The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-11
Opposition to Submitting Water
works Proposition Vanishing.
People May Yet Vote on Pnr-
chase of Plant.
OBJECT TO CONDITIONS
Councilmen Don't Want Re-
newal Clause in Proposition.
The Election Will Probably Be
Called For Fall.

!. Councilmen Joseph Griley and w. F.
Weber, who have been most strenuous
in opposing the proposition to submit
the 100000 offer of the water company
for the sale of their plant to vote of
the people, said today that they would
be in favor of reconsidering the water,
works question at the next council
meeting, and Furthermore that If the
proposition to submit the proposed bond
issue to popular vote should be pre-
sented Internationally. they will vote
for 1t.
IF we could get the thing in definite
FORM" said Councilman Weber this
morning, Il would have no objection to
leaving the question of voting $620,0O0
bonds to vote of the people. But the
water company has not yet sign1f1ed
any Willingness to accept $62O.0O0 for the
plant, unless the city will contract to
renew the franchise provided the bonds
do not carry. The company will have to
put it down in black and white, so that
We will know exactly what we are do
ing"
Councilman Griley said: 81 would vote
to submit to the people a proposition to
purchase the water plant for $620,O00,
but we don't want anv conditions at
tached about renewing the franchise
Five of the seven councilmen who vo-
ted against the plan at the last meeting
having expressed an inclination or in
tention of voting for reconsideration
of the question, and in favor of submit
tinS tIe $bZU,UUU pfOpOSltlOn 10 the clty,
it seems almost certain that such action
will be taken at the next council meet
ing The five councilmen are Weber,
Griley, Wolf, Neil and Blanch.
If 1t is decided to submit this bond
proposition to the people of the city,
proceedings preliminary to the special
election will be taken under the law OF
1897 regulating the question of water,
electric light, gas ahd other municipal
franchises. SO
The election will in all proba bility be
called at the same date of the county
election this fall. Special ballots will be
prepared for residents of Topeka to use
in voting for!or against the bond propo-
sition.,
1t will also be necessary to have Pc
tition signed by two-fifths of the tax
payers of Topeka, asking the mayor to
call the special election.
A majority is required to vote the
bonds.
The laws relating to the issuance or
bonds and the calling of special election
for the purchase or erection of city wa
terworkS plants are rather different
from other laws on similar franchises
Under the 1897 law, the city can issue
bonds to purchase waterworks to the
amount of about s2.0O0.00O if necessary
The law provides, that the amount of
bonds shall not exceed 20 Der cent of
the assessed valus ton. and the assess
ed valuation is about $4,000 000
Concerning the calling of a special
election, the law is as follows:
''662. Election On presentation of a
petition signed by two-fifths of the
resident tax payers of any such city as
shown by the last assessment roll, the
acting mayor of such city shall issue g.
proclamation for city election to be
held. giving at least 80 days notice
thereof in a newspaper published and
of general circulation in said city, for
the purpose of submitting to the cleo
tors of such city proposition to issue
bonds of such city for any and all pur-
poses mentioned in the last two preced-
ing sections, and section twelve of this
act.
1853. Canvass. If upon canvass of
the returns of said election it shall ap-
pear that majority of the electors vot-
Ing at such election are in favor of
issuing said bonds the corporate au-
thority of the city shall issue the same
for the purpose and in the manner and
othe amount specified in this act"
J. w. O'Neill, manager of the Topeka
Water company. said today In speaking
of the proposition which the company
has submitted:
THE proposition of the water COM
pany was submitted in accordance with
the wishes of the city officials. 1t is of
advantage to the city to have this pro-
viso concerning the extension of the
franchise and a reduction of rates. That
was really put there to protect the city.
Otherwise, it would be possible for those
who oppose the purchase of the water
plant to say, If the bonds are defea ted.
the company can hold up the city by
IcluSlIlS ~ ItQuc0 TdleS w t are Will
ing to agree to a reduction in rates,
and renewal of the franchise, provid-
ed the bonds are beaten.
1T has not occurred to most people
that the company can reduce the water
rates, and the city if it owned the
plant could not. The cost of operating
the plant is about $4,000 a year. The
city would in addition have to pay in
interest and sinking fund $62, 900 year
The company has never made more thar
$62, 900 a year. Hence the city nus
maintain the present rates simply to
come out even.
The company is willing to extend its
mains, and would have made a great
many extensions during the present
season. but the city refuses to allow Us
to extend our mains an inch during
the continuance of the present contro-
versy.
Il believe the councilmen are all try
ing to be fair in this matter. but
think that they acted hastily in reject
ng the company's offer and deciding to
go to law
Mr.. O'Neills argument about the city
not being able to reduce rates in the
event it secures the plant Is amusing
There never has been a time for the
past fifteen years when the company
was not struggling to pay interest ant
an income on five or six times the value
of the plant. If the waterworks syster
in Topeka is a good thing for a pri
vate corporation there is no reason why
1t should not be q. good thing for the
city.
Fire in q Bank Building.