The Topeka state journal., 1902-07-22

Oh1 SSOl 1OlNE w LIN
AS was predicted in the State Journal
several days ago, the contract for curb
ing on Polk and Clay streets was taken
away from John Ritchie, and given to
Kepley e Webster. Ritchie was award
ed the contract two weeks ago for Bed
ford stone. but it was later ascertained
that Bedford stone is not a sandstone.
as required by the petition.
There was a hot fight made on this
proposition. Mr.. Ritchie sprung a sur
prise by offering to substitute Colorado
red sandstone for Bedford stone at the
same price. 43 cent per Hneal foot. The
Colorado stone is a very high grade
stone, which usually costs over 60 cents
per foot. One contract was awarded
this year for Colorado red sandstone at
63 cents.
There was a strong sentiment in favor
of giving the people this high grade
stone at such bargain prices but the
city attorney held that the proper legal
procedure was to award the contract to
kepley & Webster, the next lowest bid
der. On the test vote, the council stood
7 to in favor of the Kepley & Webster
bid.
KepIey & Webster will put in Fort
Scott stone at As cents. The only OBJ
lection to Fort Scott stone was that
chemical analysis by J. T. Lovewel
showed the Fort Scott stone to be not
true sandstone, though it contains 70
per cent of silica, or sand. The fact
that the stone has been commercially
CONSIDERED in the sandstone class saved
it from being rejected.
APPRAISEMENT REJECTED
The fight made by w. S. Bergundthal
against the opening of Morse street, on
the ground that the appraisers did not
allow him enough damages for por-
ton of a lot condemned for opening the
street, proved successful. The council
voted to sustain the report of the ju-
dietary committee. which was that the
appraisers report be rejected All the
Of
void on this 15-block benefit district
and Morse street will not be opened.
Mr.. Bergundthal was allowed SIPS for
part of his lot at Morse and Central av-
enue.
| The judiciary committee also reported
| that I. S Lauck had withdrawn his pro-
test against the report of appraisers for
opening Second street. Mr.. Lauck's
| gundthal, but he withdrew it rather
| than block the opening of the street.
| MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
The claim of Edward Thompson for 5000
his bicycle into wagon standing at Fifth
and Quincy streets. was rejected. City At
have examined this this claim me and uithe the city
should not pay one dollar of it: I advise
the parties be allowed to go ahead and
sue the city If they desire.
ciety, the bill of the city against the So
ciety of sl95 for use of. the Auditorium,
| was rem1tted- The society is trying to
raise money to buy pipe organ for the
Auditorium.
| James A Ramsey protested against the
construction of surface sewer at Sixth
| and West streets and against the removal
| of crossing plates at that point. The
| protest was referred to the streets and
walks committee.
W. Iitch filed a claim for $3.50 for work
done in cleaning watering troughs
A s. Kane was granted the use of the
| Auditorium for August l and for the
Banda Rosa concerts. Mr.. Kane was
| granted the privilege of putting electric
! fans in the Auditorium for those con-
certs-
Topeka Post G. A R. was granted the
| right to erect fagpole in front of its
| hall. Ill and 113 East Seventh street.
On recommendation of the judiciary COM
| mittee, the revision of the city ordinance
book was postponed until after the next
session Of the legislature.
The city engineer was instructed to as
certain the cost of building large grand
stand in City park.
On reconsideration, the council voted
to award the contract for paving East