
partment often was unable to cope
with the flames. Moreover, he said
the fire departments force of men
should be increased.
No important action was taken
on Mr.. Williams suggestions but the
council did take action, when Com
missioner HumistOn moved that the
matter of paving the alley in the
territory referred to by Mr.. Williams,
on account of the water mains prop
osition be laid on the table.
At recent meeting of the
council, it was decided to put in
water mains in the alley between
Front and Second streets, for a dis
lance of several blocks. This matter
will not be taken up now, as it is
cheaper to put in the water mains
before laying the pavement.
Willard Parkway Improvement.
NJ. G. Willard and Attorney Ben
jamin Taylor again appeared before
the council concerning the improve
ments on Willard parkway. They
stated that they wanted to preserve
this park in it's natural state. This
would not be a great expense to the
city, and would afford one of the
finest of driveways. No action was
taken on this, but later on motion of
Commissioner HumistOn, it was de-
cided to ask the people who want
the city to improve the roadway
south of the Willard parkway, to
present petition to the council,
signifying their willingness to stand
one-half of the 5000 expense in max
ing this improvement. This motion
carried.
The sanitary sewer bids, which
have been advertised, were to be
opened and the contract let this
morning When City Clerk Bates
came to open the bids, he found
1u hat Of
This was for a sanitary sewer on
the east side of Broad street from
Thompson street, southerly $50 feet,
and on North Fifth street from Elm
street, north to point 140 feet
northerly of the north line of Vine
street, including three manholes and
one lamp hole and the necessary Y
branches. The bid made was for
$S75 from on North Fifth street,
which included 1000 feet of eight
inch sewer, "a inch YES and for
1895 on Broad street for an eight
inch sewer $50 feet long, with seven
four-inch YES and one manhOle. For
any stone to be taken out on Broad
street, the price was "a per cubic
yard. This contract was awarded to
Mr. Landkamer.
The bond of Fowler & Pay for
$5,675, for the work of putting in
curb and gutter on Sixth street from
Madison street to East Hickory, and
on Washington street from Fifth
street to Sixth street and on Null
berry street from Fourth to Fifth
street, with u. G. Harrington and E.
Schoyen as securities, was approved.
That Eyesore Again.
Mayor Charles Taylor reported
that he had seen T. r. Coughlan in
regard to making fill of hole dug
out by quarrying stone in the north
end of the city, and said that Mr..
Coughlan claimed he did not own
the property, but that he paid a
royalty to Messrs. Wheeler and Ben
nett and also to Mr.. Beattie, of a
certain amount per yard for taking
out the stone, and when the stone
was taken out, he had nothing more
to do with the matter. Several of
the commissioners were of the
opinion that this hole should be fill
ed, even if the city had to do it,,
and then have the cost assessed to
the property owners. 1t was finally
referred back to Mayor Taylor, who
is to see Messrs. Wheeler and Ben
nett about the case.
The rrDort of the city engineer for
plans and specifications for the grad
ing of North Second street from
Vine to Franklin street was heard,
but the matter was continued until
the next meeting.
City Engineer II. F. BlOmquiSt was
instructed to inspect Broad street
and see what repairs the Barber
Asphalt Paving company should
make, and report at the next meet
ing. City Attorney Daley thought
that it was about time that this
company come to Mankato and be-
gin these repairs.
Paving Plans Adopted.
1t was then moved and carried
that the plans and specifications for
the paving of the streets as made by
the city engineer, be adopted. The
plans included several blocks OF
alleys, but after Mr. Williams ap
peared, it was decided not to pave
these alleys this summer.
Perry Lewis appeared at the coun
Gil meeting also and wanted the
council to determine the exact width
and length of East Hickory street
and wanted concrete curb and
gutter put in. The council, however
doforrod action