The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-19

hamton. N. Y. The 81. sEzEsaD
regular fifty cent and Home Of sWamp-Roos.
dollar sizes are sold by all good druggists
representatives of the water company
and find out the exact status of affairs.
Mr. John E Frost think the mayor,
city attorney and members of the cOun-
ell should be invited to meet with the
club and discuss this matter. I move
that the invita- ton be extended for next
Monday night.
Mr.. Frost's motion carried unani-
m0usly.
Mr. H. NJ Phillips suggested that rep
reSentatives Of the WaterWOrkS COM
pany be also invited. but President Hol-
man declared it would not be best to
mix 'oil and water"
Mr.. Chas. Elliott then moved that
a committee of ten. to be composed
Of lawyers and business men, be ap-
pointed to take charge of the matter.
Pending action on this motion Mr.. W.
C Stephenson said. 7 think this
question IS a matter principally OF legal
procedure have had considerab bic ex-
perience with the waterwOrks company
and don't believe any effort to COM
promise with the company Will be sue
cessful."
Judge T F Garver-This club mustn't
make the mistake of the city council
and go too far I think the water
works company has a perfect right to
fold its arms at least until September.
1901 The fact is. the water company
has nothing to sell 7 believe the com.
pany is bonded for about twice what
the plant IS worth The fact that the
city is going to some expense looking
to the construction of a new plant is
The question to be considered at this
time, according to my mind I agree
with Mr. Bird that the contract is
void insofar as an extension is con-
cerned, but I am confident that the
present plant can be condemned The
important thing now IS not what We
can do but what We ought 10 do.
Mr.. JOab Mulvan@ThiS matter has
a practical phase that touches all Of
US The fact that We have a contract
for twenty years is not disputed The
twenty years has not yet expired The
company has rights, and We are bound
to respect them. Il il is unwilling to
sell the plant until the expiration of
this franchise I know of no way that
We can compel IL to. The city govern
ment has assumed the right TO build
another plant. which is an utter i'm
possibility. and I want to say why. If
there was money in the treasury TO
build the plant it could not be used
because the present company would
undoubtedly tie the city up in litiga-
ton. But there is no money in the
treasury. Instead We have voted bonds.
/ Practical work cannot be carried on
with bonds You must have money.
What man here tonight would hazard
his money in bonds under these circun-
stances? I wouldn't What stranger
/ could be induced to hazard money!
| You absolutely cant float YOUR bonds.
: The waterwOrks that the city of To-
/ peka viii own Will be the present water
| works if the city ever owns a plant.
1 1t is my judgment that the water prob
I lem has been a toy in politics to the
/ exnense Of US fellows who pay the
/ taxes. We are frittering money away
/ employing experts and having plans
/ made. ] believe We ought to wait untn
I the franchise expires, when we can ac-
1 quire the plant under the provisions of
/ the ordinance The building Of a new
/ plant IS utterl- impossible and i'm
I practicable I believe the city council
wants to do what IS right and 1 think
/ the company would II 1t was not that
/ they have nothing to sell, and simply
mean TO milk the cow until the ex-
/ piratiOn of the franchise.
[ Mr.. Edward Wilder-I agree heartily
with what Judge Carver has said
/ and what Mr.. MulVane has said, be-
/ cause think they have struck the nail
( on the head I think the city council
/ and the water company have been
/ fighting so long that like the boy at
/ school either side would now rather
/ fight than eat" believe if it was not
( for the attitude Of the city the COM
/ pany would long ago have extended
/ their mains to the dry districts. There
Is unfortunately a feeling among a
in a corporation which furnishes some
/ thing for public use are robbers and
thieves and must be crushed out Of
/ existence This desire for the con-
/ fscation and ownership Of public utili-
ties is something am not in sympathy
/ with I think it would have been faI
better for all parties concerned if the
water company had been handled diff
ferentIy I think this club should pro
/ test against the attempt to float halt
I million Of bonds. which as Mr.. Mulvane
mas said could never in the world be
placed with honest investors We cam
/ deal with the present water company
as long as we talk of building another
company and the courts viii construe
it I would join any party or partie:
and put up money to stop this move
to put up new plant. Let us try L
treat with the water company. and L
we find that the company viii not D.
reasonable, then II will be time enough
to look TO the courts
Mr. Frank F. MacI.ennan-I think al
I important duty Of this club is to con
fer with the mayor and city council
! The whole responsibility Of this matte
( viii rest on the mayor and council
and in consequence why not let thi
matter go until next Monday nigh
when we viii meet the city authorities
I have grave doubts as to the practi
/ ability or feasibility Of building a nev
plant at this time, but as a matter Q
courtesy I believe we should hear til
Mr. EIIi0tt's molten that the appoint
ment Of this committee be deferred.
The substitute to the motion va
; I a