The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-02-14
CROWDS MUST Be KEPT
OUT OF THEATRE LOBBY
From Mondays Daily.

Manager w. J. Pierce of the
Wonderland and Unique theatres
made the statement to The Free
Press this afternoon that he was
pleased with the position taken by
the council in regard to the adoption
of measures which will insure the
safety of those who attend the per-
formances at his piayhouses. 81 am
in hearty accord with any move that
will guarantee safety to those who
attend the performances at the
theatres of which | am the manager
J. will welcome any law or ordinance
that will prevent the Hobbies from
being congested during performances.
l will welcome visits from the chief
of the fire department to the theatres
that he may see that we are comply
ing with every regulation that will
protect the public from casualties"
Safety from fire in the Mankato
motion picture houses was one sub
ject under discussion at the council
meeting this morning. 1t seems that
at times the crowds are so large
that the people fill the Hobbies and
make it dangerous, should there be
fire, in getting the audience out
of the theatres. All the theatres
are equipped according to the state
laws, having the operators box lined
with asbestos, and two rear exit
doors. However. when the Hobbies
are so packed with people it would
be difficult for the audience to make
an exit through the front doors. A
motion was made that the city at
torney be authorized to write the
managers of the movies" letters re-
questing them not to sell tickets
after the houses are filled. Chief Of
Police j. W. Donahue and Fire Chief
Lulsdorff made q visit to the thea
tres this afternoon for the purpose
of discussing with the managers the
necessity of using precautions. They
will request the managers to employ
doormen to keep the Hobbies from
becoming congested during the even
ing performances.
Councilman HumistOn brought up
the matter of making several street
improvements. City Clerk F. w.
DdlSS WdS dutuOllASu W duNSllloC
for bids to put in eighty-five yards
of gravel on the Mapleton road from
the Silver ravine hill to the city
limits. More graveling will be done
Oh the Agency hill and East Main
street. 1t has been estimated that
about 400 yards will be needed here.
Near the residence Of Anton, KEN
pernolte, Ais Mulberry street, the
street requires some raising, also the
sidewalk, but Mr.. Kempernolte's lot
is below the level of the raise and
would be flooded without retaining
wall. A proposition was made to
Mr. Kempernolte that the city pay
him $500 and give him quantity
of rock which have been hauled
near his residence for the retaining
wall, for which Mr.. Kempernolte will
allow the raise in sidewalk to be
made and allow the filling for the
sidewalk to extend on his property
as far as necessary. He will also
provide his own retaining wall.
Through some misunderstanding Mr..
Kempernolte had the impression that
the city would also haul dirt to raise
his lot, but this was not promised.
The proposition made to him was
put in the form of a motion and
carried, but Mr.. Kempernolte has not
yet accepted it.
The city engineers report for 1912
was received and placed on file.
The city clerk made the following
report for the month of January