The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-25

property sold for 3620, 600 and the rates
same. could the city make s per cent.
on the investment? You may not care
to answer that question"
Mr. Street: "I'll answer it. and say,
Mr.. Deviin: would the company take
any of our bonds in payment for the
plant?"
would take them ALL
ought to settle it. # the city can do
that. it should not hesitate five min
utes That is what would do as an
individual. and so I believe the city
should do the same"
| Councilman Weber: But it would
cost the city sSooooo by the time the
extensions are built. =
Mr.. Devlin: We'll, you can make
revenue out of the extensions. and Inn
prove the city"
Councilman Weber: I'VE want to re-
duce the rates for water.
Mr.. Devlin: That's all right but It
we can have more water and better
water at the same rate we are ahead"
E. II. Crosby: Il believe the bonds
5 per cent. That would be only 5000
don't see why this isn't a good busi-
ness proposition at $620.000'
! Councilman Weber: If the company
would reduce the rates 25 per cent.
wouldn't that be better than for us to
cwn tie plant ?"
Mr.. Crosby: IF the company is salts
fed with the profit after a rs per cent
reduction, it ought to satisfy the city
/ too.
Councilman Wolf: Can the city OPP
siste the plant as economically as a
private concern %
| Mr.. Crosby: 1T can if you keep it out
of politics.
Councilman Bergundthal: st am OPP
posed to accepting rs per cent. reduce
ton from the company Topeka's water
rate is so cents per LOCO gallons. and
many small Kansas towns with city
ownership pay only 20 or 80 cents. I
can't see why Topeka with four or five
times the earning capacity can not re-
duce the rates more than 25 per cent"
/ Councilman Griley: IT would like to
! ask the city attorney whether the de-
standing in court in this matter"
The city attorney did not reply to
this query.
NJ Snattinger: II believe that to do
ought to permit the city to assure itself
from the books that the city can come
out square by paying 100000. Why not
let our attorneys inspect the books, and
report to the council?"
| Mr. Street: ''I told Mr. Parker and
Mr.. Spencer that we would give them
q statement in confidence of our earn
ings, but they refused to permit It, In
| view of the fact that one gentleman
here (Mr Griley) has asked this evening
il the defeat of the bonds would pref
udice the city in court, it is evident that
the future is not sure We can not
afford to give information which might
be used against u.s.
8. Barnum: IT agree with Mr. Snat-
finger that we should be allowed to see
the company's books. If there is any
1T would be better to let the present
company continue to operate it at a re-
dueed schedule of rates"
prehension about this reduction any Of ratss
l Will say that reduction of Is per cent
would be impossible. Your. ordinance
which was passed was practically a 20
per cent reduction and that is what we
| were figuring on"
duction increase the number of con-
large in figures. it does not really amount
to much in years water BILL I do not
ence in the number of consumers
Charles Violin: II am in favor of own
ing the waterworks if they can be bought
Oscar Bischoff: IT favor city OWNERSHIP,
but | would like to know what the gross
mum. I don't care about the net earnings.
can figure that out 1 think 1 would
want to know about the earnings before
Mr.. Street: It willing, and have
no doubt that shall be willing to give this
fetal II we were at peace. without half
dozen lawsuits lowering about, we could
tdlh dDoul Sucn. lnluSS more freely.
Mr.. Jewell Il should like to know
whether the city engineer has made an
estimate on the amount of expense In
volved in extending these mains Every
citizen will demand water and will be en-
titled to it"
No one was able to give this information
and Councilman SwendSon introduced the
following resolution:
BE it resolved by the mayor and council
that we do hereby signify our Willingness
to submit to the voters of the city a prop
osition to purchase the plant of the water
company at 100000 provided the water
company can, viii and do guarantee us
that they will accept such amount If car
ried by vote of the people,"
Mr. Swendson moved the adoption of this
resolution and Councilman Tmcher second
ed the motion. The mayor was about to
call for vote, which would undoubtedly
have been almost or quite unanimous, for
the resolution, when Mr.. Street said that
the wording OF the last part of the reso-
luton would hardly do
Il can't absolutely guarantee that the
company will do this" said Mr.. Street. Il
have not the authority to speak for all the
Istockholders.~I do not anticipate the slight
est trouble, but can't guarantee what
will be DONE"
Councilman Bergundthal asked how long
it would take to get the question settled.
Il can get the formal consent of three
fourths of the stockholders in 80 days.
said Mr. Street, but to adjust all the :e-
gal problems and be in a position to alb
solutely guarantee that the deal can be
made will take about six months.
4 Here City Attorney Spencer said: Il
want to warn the council that 1t is tread
ing upon dangerous ground in passing that
resolution. I have consulted with Judge
Mcfarland and he thinks the resolution
should not be passed tonight. There are