The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-05-24

room should have two matrons, and
enough capital to be operated prop
erly. Complaints have been made that
the place closes too early AS one
matron cannot be there all the time
and the place should be open even
ings there should be two matrons.
The accommodations of the rest room
should be free of charge to all, he
said.
w. d. Willard said: 81 think it
is proper in the beginning that VEN
lures like the rest room should be
started by voluntary service, but
when it has proven it's worth as this
has done, and become vital neces-
sity, I feel that the women of the
city should not be called upon any
more The place is of value to the
community, and the cost should be
borne by the community
Councilman Gus. Eichstead men
toned the fact that the city has been
called on heavily in many matters,
and the burden on the tax payers is
,already very heavy.
Mr.. Willard replied that none of
the tax payers present would make
any complaint at the extra tax, and
said that it was generally the small
tax payers who complained
Statement of Mayor.
Mayor Champlin said that no man
was paying any more taxes in ac-
cordance with what he had than an
other man, whether he was wealthy
man, or a poor man. The small tax
payer should be considered just as
much as the large taxpayer. All were
paying the same rate of taxes, in
proportion to what they have, and it
was the duty OF the council to con-
slider the small taxpayers. From a
business standpoint he saw that the
rest room would be big benefit to
the merchants, and perhaps in a
smaller way benefit the other tax
payers, besides being great con-
venience to the public. He thought
that the imposition practiced on the
rest room matron by mothers who
left babies at the rest room for her
to take care of might be discontinued
if notices were put up stating that
no children should be left there who
were not in charge of mothers or
guardians.
Mayor Champlin asked if the rest
room proposition had been completely
abandoned by those who formerly
had it in charge. Mr. Fisher stated
that it had, as the women had no
money to finance it farther, and the
rest room was already in debt.
Put Burden On All Citizens.
Louis Salet remarked that the bur-
den Of the maintenance of the rest
room had always fallen on the should
ers of ten or fifteen men along the
street, and he felt that everyone
should be assessed according to what
they possess, to raise the money to
continue the place.
M. F. Sullivan, who returned last
night from an extended eastern trip,
said that most of the cities which he
had visited which were about the
size Of Mankato maintained rest
rooms, or were installing them.
Mayor Champlin stated that that
matter was new and should be care
fully considered before the council
would take action. The small tax
payers would be considered as well as
the large ones.
"It is all right for the business
men to come here in a bunch like
this and say that they do not kick
about their taxes" said the mayor,
"but I notice that when they come
singly they do kick. The city bud
get has been cut down $4,000 this
rear from last, although your taxes
are higher. / would like to have
definite information if you are through
with the rest room proposition, and
if the contract is over" He was told
that this was so.
"Then," said the mayor, II take it
that it is up to the city to maintain
the rest room if it is to be maintained
at ALL"
Upon motion of Councilman A. G.
Lack it was unanimously voted to
investigate the matter for further
discussion at the regular meeting
next Monday morning.