The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-10-04

The city must refund money on
fourteen saloon licenses which have
been paid in, and the licenses run
ming beyond the six months period
allowed under the county option law
just passed.
Levy For 1917, $4,000.
The tax levy for 1917 for municipal
purposes was 100000, and that for
1918 being placed at 100000 means
an increase of $4,000. This increase
is made necessary by the city's in
creased expenses IN the way of sal
aries, and the increased pay of all
classes of laborers, including fire
men, policemen and street laborers.
Because of the recent county option
election the city is obliged to in
crease the levy to make up the def
cit caused by the loss of the saloon
license money. The city is also oblig-
ed to refund considerable money to
fourteen saloons for the uneXpired
portions of their license, for which
they had paid the city. Eight thou
sand dollars worth of bonds on the
construction of the old Main street
bridge mature next August, and must
be taken care of by the city. All OF
the different departments have been
obliged to make increases, due to the
higher costs now prevailing, and
$500 has been added to the library
fund, an increase Of that - 90
over the former appro-
$4,000. At the 30 ing of 1918
teamsters were paid 81 day by the
city, and common laborers were paid
twenty cents an hour Because Of
the increase pay now necessary the
city now pays Sc day to transfers
and thirty cents an hour for common
labor. st srH
More Money For Library.
DR.. j. A. Hancock. of the Mankato
library board appeared before the
council this morning in regard to ar
increased appropriation asked by the
board for library purposes. He stated
that he was thoroughly convinced
that the budget idea was the proper
idea to be followed, and that a Ii
brary budget should be prepared
every year and presented to the
council. He stated that committee
composed of ]. c. Noe, F. E. Crandall
j. Krost, and j. Flachenhar had hello
a meeting and prepared budget Of
expenses, which he presented to the
council. The estimate of the tota'
needed as given by the committee
was at least $6,42397 for this year.
The library had tried to work on the
$4,000 a year basis, but had found
this impossible, and had had to u.s.
about $500. This amount was now
asked of the council by the commit
tee. DR.. Hancock spoke of the grea'
public service which the library rem
ders in community and stated that
the growth of the Mankato librar!
service has been greater than usual
during the past six months.
Words From Miss Carr.
Miss Flora Carr, librarian, gave 2
short talk on the work of the library
and the greatly increased expenses
81 am sure you are not surprised
at the increased expenses at the Ii.
brary,Y she said, "as you are meetins
increased expenses everywhere, n
your homes and in your business
She remarked that if the library has
not been able to get along on $4,000
this year it certainly could not get
along on that amount next year. Ir
speaking of salaries Miss Carr said
"The scrub woman gets more for
her services per hour than the assis-
tant librarian, as the scrub woman
gets thirty cents an hour for hel
labor, and oftentimes lunch, Will,
the assistant librarian pays for heI
own meals. and only gets twent.
cents an hour. The people who
voted out the saloons will no doubt
be willing to meet the increased tas
levy. The library is an essentia
part of our school system. It's serv.
ice is universal, and it is worth 6
great deal to the men in the trenches
as well as to the people at home
Libraries are most valuable points to
distribute information, and assist ir