New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-04-01

Creosote Blocks Will be Used
For Central Section
At Least.
Citizens Show Commendable
Spirit of Pulling
Together.

Paving Of at least four blocks on
Minnesota Street within the present
year is practically an assured fact.
With only three dissenting votes,
owners Of property AUDITING on Min
nesota Street between First South
Street and Third North Street at a
meeting held at the Commercial Club
Rooms Thursday evening voted in ia
vor Of paving and when it came to the
question of determining the kind of
paving to be used, it was unanimous
ly decided to get the best the market
affords and that, according to the in
formation at hand, is crcosote blocks.
The citizens of New Ulm may be
a trif1e slow in enthusing for i'm
provemcnts, but once they get started
they do nothing by halves, but in
sist that the best is none too good.
That was the spirit prevailing at the
meeting Thursday evening. It was
by all odds the best business meet
ing ever held by the business men of
our city. A feeling Of harmony pre-
vailed and there was present turnout
get-together sentiment which al
most savored of the booster spirit
which ought to be cultivated.
The meeting was called for the
purpose of listening to the report of
the paving committee consisting Of
Willibald Eibner, DR.. J. L. Schoch, G.
A. Ottomeyer, Alfred J. Vogel and
Andrew Saffert. Philip Liesch, Presi-
dent of the Commercial Club presid-
ed and the report Of the committee
was made by it's chairman, Willibald
Eibncr. Mr.. Eibner handled the sit
uation nicely and in a creditable man
ner showed up the necessity of paw
ing at least the main business street
II New Ulm does not want to get the
reputation Of being back number.
He stated that other cities no larger
than New Ulm had inaugurated the
paving crusade some years ago and
that even smaller cities and villages
had beaten New Ulm TO it in the mat
ter of being up-to-date end progress
sive by getting paved streets we'll
under way.
The principal speaker of the even
ing was City Engineer Blomquist of
Mankato who told those present Of
the experiences chat Mankato has
had in the matter Of paving. The
first experience Of the neighboring
city was with sheet asphalt when
about twelve years ago some Of the
streets were paved with this mater
ial. Altho this paving has proven
fairly successful as whole, some of
the blocks have given them consid-
cradle trouble. Some brick paving
which was installed about 8 wears
ago has worn well, but has proven
quite unsatisfactory on account Of
the noise. Their last venture was
with creosote blocks and these have
proven the best paving that the city
has.
In this connection, the speaker dis
cussed the probable cost of the vari-
GUS kinds of paving, giving the cost
OF creosote blocks at $2.38 per square
yard, brick paving at $500, asphalt
at $1.93 and asphalt macadam at 81
per square yard. The curbing would
cost approximately 35 cents per run
ming foot and combination gutter
and curbing so cents per running
foot. Property owners in Mankato
are given ten years time within
which to pay the assessments paying
go interest on deferred payments
and the expense Of paving the cross
streets is borne by the city at large.
In the general discussion which fol-
lowed City Attorney Somsen was ask
ed whether the city could legally ex-
tend the payment Of the assessments
over a period of ten years. In an
swer to this query Mr.. Somsen stated
that the city council had extended
this privilege in the matter of grad
ing streets and he knew of no rea-
son why the same rule could not be
applied in the matter of paving
streets. To get the sentiment Of
those present with regard to the paw
ing proposition, DR.. Schoch offered a
resolution that it be the consensus
of opinion Of the property owners
present that Minnesota Street be
paved from First South Street to
Third North Street. When put to a
rising vote % voted in the affirmative
and only 3 voted against it. On the
question OF the material to be used
those present were unanimous in
wanting the best the market affords
and voted for creosote blocks. The
paving committee was instructed to
appear before the city council at
their next meeting and inform them
Of the wishes Of the property owners
as expressed at this me Sting.
After extending the thanks of
those present to Mr.. Blomquist for
his lucid talk on paving and to the
committee for their conscientious
work, the meeting adjourned. Thus,
less than six months after Ferdinand
Crone first circulated a petition
among the property owners, the
movement is showing unmistakable
signs Of bearing fruit. 55