The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-06
THE WATER WORKS.
More About the Question so Much in
Litigation.

A JouEnaI reporter asked President
Street number of questions about the
water works and his replies are given
below.
The charter of the company has about
four years to run. Meanwhile if the
difference between the city and the
company can be settled on a basis
which seems fair to the city, the Jour
nal sees no reason why it should not be
done.
The city has got the worst of it SO
far, the case in the supreme court going
against it. If the company will agree
to a fair compromise, the city ought to
take advantage of it. The following
is the interview:
Mr.. Street, what is your understand
ing of the status of affairs of
the water works company and the city,
now, since the recent decision of the
supreme cOurt?'
1.-THE meaning of the franchise has
been construed by the courts. This en-
ton both as to making extensions ana
charging the city for hydrants.
Does the water works company pro-
pose to enforce it's rights as determined
by the outcome of this case?''
1.-The only right the company proposes
to enforce, IL possible, is its right to eX-
ist. We wish to compromise all other
differences. The trouble has been so
long
even anxious to make concessions,
which, under ordinary circumstances.
would not be justified from a business
standpoint. We do this, not from any
fear of the results of further litigation,
but because it is better business to
spend our money in improving the wa
ter works rather than In hiring law
yers. The water consumers indirectly
pay our lawyers We think they would
be better pleased if their money went
to- help pay for a more extended serV-
ice''
What about the amount due from
the old South Topeka cOrporatiOn?"
1.-The amount due from South Topeka
is between 81, 500 and $1,000. This is one
of the matters we are ready to ADJUST
and scale down if necessary:
What about extensions and new ny
drants?''
THE company wants to extend it's
mains and it wants the city to pay
something for the increased fire protec-
tion it will receive"
Does the company expect to receive
$50 per year for all new hydrants?"
I'VE think the decision of the court
juStifies our demanding $50 per hydrant
but we do not propose to be arbitrary.
The city authorities think this sum eX-
cesSive and we wish to meet their WISH
eS in all matters We are willing to
make liberal concessions to bring about
a compromised
How do the rentals for city and fire
purposes in Topeka compare with those
THE rates for fire protection are
bout average. It is difficult to give
figures to show this because the man.
ner of charging differs so widely and
conditions are so varied
How do the rentals for private con-
cun1erS compare?
1.-The rates for private consumers are
low. We have figures charged by sew
eral companies in our office:
For house of seven rooms with
bath, toilet and sprinkling privileges, a
consumer would pay the following rates
per annum in the cities named:
topeka, Mail. 91O %
Kansas City, Observation-Disclosures. 20
East ST. Louis % 20
Leavenworth, Kan...........2 29. 75
Springfield, Ill. Observation-Disclosures. 21 so
Stillwa ter, MINI. 27 90
Little Rock, Ark 27 90
Bridgeport, Conn. n..............~... 20 SO
Our rates are almost identical with
those charged in ST. Louis.
How long does the present charter
run?''
I'm 1901 the city has the right to ac-
quire and become the sole owner of the
WaterwOrkS or to extend the franchise.
If the city desires to purchase the
property and the city and company can
not agree upon the price, the manner of
appraising the property is to be de-
termined by the district court OF Shaw
nee county. The usual method is for
each party to appoint an arbitrator and