The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-15
OFF ITS FEET.
The OpDOsitiOn to- the North
Topeka Sewer
Was Nearly Swept Away at
Last Nights Meeting.
ARE CONVERTED
And Others Are IndustriOusly
Seeking the Light.
Both Factions Will Unite in
Another Big Meeting.


ton and confession. The sewer meet
ing at Lukens' Opera House last night
was a hummer. 1t was an eye opener
1t was, in fact, a modern search light.
1t was well attended, and larger than
the opposing meeting previously held
The leading property holders were
there. 1t represented the best intelIl-
gence of this important part of the
city. Several opponents were present,
but not so many as was desired. But
they came with minds open for convic-
ton, and most of them went home with
their views changed, and perhaps all of
them are anxious for more information
William Green was chairman, and
NJ. G. Holman secretary.
The chairman said the meeting was
open to all and those opposed were in
vited to take part and ask questions.
He was satisfied that the opposition
arose from a miscOneeptiOn of the sit
uatiOn. Engineer Barnes had been ask
ed to be present but not being able to
attend the opposition meeting, thought
it would not be well to attend this one.
The following letter, however, was read.
AS will be seen it was addressed to the
opposition:
Topeka, Kan, July II, 1898.
Messrs, Morse. Hale and Thompson,
North Topeka, Kansas.
Gentlemen:-You invitation to at
tend your anti-sewer meeting. at hand.
Please allow me to state that the in
formation you seek, is on file in the
city engineers office, and is not in a
office. I would be pleased to meet any
and all gentlemen you may select, or
who may choose to come, to look into,
and talk over the matter of a sewer in
North Topeka.
A former committee spent nearly a
half a day looking up the matter in
this office, and no doubt they will have
a report to make.
I will state that the boundary line Of
the district, as proposed by the coun-
ell, is now published in the State Jour
nal
In answer to your indirect inquiries,
please allow me to state, that the COM
mittee of health reported to the cOun-
ell on July 8, 1897, That a sewer dis
trict be formed, as recommended by
said board of health. and that main and
lateral sewers, with all appurtenances,
be built therein, providing the cost of
said sewer does not exceed an average
cost of twenty-five dollars, ($25) per
lot, payable in ten annual instaIlments,
with interest not to exceed Z per cent
annum."
So the average cost was estimated at
$25 per lot, at that time.
LOcatiOn-The main sewer is intended
to extend from the river along Fair
child street, to Central avenue; thence
north on Central avenue to Park street;
thence west on Park street to the alley
west of Central avenue. with Sub-mainS
on Park street to Van Buren, street, and
son street; the lateralS to be so placed,
that every piece Of property in the dis
trict Will be accommodated with a sew
er. Depth of laterals to be about four
and half to five feet at the upper end,
and run to meet the main sewer.
You VIII note, no doubt, that the
main follows the lowest portion of the
district, and the laterals stop at the
highest points
The district has about 800 business
houses and dwellings. and must have a
population of about 1000 souls.
We are rather surprised that men
of your standing should be opposed to
an Improvement that would add much
to the health and comfort of your citi-
zens, and add to the desirability and
value of your property.
Hoping you may have a very pleas
ant meeting, L am, very respe@ fully.
VIM. H. BARNES.
P. S.-The plan calls for storm water
eaten basins on the street corners
w. H. B.
1t was explained that the main sewer
is intended to follow Fairchild street
because it is the only one along which
the city has right of way across the
railroad tracks to the river.
DR. Mitchell spoke wisely and well
referring to the sanitary needs of the
ward: I'VE are present only to con-
slider the best interests of all, as friends
and neighbOrS, to fairly consider what
concerns all and to consider honestly
and intelHgently. The records show
IaId1IY
drainage is not had. Our porous sub
soil, carrying disease and death stealth
lily along the under currents, unseen
and unknown to tbs common observer,
is a most subtle enemy to healthy con-
ditions while so desirable in many re
spects. It makes contamination of well
water so easy, that the time will soon
come, if it is not already here, when its
use must be prohibited by law. It is
a mistake to suppose impure or con-
taminated water is purified by fltering
through sand, Such filter will deprive
it of much vegetable and organic mat
ter, but not of the minute disease
germs
c. NJ. Kistler asked what proportion
of South Topeka is connected with the
sewers and if city water is not as bad
as any we'll water.
Dr. Mitchell replied that about half
of the south side has sewer connection.
Here the use of city water prevails, and
the percentage of death and disease is
greater outside of the sewer district.
Mr.. WOodman inquired if this might
not be owing to the fact that more
wealth is concentrated in this district
and the people not SO deprived of the
comforts and necessaries of life. Reply,
Statistics show that the wealthy are
more subject to disease, in the same
district, because of their i'll kept hours,
over feeding, and habits not conducive
to good health.
G. F Kimban was glad to see the
North side waking up to an apprecia-
ton of its magnificent possibilities He
said: "A sewer system is needed, but
that is not all. AS a part of the city
and as a suburb the North side has
advantages over all others. It's loca-
ton is most desirable for residences as
we'll as for manufacturing. Its street
car system is the best, cars running
the oftenest and the latest. The new
bridge reduces the distance between
the city postoffice and Station A one
half. With Garfield park improved ac-
in n At
auditorium, everything is in favor of
the North side II only raI11ains for