The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-08
THE WATERWORKS PLANT.
Steps Taken to Find Out What It is
Worth

City Attorney Bird has been instruct
ed to commence proceedings in the state
supreme court at once for the forfeiture
of the franchise Of the Topeka Water
company.
This is one of the preliminary steps
taken by the council in an executive
meeting last night to the requirement
of the water plant by the city. City
Attorney Bird contends and told the
members of the council that the present
company has no franchise in Topeka
He was instructed to prove his asser-
lions by proceedings in the courts and
that will be done.
There is a diversity of opinion among
the members of the council concerning
the method by which the city is to be-
come owner of the waterworks but
there is a general sentiment that it shall
not be done through condemnation.
Councilman Drew wants to have
competent engineers employed to ascer-
tain the value of the plant now in use
and make a tender of that sum to the
company. ''I do not believe in having
appraisers appointed by the court,
assurance that thew yill take proper
means to ascertain the value of the
plant. 1t will be necessary to dig
down to the mains in many places and
find out what condition they are in and
we want to be sure that it is done. If
we make a tender of the amount the
plant is worth and it is refused then we
will be in position to take other steps,
Councilman Warner does not believe
in paying any attention to the present
water company but to go right ahead
and build a new plant.
Councilman Elliott want sto give the
company an opportunity to fix a price
at which they will sell to the city.
Councilman Morgan wants to do moth
ing which will be considered unfair to
the water company or which will have
the appearance of being confiscatiOn of
their property.
council should be careful and also be fair
to the present company.
The members agreed to adopt resolutions
which cover all the ground. They ask for
a proposition from the water company and
also instruct the engineer to prepare plans
The resolutions adopted at the meeting
last night are as follows:
Whereas, The voters of the city of To
peka, at a recent election, have voted in
favor of the city of Topeka acquiring a
water plant for the use of said city and
its inhabitants. therefore be it
Resolved, That the Topeka Water COM
pany, the corporation now furnishing
quested to inform the mayor and council
if said company has any proposition to
Spo1ait Ior oae olsPoS s+ 81 us property 10
Resolved, That the city clerk is hereby
directed to furnish to the manager of the
water company copy Of this resolution,
also mail a copy of the same to Charles F.
Street president of said company.
Resolved. By the mayor and council of
the city of Topeka, That the city engineer
be and is hereby instructed to secure
competent engineer to assist him in pre-
water plant and also to ascertain the pres
ent condition and value of the present
water plant.
''Resolved, BY the mayor and council of
the city of Topeka. That the city engineer
be and he is hereby instructed to prepare
detailed plans and specihca tons for COM
pIete system of water works for the city
of Topeka, with a detailed estimate of the
cost of the same, under oath, as soon as
convenient