The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-14
COUNCIL WARY.
City Hall Ordinance Fails to Be
Adopted.
No Provision For Fire Depart
ment the Cause.
WANT TO BE SURE
That 1t Will Not Be Located in
the City Hall.
Matter Will Be Adjusted Next
Monday Evening.
POtWin Annexation Is Also
Deferred.
WANT TO BE SURE
twin Annexation Is Also
Deferred.

The new city hall ordinance was not
passed by the city council last night
and was in reality defeated, though the
vote was afterward reconsidered.
The council did not refuse to act be-
cause the members are enemies to pro-
gress and the development of the city,
but by reason of a belief that the ordi-
nance did not make the question of the
disposal of the fire department clear.
Those who voted against the ordinance
were Councilman Skinner, Benson, Ell
lott, Morgan and Blossom. The same
men afterward voted solidly for recon-
Sideration.
Final action was finally postponed I'M
til next Monday evening when the ordi-
nance will be ready for passage.
The councilmen who voted against the
ordinance feared that an attempt would
be made to house the fire department
in the city hall
A large delegation from the CONNER
cial club was present at the meeting to
urge the passage of the ordinance.
Maj. T. J. Anderson, secretary of the
club said: Il am here to discuss a
subject you have never heard anything
about before-the auditorium. 1t was
suggested by your city attorney at a
meeting of the Commercial club that
the present city hall be sold and the
money be used to build a new city hall
and auditorium, bonds being issued to
make up the balance. We are here
now asking you to pass this ordinance
so that the proposition may be submit
ted at the April election"
John r. Mulvane said: '"This matter
ought to have your earliest attention.
The proposition should be voted on at
the spring election. The people are
earnestly and solidly right on this mat
ter and you only have to pass the ordi-
nance and the voters will do the rest
Councilman Drew-What are you go
ing to do for an engine house for the
fire department?
City Attorney Bird-That is a ques-
ton of detail that may be arranged
hereafter. You can have that provided
for in the plans and specifications.
Councilman Skinner see the or
dinance provides for 80 year bonds. Why
not make them 20 years?
Mr.. Mulvane-A 80 year bond will sell
better than 20 year bond The or
dinance provides for a 4 per cent bond
and think the time is short enough for
that kind of a bond.
Councilman Skinner would like to
/ have the ordinance indicate what is to
be done with the fire department.
Councilman Elliott don't believe we
should have the fire department in the
new city hall.
Councilman Warner-I do not regard
it as an impossibility to have the fire
department in the same building as
the auditorium. have never been
bothered here by the fire department.
Councilman Burgess-.It strikes me
that this does not cut much figure. The
thing to do is to pass the ordinance.
The vote was then taken with the
result that the ordinance was defeated
Councilman Drew, Warner, ROundtree
and Burgess voting for it.
Mayor FeIlows-It seems to me that
something ought to be done with this
ordinance out of courtesy to the Com
mercial club if nothing else.
Councilman Skinner-Put a provision
in the ordinance for the fire depart
ment and it will be adopted.
Councilman Drew voted for this
ordinance but L can see a good reason
why these cOuncilmen voted against it.
1t seems to me that the wording of the
ordinance would compel US to include
the fire department, city hall and audi
torium in one building.
Councilman Skinner moved that the
! ordinance be referred to the judiciary
committee and the motion prevailed
with a proviso that a report is to be
made next Monday. evening.