The Topeka state journal., 1898-07-21
NORTH TOPEKA SEWER
Discussion of It at Lukens' opere
House Last Night.

Discussion of 1t at LukenS' OperS
House Last Night.
Another sewer meeting was held in
the North Topeka Opera House last
night. More of the opponents to the
enterprise were present than at the
former meeting.
DR.. Mitchell was made chairman and
C. F. KimbaIl, secretary.
Engineer Barnes was present, He
said he had been asked to come over
and answer questions, but that he could
not give information and explanations
that could be given at his office, because
he had there books and papers, that he
could not bring with him. He invited
all to call at his office for full particu-
lars. The sewer district covers 200
acres. The highest point is on Grant
street on the north and the Union Pa
cif1c railroad on the south. Between
these points is a valley with the lowest
point along Park and Fairchild streets.
AS the soil is very porous and the cell
lars dry, the highest point of a sewer
would not need to be more than four
and a half feet from the surface, and
as the face of the land inclines also
this depth would not be SO greatly in
creased as it otherwise might be. "A
fall of one foot in 1,200 answers every
purpose in Kalamazoo, Mich. On the
south side the fall is one foot in 200,
and up to 800. The fall in Hutchinson
and in Wichita is less than we would
have, which would be about one foot in
500.
There are two systems, one for house
and lot drainage, and one whose main
purpose is to take off storm water. What
we need is a combination system that
will serve for house drainage, and to a
moderate extent serve to take off storm
water.
AS to cost the ordinance expressly
provides that the average cost per lot
shall not be over $25. If it is not built
for that it cannot be built at all This
includes the main, laterals, manholes,
catch basins and all complete.
Mr. BergundthaI read a carefully pre-
pared estimate of approximate cost,
made by William Green. This showed
an average assessed value of lots on
the avenue from Norris to Gordon of
$1,000, tax per lot $100. On Jackson and
Quincy from Norris to Park. value $500
tax $40. Other streets varied from $500
with tax of $50, to $3.50 with tax of SIS.
All on Madison and Harrison streets
$125, tax $3.50. All on Topeka avenue
500, tax SO. All on Jefferson and Ty-
Ter streets at SIS, tax $3.50.
At these figures, taken mostly from
assessment rolls, the taxable property
amounts to $3.50 900. A ten per cent tax
which cost the sewers must be built.
The cost per lot will vary, as above
shown, from S100 to $3.50 each, and with
ten years to pay it.
In reply to question Mr.. Barnes
stated that probably about One-half the
cost would be paid out for labor.
DR.. Miner favored the sewer. He has
been convinced for years that not a
well in North Topeka affords water fit
to drink.
Mr. Morse asked why the Union Pa
cific is exempt. Mr.. Barnes replied that
according to a contract lease made in
1871 between the city and the railway
company, the latter is to pave and sew
er its right of way. 1t already has a
sewer from its station to the river
which is also used by some citizens,
Billiards. mill and others.
The Fensky sewer is claimed by Mr..
Kraus to work perfectly despite the
evidence of Mr.. E'enSky.
In answer to another question Mr..
Barnes said the back water in times of
acts in city sewers on the coast. 1t
flows in and then flows out. 1t may
be added that this double action of the
water is often beneficial in cleaning a
sewer
Mr.. Stevens asked why it is if water
will drain out of cellars, it will not be
absorbed from the surface. Reply,
that the surface soil is less porous.
Mr. Bryan remarked that water Of
ten runs into his cellar but that it i'm
mediately disappears while Gums ca
nal remains full
Mr. Thompson presented figures cal
cUlated to show that less disease and
death prevail in the First ward than
elsewhere. DR.. Mitchell questioned
their value because there was no COM
paratiVe estimate between districts
having sewer connection and those
without On this basis he presented
figures to show nearly two to one in
favor of the sanitary advantage of
sewers.
Mr.. Page had no doubt of the sue
cess of a sewer He is anxious to
know whether we are to have these i'm
prOvements before he will decide to
! build this side of the river. He
cited an instance in Europe of success
full sewerage where the drain is two
T feet below tide water.
Mr.. Lukens said we had started in
once more to have this sewer and we
| would insist until we got it.
Mr.. Morse deprecated the idea of de-
crying North Topeka as unhealthy for
the sole purpose of creating a senti-
ment in favor of the sewer.
Mr.. Thompson asked why it is, if it
is so unhealthy here, that so many of
our physicians have their offices on the
other side.
G. F. Kimball favored the sewer and
other public improvements on general
principles. 1t is enterprise. 1t indi-
! Gates public spirit. It is in accord with
| the times. He favors it for the same
! reason that he believes in improved
machinery, and in the retention of
/ Porto Rico and the Philippine islands
/ because it is in the line of municipal
and national growth. If we do not
| meet conditions as they appear we fall
! behind and the result will be that still
/ more will leave the North Side as 9TH
| erS have done.
There will be no rest until the North
| Side is improved.
| NEW THRESHER BURNED.