The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-03-20
WE GET THE PHONES.
Franchise Grained to the Harrison
Telephone Company.
TIE DISPOSAL OF CITY REFUSE.

Matters
The Harrison Telephone company was
granted q franchise to operate in Topeka
sra competition with the 1Iisso uri 81 Kan
sas Telephone company by the city
council last nigh-
Since the Harrison company first asked
for a franchise d month ego, their en-
trance has been opposed MOI only by the
rival company but other corporations
with wires now oWernead These com
DanIes had agents present at aAA the meet
5nps of the WAYS and means committee
when the franchise was under considera-
ton. They asked for ample protection"
from the new company ia case their
wires should become crossed and burn
them out.
Eugene ouinton. the attorney for the
Mulvane telephone, and r. NJ. Gage of
the street railway company, were present
and repeated their demands for the pro-
lection AIr. Quinton said he was be-
fore the council this time not as Dir. Mul-
Vane'a lawyer but as a private citizen
He spoke about the great harm that
might arise from the addition to the
present multiplicity of wires and said
the bond should be at least $4,000.
Ihls made A. s. Rodgers, one OF the
Harrison telephone people, mad lie
said Mr Quinton was not there as
private citizen but as the paid attorney of
rival corporation. He denounced what
he called Dir. guinton's private citizen
racket" BE urged the c0uncilmen to
-Be men Rise above corporations and
treat PC as citizens with money TO invest
Treat ms AS Won would want 10 be treated
if you we're id our places.n
R "a. Gage said the matter of an i'm
demnity bond was of great Importance
to the city and he wanted IL given the
careful consideration if deserved
s.. 81 Bear saids ~Ihe Bell telephone
people are trying every scheme they can
10 hamper as and this matter Of bond
IS one Of them. We are willing to do
the right thing and protect all the i'm
terests of the city. but we object to hav-
ing the terms of cur entrance dictated by
our enemies. I expect a lawsuit with the
other telephone before 50 days"
The matter of Che indemnity bond was
discussed thoroughly MIR. Bradford said.
t.Ihis franchise is to last for twenty years
and we should be sure-foOted- There
has been too much laxity." He said sec
ton s, which perfained to the bond was
q legal trap that would cause trouble.
The bond was finally agreed upon for
#l5sQo0 during the two years OF construc-
ton and $4,000 bond to be maintained
thereafter Other features of the ordi-
nance were left about as the ways and
means ccmmittee prepared them When
the ordinance came on its final passa re
all Of the ten members voted aye, but
Alr. Bradford explained that he did 50
with q mental reservation.
Eor Wafer rnvestigation.
The water supply Of Topeka and the
rates charged therefore ia To be q matter
f0r investigation bv the city council
Col Burgess has heard reports that the
Water supply company has raised its
prices "a several localities and he says
that inasmuch as the prices are regu-
lated not only by ordinance, but
by statute this can be stop
ped. With view to correcting
This evil AIr. Burgess introduced the fol-
lowing resolution which was adopted.
.Resolveds That the committee on
sewers and waterworks is hereby
directed and authorized to Investigate
the water supply and the rate charged
for water against the city and inhabi-
tants thereof. and report what If any fur
Their proceeding should be taken by the
city Of Topeka concerning this natter
10 Remove Tracks.
The lines Of street-car and other tracks
that have been abandoned viii be re-
moved. The council ordered the street
commissioner last night to remove them
without delay. The old tracks on East
Fifth street and the West Side Circle
railway tracks are specified especially.
The resolution % this effect. from the
pen Of Col Burgess. reads.
"Resolvads That the street commits
si0ner Is hereby Instructed to remove
from the streets of the city of Topeka
alI car tracks. rails. ties and stringers.
not operated upon during the past year;
particularly the street-car tracks in
North Topeka. except on Kansas avenue;
the W est Side Circle tracks on Jackson
street. and the track on East Fifth street
The same are now and long have been
nuisance.
The Dump Bought.
Those who favor the municipal owner
ship of street railways and other neces- !
stiles, VIII be please to learn that the city
has bought and VIII hereafter operate its
own city dump. This dump was bought
Of Col. Durham last night for $3.50, one
half of which IS paid down and the other
half July 18th.
The dump VIII be operated as hereto /
FORE except that he charge for the use
Of i VIII be reduced to point Just
sQnclene 70 cover the actual expense of
operation. The dump is a mile east of
the city IS IS patent arrangement with
with 9 cable stretched across the river
~ hereby all the city refuse matter is
dumped into the river. The patent has
sixteen more years 10 run. Col Durham
"threw ~" an extra cable.
CouneiIettes-
ALI of the councilmen were present
Mayor Harrison called Mr. F,ttlinUer to
the chair az 1920 ats he had ~ catch tina
Rock Island train west
by resolution from MT Fulton IL was
voted to repair the well at Tenth street
and Topeka avenue.
The bond Of Charles Nanderpool- the
license collector iu the sum of $500
with A. W Knowles and O. wv. Jewell AZ
sureties, was approved.
The ditch at Seventeenth and West
streets was ordered % be filed no bv the
street commissioner.
Il was voted 70 accept the proposition
scales from the city jail yard to 21O West