The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-05
A NEW DAM COMPANY
Which Proposes to Finish the
Anthony Dam.
IT DOESN'T WANT A BONUS.

Council ana Much Information is
Elected.
The old Anthony dam project has been
resurrected A company has been or
ganized and was chartered today, which
will undertake to build dam across the
Kansas river, three miles west of the
city, where the old company is said to
have spent $4,000 in laying founda-
ton aud making preliminary arrange
mentS for the construction OF q dam. The
project failed but 81. G. Corwin, who was
one of those interested in the old COM
pany and has never lost faith, says that
this new company means business and
has the money to build dam unaided
He says the company will ask no
bonds, no bonus, and will ask the city to
take no stock. Thomas w. Orbison,
civil engineer from Appleton, Wiscon-
sin, is here looking over the ground and
the other members of the new company
are also here.
The only concession the new company
will ask from the city is that the council
grant the company the same kind of
franchise granted the Oakland company
and contract for 600 horse power, the
same as with the other company. They
will make their contract with the city
conditional upon the failure of the Oak
land company to carry out the provisions
of their contract with the city.
The city can lose nothing from this
kind of contract and the council will
| do we'll to pass the ordinance of the new
company.
The following gentlemen are directors
! in the new company: D. W. Bedding,
Cincinnati, Ohio; f. s. Session, Ionia,
Mich; james Kennedy, Ionia. Mich;
Lewmau Jenison, Jenison, Mich; L F.
McGarry. Grand Rapids, Mich; David
Fitzgerald. Lincoln, Neb; T. E. Bowman,
Topeka. Kans.; R. L. Cofran. Topeka,
Klaus; ]. B. McAfee, Topeka, Kansas.
]. B. MeAfee, Judge ]. W. Day of
Topeka and David Fitzgerald, wealthy
contractor of Lincoln, Nebraska, ap-
peared before the city council last night
and asked that the ordinance granting
franchise to the new company be passed.
Judge Day said: II have carefully in
vestigated the standing of these gentle
men and when I tell you that they are
fully able to build this dam l mean what
l say. They will ask the city to take no
stock; they want no bonus or donation,
and will ask no one to take bonds, for
| they intend to build this dam without
the issuance of single dollar of bonds.
All they ask is that they shall be treated
as we'll as other companies which have
come here. They would like to have the
council pass this ordinance granting
them franchise in the city tonight, and
will ask nothing more at your hands
now"
Ex-Mayor Cofran said: 81 have inves-
tigated the financial ability of these gen
tlemen to do the work intended, and am
satisfied that they are able to build the
] dam AS said in the only real newspa-
i per we have in Topeka, the JOURNAL,
| we now have the state house appropria-
ton, and if we only had the dam we
would be happy. You now have chance
to get one, and don't neglect the oppor-
tunity."
T. E Bowman said: ~ have always
had faith in the dam project, if it was
/ taken hold of by the right men, Though
/ am known to be very conservative, l
have been willing to be taxed to secure
this much needed institution. I know
this company to be responsible. I have
known one of the gentlemen in the COM
pany over forty years, one of the firm OF
Bedding Bros, manufacturers of sewing
silks, and they have factories in many
cities. Knowing what do of this COM
pany feel like giving these gentlemen
a most hearty welcome"
David Fitzgerald of Lincoln. Nebraska,
said: 81 have thoroughly investigated
the question of building dam above
your city and I am very we'll pleased.
We have the money and stand ready to
invest it in Topeka if you will give us
this ordinance. If you will give US your
support it means an investment of be-
tween $3.50, 900 to $1,00O,000. and nearly
all of it in your city. If you can't give
US what we ask we will bid you good bye
and thank you for this hearing.
Samuel DoHman said: 81 have always
been interested in this business, and
hope you will encourage this company"
Councilman Fulton: II would like to
ask the city attorney if we have the right
to grant this franchise while another dam
franchise is in force?
City Attorney TilIotson-"Yes, you
have a legal right to grant as many as
you please"
Councilman Fulton-"Have we g
moral right?"
City Attorney Tillotson-"An attorney
is not required to pass on that ques-
tiou."
Councilman Ettlinger-"The franchise
to the other company has lapsed twice
and been renewed, and l am in favor OF
giving this new company a chance"
Councilman Bradford-"I would be in
favor of a dozen dams, but it does not
seem right to grant franchise which
has been given to another company"
Councilman Pattison-"When we have
something tangible l am in favor oil
taking hold of it, and it seems to me
that this is the first tangible proposition
we have had"
Councilman Fellows-"The question
about putting up wires is a serious one
and I think we should not be in toe
much OF hurry"
Councilman Stephenson-"I would like
to ask if the company has taken out ,
charterf"
Judge Day-~No, we have not It will
be taken out the first thing tomorrow"
"The Mayor-"We can't grant thu
. charter until there is company to gran
it tor
Oscar Swayze said that the thing TO
| the council to do was to grant the fran
chise at once. There was no question
about the sentiment of the people.
The matter was then referred for re