The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-07-30

ENGAGE CITY ENGINEER
S. Won MEHREN OF ALBERT
LEA GIVEN POSITION
SOME JAR OVER BEDS
Mayor e. v. Waters and Dr.. A.
F. Schmitt indulge In
Discussion

s. Won Mehren. now employed by
the city of Albert Lea as construc-
ton engineer, was appointed last
as city engineer. 1t will be rememb-
cred that Mr. Won Mehren appeared
before the city council some three
weeks ago and applied for the posi-
ton. At that time he explained that
he had considerable experience in
Denmark, his native country, previous
to his coming to this country, and
since his arrival here had carried
through a number of engineering
jobs of considerable size. 1t is un-
derstood that Mr.. Won Mehren will
arrive here in few days and will
then take up his duties.
es Of Rev. N. Norgaard, Rev. Father
Robert Hughes and F. N Crandall
for approval of the council as mem
bers of the library board to succeed
themselves. This met with approval.
City Clerk Bates announced last
evening that the assessment for the
treatment Of certain streets about the
city with tarvia amounts to $4,934,
80. The hearing on this assessment
was set for August 8, at $50 a. T.,
at the council meeting to be held
that day.
Repairs to Detention Hospital.
DR.. A. F. Schmitt and DR.. J. w.
Andrews appeared before the city
matter of repairs at the detention
hospital. DR.. Schmitt in bringing up
the matter said that he had appear
ed at the meeting to offer the city
council members some advice, and he
hoped that it would be taken kindly.
He explained that a few yearG ago
the dete2tion hospital was repaired
at a nominal expense, and then was
made a fit place to house human be-
ings in. This was necessary, for this
is a school town, and Mankato has
children from all over the state at
tending the local schools. Contagious
diseases in the past have largely
emanated from these schools. Under
the law these contagious diseases
must be isolated and cared for. You
gentlemen know" said DR.. Schmitt,
that the past three years this de-
tention hospital has not been a fit
place to house human beings"
Il differ with you DOCTOR" said
Mayor Waters, while l know that
some repairs should be made, it is
not as bad as all that"
'If / were health officer" said DR..
Schmitt, Il would close the place at
once"
"You can't do it, DOCTOR" said the
mayor. ---
DR.. Schmitt replied: "I know that
you are sensible man, and while
acting under me some years ago as
health Inspector you did some excel
lent work in aiding me as city health
officer. Now, Mr.. Waters, you know
as well as l do that the beds in that
hospital are not what they should be.
The mattresses are of the cheapest
kind and they are used over and ov-
er again. You would not want one
of your children to be forced to oc-
cupy bed with one of those mat
tresses on it."
Mayor Waters interrupted by say
ing: you will have to admit that
there are lot worse mattresses than
those at the detention hospital"
Yes, but the taxpayers are not
for that kind Of service, Mr.. Mayor, u
said DR.. Schmitt.
Claimed Beds First Class.
"The beds are first class, under
stand you, and as far as that goes,
have slept on corn husk mattress
when l was sick, and I am still liv-
ing and enjoying good health" said
the mayor.
~ know this much" said DR..
Schmitt, that the present mattress
es are not fit for use and should be
replaced. If your have any more pre-
cious and sacred interest at heart to
which you have pledged yourself as
mayor of this city, than the proper
preservation of health | would like
to hear about it, All that l ask Is
that the detention hospital be made
a decent place in which to house hui
man beings"
At this point in the discussion,
which had become rather warm,
Councilman Steiner cut it short by
making a motion to refer the entire
matter to the board of health.
DR.. J. w. Andrews when called up
on, stated that DR.. Schmitt had stat
ed the case clearly, and he hoped that
the council would take some action
In the matter.
Mayor Waters answered by stat
ing that no one knew better than he
did the great need of the city for a
new detention hospital, but with the
present high cost of material and la
Dor, this was out of the question, but
everything possible would be done
to make the present building a fit
place to care for the, contagious
cases of the city.
Aerial Landing Site.
Councilman Hammett stated that a
site for an aerial landing field had
been secured at Colum bia Park to
the north of the st. Peter road. The
city had been asked to do some lev
cling up of the field, and the remov
al of a few stone. On motion of
Councilman Steiner 1t was voted to
have the city go to work at once and
put the field in shape. 1t Is thought
that very little work will do this. The
field will be properly marked, so
that aviators flying over can recog-
nize the field from considerable
height. Columbia park is a good
high and dry place for landing
field, and should prove satisfactory.
Near the close of the meeting
Councilman Hammett said that he
was going to criticize, and he did mot
know whose toes he would tired on.
He expressed himself as not at all
pleased with leaving the flags out in
the sun the entire length of the
street to bleach. He said that the
banners cost too much for that.
Mayor Waters explained that the
flags had been left up for the length
of Front street by his orders at the
request of Lorentz Post No. IL, Amer
lean Legion, which is staging a car
nival here this week. Councilman
Hammett had no more to say on the
matter.
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