The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-08-17
CUT BY STANDARD y
SLASH BY OTHERS
Mayor Made Attack On the
Cost Last Night
OULDSELLLIQUID
Council Takes Coenizance OF
Matter; Business BY City
Fathers

Mayor w. A. Beach has declared
war on the prices on gasoline. At
last nights meeting of the city
council, Mayor Beach called atten-
ton to the fact that Mankato peo-
pie were paying from twenty three
to twenty four cents per gallon for
their gasoline, while the liquid was
being quoted On the Chicago mar
kets for s 1-2 cents per gallon
wholesale. Mayor Beach said that he
had made Inquiries as to the freight
rates from Chicago TO Mankato on
gasoline, and had learned that they
are "a cents per gallon. This would
make gasoline purchased at Chica-
go at those figures eleven cents per
gallon laid down at this city. Witt
an added four cents for handling
the gasoline 1t could be sold at four
teen cents per gallon. This would be
a pure saving OF from seven to
eight cents per gallon to Mankato
consumers from the prices now be-
ing paid the Standard Oil company.
Il believe that Mankato should
have some place to store at least
lnO vi Iii CO Sdl LOoNo VI 6ooOAlhC.
We ought TO be getting gasoline
here at at least fifteen cents per
gallon, and ii is outrageous to pay
what We are for the gas. The Stan
dard Oil company Is keeping prices
up to the high plane OF war times
not alone on gasoline but on crude
oil. 1t is high time that some agita-
ton be started for the lowering OF
prices. We have now purchased the
two lots at the foot Of Front street
hill, and this would be a good place
to locate receptacles for the holding
of the gasoline for the city use, and
If exorbitant prices are resorted
to again, | believe in selling the
gasoline to residents of this city at
fair prices, that is, If the city car go
into the selling of gasoline"
On motion of Councilman Gust
Kleinschmidt, Mayor Beach was
named as chairman of a committee
of the whole city council to investt-
gate gasoline prices, and take
whatever steps necessary to bring
about lower gasoline prices in Man
kato.
Price Drop Is Ordered
Coming on the heels Of Mayor
Beach's decision, the Standard Oil
company this morning at all filling
stations in this city and elsewhere
were quoting gas at about 1853 cents
per gallon have dropped over night
from twenty three and twenty four
cents per gallon. ;,
In accordance with the drop in
prices by the Standard Oil company,
the Illinois Oil company and the
Mankato Oil company have also cut
prices to 16.S.
The order to the Standard Oil
company managers to cut the price
of gasoline was sent u o the
headquarters early last night.
Declaration of war on the gaso-
line price was not the only thrill
of last nights meeting. Councilman
J.. w. Johnson and Mayor Beach en-
gagged in a lively tilt over the ques-
ton Of certain improvements ABOUT
the city.
At a former meeting of the coun-
Gil the matter of the installation OF
lights at certain intersections OF
streets in the north end of the city
was referred to Mayor Beach and
he had been investigating them.
There are a number of people
living on North Fourth street who
have made complaints to me in re-
gard to the installation Of lights in
that part of the city. They are com
planning that they are not being put
in" said Councilman Johnson.
That matter is being looked in
to-" replied avor Beach.
well. can't a fellow tell you about
it. | think l have a right to state
what the people told me-
"Of course you have" said the
Mayor.
81 think that something ought to
be done in regard to this question
of the Northern States Power COM
pany trying to force the people to
put in safety cabinets" said Coun-
Gilman Johnson.
THAT matter" said Mayor Beach,
has been referred to City Attorney
Gilmore who has already served no
tice on the company that 1t must
comply with the present regulations
until some ordinance to the contrary
is passed"
all spring and talking, but nothing
has been done"
Mayor Beach replied by saying:
Who's doing the talking? You are
doing most OF the talking"
This Is not a quarreling meet
ing" said Councilman Johnson.
"You have been doing all Of the
o~uarrelling, ii seems TO me-" an
swered Mayor Beach.
The Crane Ordway company of
this city will be asked to keep
switched cars out of Pike street so
as to avoid danger to traffic.
: City Clerk Bates was instructed
to advertise for bids for the install
lation OF curb and gutter, gravelling
and other repairs on several Of the
streets OF the city, these bids to be
opened August 81.
No bids being received for the
construction of an extension to a
storm sewer on Silver Ravine road,
the city decided to make the extern
sion with day labor.
! Former Banker Indicted.
TASsOci"tad PrcSS pigr2tCh.l