The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-01-26
TsY r. KENNETH EVANsl
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In the past twenty years public
improvements and public utilities OF
a high degree of efficiency have be-
come so common that people no long
er stop to think OF their great good
fortune IL living in this day and
age. If one of our ancestors were
suddenly to come to life his amaze
ment at the completely and complet-
eness with which the Inhabitants
of the modern city are served would
be an accurate index OF the change
that has taken place.
People speak OF the danger 10 life
ION our crowded city streets. 1t Is
trae, every day we read of some
automobile accident. This is a re-
grettablc feature of our modern lie
but il is one that improving traffic
laws and systems will gradually
eliminate .--....
But does the present day individu-
al ever stop to think of thousands
that once died every year from the
terrible typhoid plague, largely
spread through the medium OF tie
impure water supply. In the good old
days when every citizen had his
backyard well and there were no
sewer systems TO speak OF, the
TYPHOID germ had a delightful TINT
of il. There were so many places
where he could grow and thrive that
his progeny multiplied into uncount
able millions. And each one took his
toll. In the present day he has a
sorry time of it. In modern waite?
systems such as is enjoyed by the
citizens of Mankato, there are few
chances for germ OF any kind TO
find foothold, so thoroughly have
practically all plants adopted the
most scientific publication methods
known.
In the old days father laid in a
supply OF oil and candles for the
winter months and the fiicker1ns
light given of by the oil lamp o.
the candle was so feeble that there
is little wonder that educational
reading was but little done. a.
development and growth Of the
modern library system has come
principally since the general adop
ton and introduction OF electric
lighting systems everywhere Our
modern Libraries, such as are TO be
found in the smallest towns WoItu
have been impossible il had LCt been
Tor the electric light, turning night
the laborer as well as for the rich
man to read and assimilate all that
can be gained from books.
And on down the list, each and
every one OF our public utilities has
conferred some benefit upon the
public OF untold value. They have
made possible all the many refine
ments OF our complicated modem
Industrial life. And when. for even
the shortest time, the public is de-
priYed OF some one OF them, "kic!,"
is Immediately registered and those
in charge are let. to know just what
the public thinks of them.
Mankato is blessed on the whole
with as fine lot Of public utilities
as a city of this size could wish for.
AS the years go on improvements
and changes take place which MAKE
il possible for them to render even
more complete service but for the
present time the citizens can thank
the efficient city governments II has
enjoyed for the quality OF scrvica
it is now receiving from its public
utilities.
The sources of water supply and
the way in which this water is dis
tributed is Of prime importance to
Any CITY. hdDs nave UGH
tarded in their growth simply be-
cause of Inadequate water supply.
The sources OF water supply for
the city at this time are, three ar
tesian wells. They are or sufficient
depth to eliminate@any chance oil
surface contamination. The water is
as pure as can be found anywhere
and analysts shows that the water
is so nearly pure that 1t is not nece3 :
sary to maintain a filtration system
for its publication, as is the case
where surface water is used for do
nestle purposes.
The water plant is municipally
owned and z21.54 mileN or water
mains traverse all parts of the city
and IL is possible for practically all
residents to get connections with
the. water system. The water mains
range In size all the way from four
inches to sixteen which ia OF sui
. ficient size 70 carry an adequate sup
sly of water through all the more
Sengeeted districts OF tie city