The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-06
STREET DODGES,
Water Company Wants Another
Engineer Selected.

The water company is lodging and it
is evident that they want to delay the
settlement of the question as long as
they possibly can. When the reports
Of the hydraulic engineers were made
the difference was so great that the
council decided that the only way they
could bring about a quick settlement
was to ask the company to set a price
on the plant
Mayor Drew wrote to President Street
OF the water company, asking him to set
a price, and received a letter in reply
stating that he would call the board of
directors together and decide upon what
should be done
Today the mayor received the follow
ing letter, which explains itself:
c, j. Drew, Mayor City of Topeka,
Kansas:
Dear sir-Your letter of November
70, containing report of the waterworks
committee, was today referred to the
board of directors of the Topeka Water
company.
1T is a matter of surprise to them
that there is such a wide difference in
the reports of the engineers as to the
equitable value of the property. You
will remember that on July the agree
ment made with the WatefWorkS COM
nlittee was that two competent hydrau-
lie engineers We're to be selected for
the purpose of making a disinterested
report as to the fair and equitable value
of the property
I'm order to carry out the agreement,
we appointed, as you know, Mr. John A.
Cole, of Chicago, who has had wide
experience in matters of this kind, and
forwarded him a copy of the memo
randum Of agreement above referred
to. As it was the express intention of
both parties to the agreement of July
that a 'diSintereSted report should be
made we were careful to have no COM
mn IN 0a mn Mr. WI q
at work in Topeka, and the report which
he forwarded to US and to your COM
mittee simultaneously was the first IN
timatiOn we had of his findings or of the
manner in which he appraised the prop
erty. The directors feel strongly that
they should not be called upon to set
an arbitrary value on the property, as
they are acting as trustees for a large
number of individuals who are in the
company. 1t is their desire, however, TO
cooperate with you and to carry out
both the spirit and the letter of the
agreement of July z.
I'm view of the fact that the apprais-
ers have agreed upon the cost of the
duplication, they think that 1t would De
wise to take some steps for the appoint
ment of a further Independent arbl-
traitor to sse if the differences between
Messrs. Follett and Cole cannot be ad-
justed.
IF the directors had been called upon
TO suggest a method of appraiSement,
different method of procedure. but as
they do not wish to obStruct the pro-
ceedings they are inclined to waive any
technical objections and to accept the
method decided upon by Messrs- Follett
and Cole. They think that these ap-
praisers should be instructed to meet
once more and see if they cannot mu-
tually agree upon the nomination Of
some disinterested party. with whom
they can discuss the points of difference
and SO literally carry out the agreement
of July 7. The only conditions they in
cline to impose are that 'disinterested,'
competent hydraulic engineer shall be
selected.
IF this course meets with your ap-
proval, shall be glad to meet with the
waterworks committee, at an early day,
and discuss the details of such an agree
ment.
LAS you are aware, the company has
for a long time desired to to extend it's
mains into districts which are not now
served. The unfortunate, legal complica-
tions in which we have been involved,
and the desire on the part of the city to
acquire the plant have both prevented
our carrying out this policy. The direc-
tors recognize the Importance of arriy-
ing at a definite conclusion in these
matters as speedily as possible, and I
beg to assure you of my cooperation
Respectfully yours,
TOPEKA WATER co,
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