The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-06-05


ments are continually clamored for
by the people. ITO satisfy. all OF
these demands would be to super
impose upon the people an excessive
burden of taxation. We have tried
throughout our term of Office to
make all those necessary improve
ments which our finances permitted.
But we have been obliged TO turn
down many improvements for no
other reason than that our financial
resources would not permit US to
undertake them.
Following is partial list of the
more important work which has been
done or contracted for by the pres
ent administration. .u. ..
Fourteen thousand six hundred
forty-nine feet or two and three
fourth miles OF curb and gutter were
constructed (not including Main
street now under contract). .-s
"Twenty-one thousand, two hun
dred and eighteen square feet OF new
side walks were built.
"a site for an armory was pur.
chased for $4,000 and given TO the
state and an armory built by the
state.
"a detention hospital was pur-
chased for the sum OF 5000.
"a triple combination motor car
was purchased for the fire depart
ment for the sum OF $4,000 90.
"a contract has been let for and
work commenced on concrete paw
ing on Fourth street from Spring TO
Warren, Washington street from
Broad 10 Fifth street. Plum street
from Broad to Fifth sircot and Null
berry street from Broad street to
Fifth street.
Three lots were purchased and
added to Sibley Park.
"a cement stairway was construct.
ed In Sibley. Park.
"a contract has been let and work
commenced on the grading OF Main
street hill. and for curbing and gut
tering the same.
"The following streets have been
graded and gravelled. making q suit
able connection with, the state road
to Good Thunder: Sibley street from
Front street to West Seventh street,
West Seventh street from Sibley
to LeSueur street and LeSueur street
to city limits.
"a contract has been let for and
work commenced ON the grading.
travelling and bouievarding of, North
Fourth street from Elm street to La.
fayette street and of Madison avenue
from Broad street to Fifth street.
"a contract was let for the grad
ing of Fourth street from Cherry
street to Warren street
Water mains were laid on Hinck-
ley street from John street to Main
street, on Main street from Hinck.
ley street to Division street, on Han
nah street. on Pearl street. from
Hannah street. TO Beach street and
on Beach street from Pearl street
to Putnam street,
"A sanitary sewer was constructed
on Washington Street from Fourth
street to Fifth street. '-.'1'
"a sanitary sewer was constructed
on Mulberry street from Fourth
easterly to the alley and In the alley.
"A sanitary sewer was constructed
on Shaubut street.
"A sanitary sewer was constructed
and water mains, laid on Record
street. A storm sewer for the sum
OF 100000 is being constructed on
the following streets: Vine street
thence to Fourth street, thence along
Fourth street from Vine street to La,
fayette street.
"One thousand dollars was appro
priated for the scenic highway.
The Lighting Proposition.
Undoubtedly the greatest problem
that confronted the present admins
ration was the lighting proposition
Considerable money has been spent
and a great deal OF work done to Sc
cure a reduction OF present lighting
rates. An ordinance was passed Great
ing a public utilities commission
and able men appointed on the com
mission and a careful and laborious
investigation was had of the gas
rates charged private consumers
with a final finding by the commits
sion that present rates are too high
An ordinance has been passed ex
haustively dealing with the whole
gas question. II would be too on
tiuiottb ~ .btbcNc tudt tUe
Is already ended. but we have every
reason TO believe that when ended
IL will result I'm a sufficient saving Ia
gas consumers to justify the outlay
and the labor and besides in an In
creased efficiency Of the gas service
The sinking fund has been kept
well invested and Is in consequence
earning considerable interest which
Is helping to increase that fund Last
year ! called your attention to the
fact that of the 100000 which was
to have been paid for Washington
Park, nothing had yet been paid. The
sinking fund commissioners have de
cided TO invest tho surplus moneys
In the sinking fund in this security
and S4040.O0 has already been 20
invested. Before the end OF the
present year II 70 likely that the
remaining 100000 can be invested
and the sinking fund viii then receive
the S4S2.40 interest annually which
for a great many years has been
paid.
"The city has been fortunate In
securing splendid settlement in the
case against the Chicago milwaukee,
and Sc. Paul railway and In this
settlement secured title to o
piece of land on Main street worth
several thousaud dollars IN the elf,