The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-21
Still Ready to Meet Company
Half Way.
NOT TO BE CAUGHT.
Members Of City Government
Are Ready to Buy.
The Water Franchise Will
Never Be Extended.

pany, a New Jersey corporation, is to
be given new lease of life in Topeka,
they are mistaken.
No one wants to see two water
plants in Topeka, and neither do the
people who have the interests of the
city at heart want to stand by and
see the city held up If the water COM
pany insists that it must be in con-
troll of the water service of Topeka
for twenty years more, it may be neceS-
sary to build a new plant. The voters
and taxpayers of Topeka have instruct
ed the representatives of the city by an
overwhelming vote to acquire a water
plant in the name of the city, and the
method for carrying out the wishes OF
the people is simply incidental.
The city council has made an earnest
effort to meet the company half way,
but there has been no DISPOSITION to
treat with the council, and this tended
to confirm the suspicion that the water
company had something up it's sleeve
by which it hoped to keep a tight grip
on the city for twenty years more.
That the council is not weakening in
its position is indicated by the follow
ing opinions:
Councilman Elliott of the Third ward
said: I am in favor or buying the
water plant now owned by the Topeka
| Water company providing we can get
| it at a reasonable figure. If we can
not, then I am in favor of building a
| plant. Whatever we do we must de-
| eide upon soon, for If we are obliged
| to build it will require a long time to
| do the work. 1t appears that the water
| company is attempting to delay all
negotiations, and if they are successful
at the expiration of two years will
| simply say Give US a new charter or
pay our price for the plant Why
don't they make the city a proposition
If they are in a shape to do it, and they
say they are? I am glad the question
| is being agitated and am glad the Com
| mercial club has taken a part. I hope
it viii aid in solution of the question,
but the matter rests with the council,
and on them will fall the blame if the
question is not settled in a manner
that will be to the best interests of the
city.
IT do not see how the water com
pany, which understand is bonded for
81, ESQ 900, can turn the plant over to the
city unincumbered, providing they re-
ceive for it no more than it is worth,
which is certainly not one-haf of the
amount of the bonds. However that
is their business, and if We can get
the plant clear at a reasonable figure
I am in favor of buying it. The thing
for the council and all interested par
ties, and that means every citizen, to
do is to keep at the question until we
know where we stand"
Councilman Hughes said: ct am one
of the committee which is to deal with
the water company, and I believe the
matter can and will be settled satisfac-
company. Superintendent O'Neil had
written to President Street to come
here, and this afternoon he told me
he had wired after sending the letter.
I think that by the time the plans and
estimates for the new plant arrive,
which will be about July 1, we will be
in shape to present TWO propositions
to the council: the building of a new
plant and a definite proposition from
| the water company. 1 want to see the
matter settled definitely soon either by
buying, building or extending the fran
| Chise"
Councilman CLANCY said in reply to
the question do you favor a renewal
of the franchise of the water COM
pany?" Il certainly do not. I am OPP
posed to any more delay in the mat
ter. and want to see the question set
tied as quickly as possible 1 am II
favor of the city buying or building.
Il the city decides to buy the question
of what will become of the water COM
Pany bonds is not one that should
worrs1 the cOuncil-the company can
take care of that. If the city decides
to build I do not anticipate any trouble
in selling the bonds the city has voted
for that purpose The question should
be settled before it is too late for the
city to take an independent stand, and
it will be at the mercy of the water
company unless the matter is soon ad-
> justed."
Councilman Weber is not in favor OF
/ extending the franchise. He remarked:
Il think the city should buy or build
, and I prefer buying if the company will
, sell the property at what it is worth
r The disadvantage in building is that
the streets will be torn up for a long
, time, and the trouble of putting new
pipes and hydrants in property is an
other drawback OF course if the city
put in a plant it would be a, much bet
| ter plant than the one here now. The
larger pipes would be in the right
. place, something that the present plan
/ in no ha
= after the pipes were laid. The presen
g plant was built for a town of $1,000 peo-
pie; what we want now is plant fol
. $4,000 people. I favored the motion IL
r the council to appoint a committee Il
: confer with the water company and
believe the mayor appointed the RICH
a men. If the company makes a propo
q SitiOn to these men or does any bust
ness with them their word will be goo(
in court, whereas with only one MAJ
talking to a representative of the com
pany one mans word is as good a.
;, anOther's. We have had an experiene,
:, of reported statements which have beef
denied and the committee will do ava,
: with that and thus facilitate business
: Il do not believe in hurrying toe
much. and do not want to see any
= thing done that will be unfair, but W
Z must not delay and must have som
~ understanding soon. The Commercial
= club is all right in taking hold of tn
:. matter and we viii be thankful for an,
~ help they can give u.s. as it is tn
greatest question that has ever com
before the city of Topeka. If we cal
get positive assurance that we eel
get the water plant free from incum
u brance and at a reasonable figure
= would be in favor of waiting tW
II years, but if we cannot have that as
8 surance soon am in favor of build
g ing"
A Wealth of Beauty.
Is often hidden hxr nnSichtlV Piu101a,