The Topeka state journal., 1899-09-12
FISTS SHAKEN.
City Council In a Wrangle
About City Hall Plans.
Members Accused Of CoIlusion
With Architects.
PROOF IS DEMANDED.
Charges Resented and Investi-
cation COurted.
J. c. Holland Receives First
Prize of $500.

There was an exciting scene in the
city council chamber Monday evening
following the award of the first prize
for the city hall plans
Councilman Elliott boldly charged
Councilman Nettels and Councilman
Warner with having dictated the win
ming plans.
Councilman Elliott said some one had
told him but he could not remember
who.
Councilman Nettels demanded the
appointment of a committee to investi-
gate the charges.
The council wishing to express its
confidence in the integrity of its mem
bers refused to allow a committee to
be appointed.
Councilman Warner defended him
self and said that he had not asked a
member of the city council to vote for
any of the plans.
Mayor Drew called a meeting of the
city council for the purpose Of cOnsid-
ering the city hall plans. Councilman
Belts OF the First ward was the only
absentee.
The competing plans were arranged
on tables and the mem berS spent an
hour making an examination of them.
Then Councilman Nettels asked that a
vote be taken TO determine which plan
should receive the first prize.
Councilman Burgess would like to
have this matter postponed 1 have not
made an examination of the plans We
have some nice pictures here but I
don't care anything about the picture.
I don't care how it looks on the out
side 1 want to know that it viii be all
right inside.
Councilman Mergan-I don't agree
with the gentleman. I want to see a
building as nearly perfect as il is pos
s1ble to make it. The exterior should
be considered for what would the peo-
pie Ihlnk OF US II we put up an ugly
building We should make it the best
to be had from the foundation to the
roof I don't want to see a poor stick
Councilman Willard-AsI understand
1t We are not adopting any plans. We
are simply paying for ideas. It is pos
sible that several of these plans will
have good features and we should try
to incorporate them all. We can make
any changes we desire and we might
as wei make the award Of the prizes
now.
Councilman Hughes-We don't know
what this building is going to cost I
understand that both lumber and iron
submitted and I think that we had bet
ter postpone this action one day and
allow committee to get some esti-
mates.
Councilman Nettels-The gentleman
says he is not ready but when win he
be ready2 These architects have given
US statements of the cost and the best
we can do now is to take their figures.
No Iumberman nor anyone else can
furnish US an estimate in one day of
even one Of these plans, much less five.
Ihese plans have been in the city engi-
neer's office for a long time and we
have all had time to examine them
and see no reason for delay now.
A motion to ballot for the award of
the first prize was carried. The first
ballot was taken with the following re-
suit:
Irene 6, Arizona 5.
Mayor Drew declared the award of
the first prize to Irene" who was
found to be J. c. Holland & Co
When the hat was passed for the bal
lots for second prize COuncilmen Elliott
Benson, Blossom and Burgess baked
and refused to vote.
Councilman Elliott said: I'VE don't
want to vote. We won't vote for paint
and pictures. Go on with your voting -
The second ballot showed the following
CITY hall 8; Arizona, 1; Double Wreath
and Black Center. l.
Mayor Drew held that the four co17ncfl-
men would not be excused from voting
Mr.. Elliott will vote if YOU will ALLOW
me to make an explanation I don't he
l1eve that architects have been given a
fair show Mr. NetteIs and Mr. Warner
have been running IN to NJ EToils 1II's -
office and have dists4sd - tb I [ioIian1
don ike 1t and don't think that it is
Mr.. Nettels sprang to his feet instantly.
he was pale and his hands trenbIed with
excitement 4 demand proof of these
possible to keep the element of secrecy
my suggestion that the names Of the ar st19
chitects were not given I demand the
proof.
Mr.; EIHott-Wen. will you deny that
you have been there2
Mr. NetCels-I was there once last
week 1 went up to Mr.. Parker's office
70 look for my brother and stepped into
Mr. Hollands oftice to inquire If he was
there and think that is the only time I
have been in Mr.. Hollands office in two
years. do not propose to rest under
these imputatiOns.
Councilman Mergan-Since this charge
has been made want to say that I did