The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-05
Company Applies For Fran
chise in Topeka.
Would Build C0nduits and Sup
ply 1t For Power.
PLAN Is A NEW ONE
Compressed Air Has Long Been
in Use, However.
Mystery Surrounds Man Who
Wants the Franchise.

cealed mas applied to the city COUNCIL
through his attorney, A. =. Sherman, for
a 20-year franchise to build and main
tain system of underground conduits
IN Topeka for the purpose of supplying
compressed air for commercial purposes
This is an enterprise which is, SO far
as known, the only one OF its kind ever
proposed. There may be cities which
have compressed air mains which can
be tapped to run every sort of ma
presses, but If there are, their identity
is not known to the hackers of the
proposed Topeka enterprise.
AT the Santa E'e railway shops here,
and at many other large n manufacturing
establishments, compressed air is piped
about the grounds and buildings and
used to run machinery But the plan
of d. livering "red hot compressed air
a mile or two from the place where it
has been squeezed, as is contemplated
by the man who wants a franchise In
Topeka, is decidedly new and unique.
The proposed franchise ordinance was
introduced before the city council last
night by Councilman Griley and was
referred to the streets and walks conn.,
mitee, which will meet next Friday at
ternoOn to consider it. The ordinance is
entitled IAN ordinance granting permits
sion for the construction of conduits in
the city of Topeka, county of Shawnee,
state of Kansas, for the conveyance OF
compressed air, and other PURPOSES
Section l of the ordinance is: That
A. r. Sherman and his associates are
hereby authorized to use the streets.
lanes alleys and public grounds of said
city for the purpose of constructing
hereunder conduits for the conveyance
of compressed air, and other purposes,
in and through said city"
The ordinance is very short, occupy
ing less than half a page of typewriter
matter. Section provides that all in
juries to the streets shall be made
good: section 8 limits the life of the
franchise to 20 years; section 3 says
that work must be commenced within IL
months; and section is the publication
clause.
Councilman Griley, who introduced
the ordinance, says he knows nothing
about it, and simply presented the mat
ter by request.
A. F. Sherman. who with associates"
asks for the license. was seen this
morning by reporter for the State
Journal He said:
II have applied for this franchise for
client of mine who thinks he has a
scheme by which compressed air can
be carried about the city in conduits,
and used as cheap motive power. He is
not Topeka man. but he has been
working in the compressed air line for
some time. and now he wants to apply
his invention think the council ought
to give him chance to try to introduce
the thing here.
Il am not familiar with the details OF
council grants the franchise a company
will be organized and steps at once
taken to put in the plant. My client be-
Heves he has good thing, and all he
test. This will be the first attempt he
has made to install the compressed air
plan on large scale. AS far as we
know. there is no other city in the
United States where such a project has
been attempted.
Il don't imagine that this will be a
very big concern at first because it is
just starting out and will have to be
conservative, but the man who applies
for the franchise has plenty Of money.
ana can carry his ideas out. 1t will be
a great thing for Topeka if it proves to
be success, for it will supply the town
with very cheap power"
Mr.. Sherman was asked whether or
not Archie M. Baird of North Topeka.
the we'll known inventor of numerous
compressed air devices, is interested in
the proposed plan for putting in a sys-
tenn of compressed air conduits and
said that Mr. Baird was not the man
who is applying for the franchise
Il suppose that if the council insists
upon it will have to give the names Of
this man." said Mr.. Sherman. but for
the present I prefer to keep his identity
concealed"
1t Is improbable that the council will
grant a franchise to this proposed COM
pressed air company without knowing con-
S.cCi dbls iIiOIS dpOul Tie SCHEME ana ABOUT
the people who are interested in it. Tope-
"a has been hood winked SO frequently on
franchise deals that some of the council
men are beginning to learn by experience.
1t is also improbable that any franchise
ordinance In the form proposed will be ac-
ceptable. 1t will have to be more definite
and certain; fix time for the operation
of the plant, provide a forfeit in case the
company does not carry out the terms of
the franchise and arrange a number of
important details concerning construction
rates to be charged. disposal of the plant
at the expiration OF the franchise and nu-
merous other matters.
But If the scheme is carried out it will
be very interesting industry and will give
Topeka something which nobody else has
Why shouldn't Topeka housekeepers sweep
their houses with compressed air, as the
Santa Fe does its passenger coaches? Why
shouldn't Topeka blacksmiths do their
hammering with pneumatic hammers ?Per-
haps the new company will arrange to
deliver mail In pneumatic tubes. as is done
in New York. There are all sorts of new
and interesting things in sight. provided
the council sees fit to grant the proposed
franchise.