The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-27
Lower The RATES
Water Company May Reduce
Thcm Pending Purchase.
Once Established They Would
Have to Stand.
FOR. CITY OWNERSHIP.

FOR. CITY OWNERSHIP.
Plans Already Under Consider
alton for Operation Of Plant.
Lincoln Plan May Be Adopted
in Topeka.
There is new phase to the water
works negotiations. The city is trying
to induce the water company to agree
to an immediate reduction in the water
rates, pending the conclusion of the ne
gotiations for the purchase of the water
plant.
AS counter proposition. it is under
stood that the water company is very
desirous of having the city pay over the
$4,000 which the city owes as hydrant
has refused to pay because of the pend
ing litigation.
1t is claimed by some of the city off,
Gals that the process of clearing up the
OF mortgages, communicating with
stockholders, VIII be much longer pro-
cess than is generally anticipated, and
that even with harmonious action and
d
or more until the difficulties are all re-
moved. They assert that during that
interval the company should make that
promised reduction of 20 per cent. in the
water rates.
If the company consents to make this
reduction in rates, it is likely to have an
important bearing on the future. "Once
put the water rates down." said a city
official today, "and they will never go
up again." This is equally true whether
the city gets the plant or the company
gets renewal of the franchise. 1t
might be that reduction in the water
rates at this time would be decidedly in
furious to the city in case it should buy
the. plant. The city might desire to
maintain the DreAent rates for few
years until the financial outlook of the
enterprise IS assured. but If the reduc-
ton is made now it would have to
stand
On the other hand, in case the bonds
should be defeated, the company would
not be able to restore its old rates, and
regardless of what difficulties might
epsue regarding renewal of the fran
chise, the people would be getting water
at more reasonable rates.
There are some who believe that the
scheme to force the company to make
an immediate reduction In rates is orig
mated by those who desire to defeat the
present negotiations, and induce the
c1ty to try to force terms upon the COIN
pany Which 1T will not accept and
thereby block the whole scheme of city
ownership by compromise with the
water company While President Stree.
was here, he frankly stated that he be-
Heyed there were certain parties work
ing against him solely for the purpose
of prolonging the litigation and keeping
the matter before the people as polit;-
cal issue. 1t would be unfortunate to
have anything occur at this time to in
terfere with the progress of the negotia-
tfons, Which now are in such fair way
of success.
MAY RETAIN JESSE SHAW.
Already the city hall prophets are be-
ginning to discuss the probable course
of the city in case it gets possession of
the water plant.
that the city council will authorize the
creating of board of water commits
| sioners to have general charge of the
water plant and water rates. This board
may be selected from the council. or it
may be made up of outsiders. Mayor
Parker says that he thinks that if such
board Is created it should be made up
of well known business men who are
willing to give the city their services
for the public good in getting the work
al the plant properly organized. Mayor
Parker also thinks that the present
management of the waterworks plant
is good, and should as far as possible
be allowed to continue At present, the
| waterworks is. of course. manned by a
non partisan force of employees
Jesse Shaw, the present superintend-
ent, seems to have many friends who
want to see him left in charge of the
waterworks department in case the city
gets the plant He thoroughly under
stands the plant, and has excellent
qualifications for the place
| 1t will probably be necessary to pay wa
ter commissioners small salary probably
about the same as members of the city
council. which is $3.50 year 1t may be
necessary to also have a secretary for
the board The high salaried position of
q md ffaa
city would save several thousand dollars
year in this particular over the private
corporation. Aside from these changes
there is apparently no reason why the
present force at the plant should not re-
In Kansas City there are four water
commissioners, secretary, a superintend-
ent and his. chief clerk an engineer. an
assessor and water rate collector and his
chief clerk.
In Newark. N. J., the water plant and
der board of five members. This
board has its own attorney and clerk, it's
gineer in the water department and engi-
neer in the streets and sewers department.
Pittsburg; Pa. has bureau Of water
rates. each bureau having a superintend-
ent and clerk.
and conditions of Topeka than any other,
| has water commissioner. appointed by
sioner, whose duties in his department are
similar to those of the street commission
under the Immediate direction Of the wa
| terworks committee of the city council
as the street commissioner is under the
direction of the streets and wa1ks commit
| tee in this city. 1t is not unlikely that
the Lincoln scheme would be the most
| Tea sible for the city of Topeka 1t would
| be less cumbersome than board Of water
| commissioners, and would leave the wa
terworks more under the immediate con-
| troll of the city council
A New Rose Window.
| New York. Sept. q Dean Bradley's
closing function at Westminster Abbey