The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-23
Water Company Shows Dispo-
sition to Concede Point.
Proposition will Be, Submitted
Without Strings.
THE PEOPLE MAY VOTE
Question Will Be Simply on the
Purchase.
President Street Appears Anx.
ious to Come to Agreement.


President Chas. F. Street of the Topeka
Water company have resulted in the
agreement of the water companv to
waive the conditions which it proposed
on the sale of the water plant for $780,
600. and that if the council is of the
same opinion it was a few weeks ago
when the question was up. the people
of the city will at no distant date be
given chance to vote for or against
the issuance of $500, 600 in bonds to pay
for the waterworks plant
r Il believe that we Will have no diff
Guilty in reaching an agreement with
the water company" said Mayor Par
ker today, provided of course that the
members of the council feel about the
matter as thev seemed to feel when
the question was last discussed. Per-
sonally, have no vote In the final set
tlement of the case. and it is for the
council to say what will be done"
At the council meeting called for
Wednesday evening. President Street
will be present. and will discuss with
the council the various questions which
have been raised concerning the sale of
the property. He will answer any ques-
tions which councilmen may have to
ask, and will endeavor to smooth out
the tangles which have. In the minds Of
some of the councilmen. impeded set
tlement.
When asked today to confirm or deny
the statement that the companv has
reached an agreement with Mayor Par
ker concerning the waivins of the con-
ditions proposed. Mr.. Street said:
Il have nothing to say. You will have
to quote Mayor Parker as authority
for that statement" 81
era1, but the principal one was that the
city should enter into contract with
the water COMPANY that in case the
porposal to issue bonds in the amount
- \ [ns - kt~-k -
council would grant to the water COM
pany renewal of the franchise at a
reduced schedule of water rates.
1t was this condition to which some of
that it was a trap to catch the city.
and make the company sure of new
franchise.
In speaking of this proposed condition
President Street said: That condition
was proposed at the request Of some of
the city officials. We simply wanted
some sort of an agreement as to the fu-
ture of the company In case the city re-
fused to buy the plant ror the sum pro-
posed. The city has wanted reduction
OF rates, and under this agreement, they
would get a reduction in case the bonds
failed to carry. The company, on it's part
wanted assurance that the city would
not carry out its threat, in case OF the
defeat of the bonds, to bring a suit and
try to drive the company out of the city
by force. believe that the people of
Topeka are tired of this long delay,
and want to have he question settled
in some way.
IT do not regard the conditions of
great Importance. They were proposed.
as say, partially because the city
wanted some sort of an agreement, and
partly because it's way people have
when they are making a trade
| Mayor Parker stated today that in
case the council and the water company
should agree the first thing to do would
ho 6o 1or 90 inc no
company to be foreclosed through the
i United States courts. This would be es-
sential in order that the company might
give clear title to the plant. 1t might
shape to turn over to the city. 1t is not
believed, however, that this would
necessitate a delay in the bond elec-
| ton.
difficult to get the necessary petition OF
two-f -f1fths of the taxpayers of the City to
a call for bond election. HI says
that the petition prepared for the for
| mer bond election was invalid because
it was signed by those who were not
| taxpayers, and also was signed in some
cases by parties claiming to represent
other parties, but who had no legal
right to sign.
There is nothing to prevent holding
a council meeting this evening and set
| tling the matter. as far as the willing
ness and readiness of President Street
| anu Mayor faTkeI are COliCcTIeu Liz
only thing in the way is the fact that
the council adjourned to meet Wednes-
day night, because tonight the circus Is
in town. and it was feared this might
interfere with the meeting.
| 1t is to be hoped that the council will
hold it's session with open doors. Peo.
pie are anxious to know what President
| Street has to say in explaining the
many obstacles which have been urged
by some of the councilman to defeat the
proposed plan to submit the $500, ,00t
proposition to a vote of the people Of
Topeka.