The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-01-08

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the charter, but before action Is
taken he should thoroughly examine
the laws on his subject so that we
may act legally and properly when
the time comes.
Another point I invite discussion
of is the question: What should be
done with the old bridge? That this
bridge is insufficient for its present
location ] firmly believe, but ] am
also OF the opinion that the bridge
could be used to advantage at some
other point where the traffic is light.
er and not so congested. II seems II
would be a part of economy to use
the bridge at some other point II
this could be done to advantage and
would result in sufficient good to
wa warrant rant The the expense expense.
Exciting Public Discussion.
Everything that have said to-
night, gentlemen, has been said not
for the purpose of forcing my opini'
on on anyone, or debating just what
should and win be DONE hut rather
for the purpose of inviting and excit
ing n public discussion of the many
questions involved in this public mat
ter. that the problem before us might
be considered by you gentlemen in
its every phase. | have no doubt
that the opinions expressed here to
night by the citizens assembled here
will be of great value in the future
conduct of this business, and 1t will
be certainly profitable and proper
before proceeding any further with
this public improvement to hear
from as many Of our citizens as pos
sible.
Sketch of Concrete Bridge.
General Gustave Widell showed q
sketch OF. concrete bridge, which
he considered suitable for the needs
of the city and village and others
who would have occasion. to use IL
The general expressed the opinion
that the plan he presented. would be
adequate for all time to come. The
print showed grade bridge, with
a roadway forty feet wide, and a
six-foot walk on each, side, making
fifty-two feet in all. He presented
an estimate that such bridge would
cost in the neighborhood of $4,000
Henry Robel, Sr., stated that he
had had an estimate made by the
Turner architect office in st. Pau
for forty foot bridge at that place
and the cost was placed at $4,000
He congratulated the Widell company
on being able to present an estimate
that was lower for a bridge twelve
feet wider.
Architect George Pass stated that
during the last five years he had
been an advocate sof IAN overhead
bridge. Two years ago there had
been public discussion of the pro
ject of an overhead bridge. The
plan was dropped because the peopl,
, did not see any way of building II
Plan by George Pass.
Mr.. Pass showed IA plan that Inc
had drawn for an overhead bridge
This plan he had fixed on the wal
in plain view of all. He showed {
grade Of seven ana half per cen
up from the. intersection of From
and Main streets, and7rupning north
west $50 feet. then came leve
stretch of rseyenty-Hye. feet of tn,
bridge, and then came a slope o
five per cent over to Nicol
let avenue, this last part being 35'
feet. Such a bridge would be a di
rect continuation of Main street, ant
would not turn of at an angle al
does the present bridge.
Mr.. Pass said Main street as 10,
feet wide, and the bridge would TAX,
up the north forty feet of II. I
had been said the Saulpaugh hote
people would serve an Injunction ]
an attempt we're made TO. build al
overhead bridge there. Mr.. Pas
said he did not believer they woul'
do any such thing. II would no
hurt their property. MIR Pass de
clared> that II would. be an outrag
on the people of Mankato to spent
all the money that "a new bridg
would cost and still give them al
/ the tracks to cross. lie showed HOY
/ his plan contemplated filling in
! great deal OF the present bed of TIL
/ river, getting the earth from tn
other side. and thus shifting the chan
mel of the river over in the direC
ton of North Mankato. His plan In
Guided Strengthening out the railroa,
tracks and making them all run unde
that seventy-five foot stretch of leve
bridge length, which would stan,
twenty-five feet above the tracks.
would be very wrong to put the pee
pie under the necessity of walking
across all those tracks for the mex
hundred years. His plan would opel
the way for a grand union depo
to be built north of Main street.
Statement by Mr.. Robel.
Mr.. Robel said on behalf OF tn
people of North Mankato that the
would be satisfied with a grade bridge
and with the switching removed from
Main street He spoke of the worl
that was being done everywhere 4
make roads level and to away wit
hills. Mr.. Pass plan however, was L
build a new hin. 1t was to produc,
a castle in the air AS for filling II