The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-06-02
NOW FOR A BRIDGE.
Heavy Tax Payers of Topeka City
Moving in the Matter.
HANDSOME STRUCTURE PROPOSED.

A Work That VIII Beautify the City,
Give Work to the Unemployed and
BE Of Great Value.
A number of citizens having the best
interests of Topeka at heart have formu-
lated a petition which will be presented
to the city council next Monday night,
asking for new bridge across the Kaw
river on Kansas avenue. and setting
forth eight good reasons why the bridge
should be built.
plan for beautiful steel bridge with six
stone and concrete piers, prepared by the
Melan Arch Construction company of II
Broadway, New York.
Edward Wilder, treasurer of the Santa
Fee, is one of the prime movers of the
idea, and in railroad circles the petition
is backed by ]. J. Frey, II. r. Nicker-
son, Chas. j. Devlin, John e. Frost, r.
b. Lemmel, w. G. Smyser, Geo. T. Mich
olson, w. j. Black, c. R. Hudson, A. A
Hurd, w. A. Coats, o. .. Wood, Geo. N.
Holmes, w. Littlefield, J. Fred Scott, E.
L. Copeland, James Moore, A o. Well
man, NJ. A. Low, c. F. Jilson and D.. At
wood.
The petition among the citizens has re-
ceived the endorsement of such heavy
taxpayers as H. K. Rowley, John r.
Mulvane A W. Knowles. j. w Thurs
L. Shellabarger, I. A Osborn and Joab
! Mulvane. Many more names equally as
representative have been added during
the day.
The petition enumerates among other
things the following facts:
Seven or eight years ago and period
ically since, the Kansas avenue bridge
has been condemned by expert engineers
as unsafe.
ats continued use since while grail
flying, simply brings the time nearer
when it will go down, carrying with it, a
live load.
"The city will then be called upon to
meet not only the cost of a new bridge
but damage suits greater than the cost
of new bridge, besides entailing life
long regret for useless sacrifice.
SIN the emergency the best selection
will not be possible, and we will proba-
bly, be saddIed for all time with bridge
which will fall far short of our artistic
standard.
at is believed that bridge is posi-
BILE which shall utilize in it's construction
large proportion of native material and
home labor, rather than have the chief
expenditure made at a distance.
"By removing the island and extend
ing the south bank about $50 feet into
the river with a stone retaining wall, the
river channel will be vastly improved,
the length and expense of the bridge
will be materially lessened. and the city
park will be made much more servicable
and beautiful.
"N lille it is doubtful expedience for
cities to undertake public works simply
for the sake of creating a demand for
labor, the necessity for new bridge is
so urgent to justify immediate action
and the employment of many idle men
will he very satisfactory incident
"The development of the park and
rock embankment which might be con-
sidered a>luxury, can doubtless be used
in giving relief to labor at moderate
rates, thus avoiding charity that de-
preciates self-respect.
1T is earnestly urged that the subject
be taken up vigorously, and that as
public work in which the greatest gem
eral satisfaction should be secured it is
suggested that a committee of three or
four members of the city council and an
equal number of citizens be appointed
to carefully consider the plans and
methods for securing the best results and
report to your honorable body at an
early date"
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