The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-05-19
PAVING IS LARGE
ISSUE IN BATTLE
LETTERS THAT HAVE BEAR.
ING ON THIS MATTER
WILSON AND GILMORE
Attorneys Exchange CorTespon-
dence; Informal Meeting
With City Council.

paying SITUATION III A2nkatof ulC
not come before the city council at
its meeting last night for final
action. However, correspondence
to this ordinance recently
passed between City Attorney C. E.
Gilmore TO s. B. Wilson announc.
for the Mankato Electric Traction
company. which will be of interest
TO the people Of Mankato.
The following a copy of let
ter written by City Attorney c. 4.
Gilmore to s.. B. Wilson annaunc-
ng the fact that the city has al
rady advertised for BIDS for paw
ing on West Front street:
Mankato May 10, 1922.-Man-
kato Electric Traction Company
City. Gentlemen: The city
council has instructed me to
say TO you that the city is now
advertising tor bids for paving
west Front street and West
Fourth street, !. e. from Van
Brunt slough to the railroad
right OF way at the entrance OF
sibley Park, and for paving
your right of way and tracks
run.
The said council of the city
of Mankato, Minnesota, in
structs me to demand Of you
that you pave your road bed in
the same manner and at the
same time, according to the
terms Of your franchise ordi-
nance. Yours very truly. c. u.
Gilmore. ~
Reply by Attorney Wilson Z
The following is the reply of At
torney S. b. wilson to the letter of
City Attorney G. K. Gilmore which
explains the position OF the street
car company in the controversy:
Mankato May II, 1922.-C. e.
Gilmore, City = Attorney, City.
Dear Sir: Your letter of the
10th instant to the Mankato
Electric Traction company in
behalf of the City Council.
wherein you make demand that
the Traction Company pave its
road bed along West Front
street and West Fourth .estreet
from Van Brunt slough to the
railroad right of-way at the en-
trance of Sibley Park and War
rem street has been referred to
am somewhat surprised at
this demand being Rade at
this particular time in view of
Inc TACT that the c2y council
has heretofore agreed with us
TO submit the question or our
being relieved Of such paving to
q vote OF the people. in the
form of an ordinance satisfactory
to US: You know that this was
specifically stated by the mayor
at an open council meeting and
that thereafter. pursuant to his
instructions, you and prepar-
ed such an ordinance.
l wish you would. therefore,
please advise me as to whether
or not this proposition of sub
hitting this question to a vote
OF the people has been aban-
doned by the City council, or
DO they intend. as indicated in
last evenings Free Press, to
proceed to submit proposed
ordnance to be a vote of the
people that is not acceptable to
us?
Great to Tear up Track
company can not do this paving
from Van Brunt slough; i. e.
from the Milwaukee railroad
tracks to the entrance OF Sib-
ley Park and that. if the de-.
n1and of the council in this
respect is final. it will be nee
essary for US to tear up and
remove our tracks between
those points. The city council
knows this, and l presume this
demand is, made for the pur.
OF course, having the authority
which is vested in them, we will
have to yield to their wishes.
This, however. is on the as.
sumption that the council has
concluded not to permit the
people TO pass, upon the ques-
ZION of relieving US from such
pose OF having us do this. and
paving heretofore contemplated.
You are, therefore, requested
to advise me at what date it
will be necessary for us to have
removed our tracks and road
bed along this portion of the
street in West Mankato in or
der that we may not be subject
ed to further penalties at the
hands OF the council.
Regarding Warren Street
In reference to that portion
Of our tracks located on Warren
street. am not prepared TO
give you a definite answer,
but will take this matter up
with interested parties, and in
my effott TO ascertain il this
can be done so as to preserve
the integrity of the Hill Line,
it Is necessary for me to be ad-
yised whether any other paving
on this Line is contemplated
by the council of 1922.
If the city council has con-
cluded not to submit to a vote
OF the people the ordinance
prepared by you and myself /
would like to be advised as to
whether or not the city council
will give us time In which to
submit a petition under Chap
ter XII of the city charter. re-
questing this ordinance as pre-
pared by you and me to be sub
mitted TO a vote of the people
as provided in this chapter.
We will not require more than
one weeks time in which to
procure and submit to the
Council such petition.
/ will be thankful to you for
q very early answer to my sew
eral inquiries and assuring
you that this matter will have
immediate attention upon hav-
ing your advice and thanking
You for courtesies. wish to re
main Very respectfully. s. 3.
Another Letter from Gilmore