The Mankato free press., 1912-02-02

charter we have made perma.
nent improvements in the neigh.
borhood of $4,000, consisting
of street paving intersections.
storm sewers, besides settling
suits against the city that were
the result Of the epidemic in
the year 1908 and amounting to
about $4,000.
In regard to the charge that
no improvements were being
made in the outlying districts
of the city, Mr.. Lamm said
that during the present year
they had constructed a side
walk along Popular street and
Mound avenue to Sibley park.
That Baker avenue in West
Mankato was improved by curbing
ing and guttering and there were
street improvements in that Sec
tion of the city. Bunker hill
was improved by a new side
walk and culvertS and a por-
ton of the street was graded.
The Eagle Lake hill was i'm
proved. A new road was con-
structed and improved in Thomp-
sons ravine. The road on Third
avenue leading to the city limits
known as the st. Peter road,
was re-graveled and improved.
Sewer and water-works were
constructed in East Mankato,
which consisted of water
tower and a sewer costing over
$500. More permanent improve
ments were made in this city
in the last year than in any
three previous years in the his
tory of the city. Mr.. Lamm said
that by July Is OF this year,
every dollar of the floating in
debtedness of the city will all
be paid and the city will be
In better financial shape than
it has ever been for number
of years. The bookkeeping sys-
tenn of Mankato since the adOp-
ton of the commission form
of government has been revised,
and it will compare favorably
with any city in the United
States of it's size for systematic
accounting.
There Have Been No Favors.
There have been no favOrs eX
tended by this council as charged
by Mr.. Schaub.
There has been publicity and il
is Mr.. Schaub's own fault if he
has not kept in touch with city
affairs. Experience has demonstra
ted that in the management OF
city affairs the council must get to
gether informally to discuss matters
and there are propositions at times
that must be considered with a Ger,
tain degree of secrecy in order
that better results may be oh
tanned for the people.
Department superintendent have
and they have. obtained better re.
suits from the amount of money
expended than under the old sys.
tenn. Instances without number can
be cited, if it were necessary. The
taxpayers have been given value re
ceived for the money paid out.
The charge that the administra-
tion has been expensive is not found
ed upon fact, and the claim that
the public funds are eaten up is
as far from the truth as Mr.. Schaub
is from the pearly gates OF Heaven
There is no trouble in fixing re-
sponsibility, as Mr.. Schaub we'll
knows.
Have Extended No Favors.
The charge that commission gov
ernment favors public utilities is
another one of Mr.. Schaub's wild
statements. If Mr.. Schaub doesn't
know he ought to that during the
past year utilities companies have
been turned down when they made
certain overtures to the council,
probably the first time since Man.
kato came into being and these
companies were organized corpora
tions not having been granted con
cessions as the council felt that
by so doing the public welfare
would be abridged.
Mr.. Schaub's reference to the re.
call is incompetent, irrelevant and
immaterial. The deposed street com
missioner, E. V. Waters, is author.
ity on recalls.
The charge that the city is on
the verge OF bankruptcy is libel
There have been no improvements
made that should be placed in
the category of Illegal. A technical
violation OF the charter resulted
in a saving of money to the tax.
payers. ...t
The City Accounting.
- When did Mr.. Schaub make an
examination of the city's books:
Does he know what system OF ac'
counting is in vogue? AS matter
of fact he who runs can tell at a
glance the condition of the funds
of this city with more ease and
less mental exhaustion than under
the old, wornout system.
A more efficient supervision OF
public work has resulted This work
speaks for itself.
What private interests control the
municipality or the city council:
The Free Press knows OF none
The city officials employed under
the present system are all compe
tent and trustworthy. Repeated ex.
animation of the city's books have
proved this to be. a. fact and beyond
dispute.
The cOuncilmen have demonstra-
ted that they have been interested
in the city at large. The vast num-
ber OF improvements that have been
made is the best evidence of this.
Letter From Accountants.
This morning the following letter
was received by w. ID. Willard from
Mellis, Pirie G Co., chartered ac
countants. Minneapolis. who have or