The Geauga Republican-record. [volume] (Chardon, Geauga County, Ohio) 1922-1952, 1952-10-09
These Citizens
Bought Sofety
Minus US Help

NOh II MANhAlO, M .-neSl-
dents Of this town have realized anc
put into action the only practical
plan for reducing the federal tax
burden Here is the Washington Re
port of the US. Chamber Of Com
merce story on how they do some,
thing about the problem:
Thirteen months ago, muddy
flood waters of the Minnesota River
spilled into the fiat streets and
yards of North Mankato. The dam.
age to property was estimated al
SIS million.
IT'S residents knew that such a
flood could happen again-any time
Something had to be done. But the
big question was how should il be
done and who should do it?"
One, solution-and possibly the
easiest way out-would be to ask
for help from Washington Thus. the
cost Of providing the flood protec.
ton at North Mankato would be
put on everyone who paid federal
taxes,
Another way was for the com.
munity to pay the cost itself. True.
each residents share of the burden
would be greater II no outside help
were solicited. but the job could
be done quickly.
THE latter course was followed.
Bond issue
"A $60, 900 bond issue was floated.
a 25-foot flood wall was built along
the river bank. No federal help. No
state help. Only a local bond issue,
backed UP by the people of North
Mankato.
Game the spring thaw and rains
of April. 1852. The Minnesota River
began TO rise again. Across the riv.
er at Mankato. where residents
were less sure how their own flood
control protection should be pro.
vided. the muddy water again be-.
gan to spill into the streets and
cellars.
North Mankato residents. on the
other hand. kept q close watch on
their flood wall. Was it high enough?
Was it strong enough?
, There seemed to be little doubt
about the strength. but the river
rose more rapidly than 1t did the
year before. Mayor Howard c. Vol.
lam took no chances. He ordered
workers to Immediately put another
foot on top Of the 25-foot wall. II
was going to cost 100000. but Mayor
Wollam said there was no time to
ponder that problem. And he knew
how the residents Of North Man.
kato felt.
"The river crested at 24.6 feet
this year and North Mankato resi-.
dents remained dry. But it had q
bill for SAC, 900 on it's ihahds.
Another bond issue? A citizens
committee was told that the interest
on that would be $4,000 year. But
how else could money be obtained?
Community Action
Then the. community went into
action. .-.a.
"One Monday night last month it
was decided that the residents of
North Mankato would be tapped for
$4,000 the next evening between z
and II P. M Every one was asked
to stay at home. Each family's
share would be $50.
ION the night of the collection.
the streets were virtually deserted
save for the volunteer solicitors. An
estimated 81 per cent Of the resi-.
dents remained at home. Collection
turned in shortly after z p. M.
by 8 o'clock several thousand
dollars had been received. BY 9
o'clock thousands more. And by $3.50
the people who live in North Man
kato had Clipped In more than $43.-
900 of their own money.
persons who owned more than
one home contributed $40 for each
Only IL families out Of more
than l,700 failed to contribute.
North Mankato has It's food
wall. It is no longer worried about
the Minnesota River. Across the
river. Mankato residents are q bit
sheepish about the sandbagging
they had TO do last month in q vain
effort TO prevent damage to their
city =.