The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-03-03
STAR CHAMBER COUNCIL
CONTINUED From Page one.I


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record the proceedings, but they ad-
mitted that they had talked matters
over, In about the same way as the
directors of corporation or big
business. That If the matters were
brought into the councilroom, that it
would result in rag chewing" for "a
long time and loud talk before decl-
sions were reached.
Lack whispers" remarked Henry
Zimmerman with broad smile.
What Charter Provides7
President J. W. Andrews said that
the present charter provides that the
sessions of the city council shall be
held in public, and he did not see
much use in recommending an amend
ment, along the lines suggested by
Mr.. Mueller. He thought that the
present terms of the charter should be
lived up to and enforced.
You appoint me as a chairman on
a committee and / will assure you
mat will write teeth into the reso-
luton which will put damper on all
future star chamber sessions" de-
clared Mr.. Mueller.
Chairman Andrews said that ii
someone offered a motion for the
appointment of committee TO look
into the matter suggested by Mr..
Mueller, he would entertain the mo-
ton. but no such motion was made. -
- Change Election Date.
Members Of the commission last
night concurred In a Recommendation
to change the time of holding the
Mankato city election from the spring
as 1t is now held to in the fall. W.
r. Hammett, chairman of the com
mittee to look into this question, said
that he himself favored the fall cleo
ton, so as to permit of officers
elected taking their seats on the first
what the other members of the com
mittee and the members Of the char
ter commission had to say on the
matter ]. D. Humiston and Frank
J. Mahowald, the other members
of the committee said that they
agreed with Mr.. Hammett in fav-
oring the fall election at the same
time of holding the general election
and also would favor state legislation
school elections being hello at the
same time. so as to save the expense
OF an additional election. After con-
siderable discussion. on motion OF z
9. Waters, ii was finally decided un-
~-iricrisly to recommend to the city
council that the city primaries be
! Fcfd the last Monday in December
ard that the newly elected officers
efke their seats on the first Monday
in Ianuary. and that the new counoc
s-saTabers qualify and take the oath Of
oface on the day of the last meeting
of the preceding council.
As was stated at previous meet
ings, this change it was thought would
permit the new council to better plan
its spring work.
E. v. Waters, chairman of the
committee to look up matters per
tanning to the salaries and duties Of
city officials, said that the committee
was not ready to report, and asked
another week to complete the report
1t was decided to make this topic
special order Of business at the mex
meeting of the council, aud the public
is urged to be present and offer any
suggestions they may see MT.
Regarding Chapter TO-.
The members Of the committee ap'
pointed to look into the amendment
of Chapter 10 of the city charter
which provides that all work entail.
ing an expenditure of more than s25t
has to be left to the lowest bidder
after considerable discussion decided
to refer the question back to the
committee and report at the mex
meeting of the commission. The com
nnittee consists of L. Henline, Franz
]. Mahowald and A. G. Roemer. Thu
resolution as offered by the commit
tee last night would leave the letting
of contracts with the discretion Of thu
council as to whether work was Il
be done BY day labor or by contract.
Adolph Mueller said that the prin
cipaes were all right, but he though
1t was leaving the gate too wide
- haf thar,
should be some limitation placed OIL
the amount of expenditures to b.
made by any council when the worl
is let by day labor.
]. ID. Humiston suggested that tai
limit should be placed at $1,000 in
stead of $3.50 as the charter nov
reads. e. v. Waters suggested tina
the limit should be placed at from
$4,000 to $4,000 and that ever:
by day labor, because 1t would meal
a great saving to the city. 1t was d
nally referred back to the COMMITTEES
and will be made special order o
business at the next meeting OF tn
q, commission. ..-.
Waters In "JoIlyine" Mood.
E. V. Waters what seemed to b.
a spirit of fun suggested that TIN
city charter should be amended 81
:''"t employees OF public utility cor
porations would not be barred from
running for city offices. There is Pet
Ferguson, who would make goo
mayor, but he can not do so becaus
he is In the employe of the Citizen
Telephone company. would like T
give pete" a boost. Then there i
..oD" brown, VINO might get the be-
in their bonnets They are all gool
fellows, Pete, Bob and Adolph."
The suggestion caused a heart.
laugh, but no action was taken.
It was decided to take definite &C
ton on the question OF appointment
of policewoman at the next meeting.
L. L. Champlin at the close of tn
meeting suggested that definite dat
be set for the completion of tn
commissions work. This date wa
set for Wednesday, March %. Shoul
any work then be left unfnishe,
special meetings will be called.
VIII Serve "Jitnes" Lunch.
Especial to The Free Press.l