The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-21
Water Plant Removed to TOpe-
ka Township for Taxation.
HOW 1T WAS MANAGED
Mr.. Drew Helped to Frustrate
the Scheme.
Another Reason Why the Water
Company Shuns Mr.. Drew.
But the People Are Satisfied
With the Record He Made.

1t is only a few years ago that Mr..
d. w. Mulvane, manager of the Brooks
campaign for mayor and a most agree
able gentleman, went before the board
of county commissioners as attorney
for the Topeka Water company. When
he left the office of the county commits
sioners the waterworks plant had been
transferred to Topeka township for pur-
poses of taxation and the city was the
loser to the tune of IS, 900 annually in
taxes.
What was done by Mr.. Mulvane as
attorney for the water company was
perfectly legitimate so far as he was
concerned. AS a paid attorney it was
his duty to do the best he could for the
water company. No one blamed him
for what was done then but the move
of the water company to cheat the city
of Topeka out of the taxes on the plant
which is a very small return for the
money received from the city was re-
sented by every tax payer and intensi-
fled the feeling against this foreign cor
poratlon. 1t is the privilege of Mr.. Null
Vane to bring out a candidate for may
or. No one blameS him for exercising
right that belongs to any citizen but
the people should think twice before
they vote for his candidate.
A history of the transaction by which
the property of the water company was
transferred to Topeka township is given
in the following extract from a report
the mayor and council last fall:
In 1895, the Topeka Water company
had the assessment and taxes of it's
property in the city of Topeka, Except
transferred from the city of Topeka to
Topeka township. In 1896 all property
of the Topeka Water company within
the corporate limits of said city was
assessed in said city. The receiver of
the Topeka Water company sought to
have this assessment transferred to To-
peka township. Failing in this, he then
tried to have the assessment reduced
and when this was refused, he then
threatened injunction proceedings to en-
join the collection of the taxes in the
city of Topeka, and on September 3,
1897, he brought an action in the cir
cult court of the United States in the
name of the Topeka Water company,
the New Jersey corporation, to enjOin
the collection of all taxes of said water
company due and payable in the city
of Topeka.
I'm 1897, the property of the Topeka
Water company was again assessed in
the city of Topeka at $15S,940 These
taxes the water company refused to
pay. The water company having failed
and refused to pay it's taxes due to the
city of Topeka for 1896 and 1897 amount
ing to $11,S the city then refused to
pay any more hydrant rental until the
tax question was settled.
In the summer of 1898, by agreement,
the city paid to the water company all
hydrant rental due it under the or
dinance, and the water company paid
its taxes for the years 1896 and 1897"
1t was largely through the efforts of
Mr.. Drew that the council and mayor
prevented the consummation of the
scheme of the company. The council
ordered the city assessor to place the
plant on the tax rolls of the city. The
water company secured an injunction
and Councilman Drew and his aSSOci-
ateS refused to allow the claim of the
water company for hydrant rentals un-
til the taxes were paid in the city. The
injunction granted by the federal court
did not frighten Mr.. Drew who was
protecting the interests of the city.
This is only one chapter in the history
of the existence of the water company
in Topeka and there are many of a
similar character. The people have
nothing to hope from a corporation
which sneaked out of the state to re-
organize in New Jersey. 1t is impos-
sible for officers who have their place
of business on Wall street in New York
to be in touch with the people of To-
peka.
This campaign has not increased the
respect of the water company for Presi-
dent Charles ]. Drew of the city coun-
Gil He has dared to stand for the
people and tax payers ofTopeka against
this institution which would fasten
itself on the city for 20 years more. If
any one thinks that the fight with the
water company is over he is mistaken
it is just begun. From now until the
city acquires the plant or builds a new
one relentless warfare will be waged
on the mayor and city council who will
be in control of the situation.
. These attacks may take the form of
quiet underhand political work or they
may be bold and open but in any event
the people must be on their guard.
This is no time for sleeping for interests
are involved which are of interest to
every man, woman and child in Topeka.
The child who is ten years old today
would feel the burden imposed by the
water company if an extension of the
franchise is secured.
Charles J. Drew can be trusted for
he has been tried. He is no experiment.
There is no use to appeal to the preju-
dice of people or make partisan attacks
to get their minds off the true issue
Abuse does not convince people who
know that this is a war of issues and
not of men.