The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-08

S4CNSn COuLCllmen present ShSHta a
waiver OF the two-hour notice rule The
call specified IL o'clock as the hour for
meeting, but it was 11:15 when the
councilmen We're seated in the councli
chamber and the fight commenced.
The report of the ways and m. ans
committee recommending the passage Of
the Rohrer ordinance was read ana
Councilman Swendson moved its adop-
ton.
Councilmen Griley and Blossom fled
minority report, recommending tnat
the Continental franchise be recalled
from the committee.
The motion to adopt the favorable re-
port passed by a vote of to A. MI
Griley moved that the Continental
ordinance be recalled from the commit
tee and this also carried, in spite of ME-.
SwendSon's protests and points or or
der. Swendson claimed that the coun-
ell had no committee report on the Con-
tinental franchise, and could not con-
slider it,
PARLIAMENTARY TANGLE.
Councilman Griley moved that the
council proceed under suspension OF
rules to consider the Continental iran
chise, and on this motion the vote sIoou
for and 4 against. While Mayor Ser
gundthal was trying to decide Whether
seven votes were enough, uhoer tne
code, to suspend the rules, he came 70
the conclusion that GrileyS mouon u
suspend the rules was out OF ORDER
1T isn't necessary TO suspend tHe
rules" said the mayor. If the coun-
ell wants to take up this Cont1nental
franchise now, it can do so without Sus-
pending the rules The ordinance mss
already passed its first reading anu Il
back in the hands of the council for any
action desired"
You haven't any report from the
committee on this franchise and you
can't consider it," insisted Swenusoh
vehemently.
Councilman Weber lined up the forces
by moving that the council take up the
consideration of the Continental fran
chise. This was not going at an q
Councilman Swendson had planned, anu a.
he was considerably excited ABOUT -.
But Webers motion passed by a VI
of to A. Kutz, Neil, Nellis ana S"enu-
son being the opposition
SWENDSON'S LAST STAND
The reading of the Continental fran
chise commenced. and 1t was adopteu
section by section. On the last seclioI,
Councilman Swendson dug up buncn
of figures and made speech. ie So
he was opposed TO the Conunehlal
franchise because the company was
chartered in Arizona and because II
had realized only $4,000 from the sale
of $40 600 shares which have a par value
of 81 apiece. He said that the cOhll'eiHS
would only get $4,000 in cash out OF
it's 81 600 900 capital stock, and charged
that it was preposterous 10 suppo5e
that the proposed pipe line coulu pe
built FOR such sum.
III have to call you TO oruer MI !:
Swendson.v said the mayor. doh I
believe your remarks have anything 10
do with the section under conSloeIa-
ton I've been in the council Sood
while. and this is the first time l ever
heard a councilman question the imam
cial ability of a CORPORATION asking a
franchise. That is the company's bust
ness
to raise at this time replied Mr.
What's the capital stock of this
other company. and how much money
have they got?" demanded Councilman
Wolf of Councilman SWendSon-
you can take that up when the time
COMES" retorted Swendson.
The only amendment made to the or
dinance was one in section 10. reducing
the limit in which the company must
file its $1,000 bond and accept the fran
chise from 30 days to 10 days.
Just as the vote on the passage OF
the ordinance was about to be taken.
and it was pretty evident that II would
pass Councilman SWendson said:
I'D like to ask Mr.. Rohrer if he
would try to push his franchise ordi-
nance further in case the Continental
franchise is passed"
system of catechising. and it took
vote of the council to agree to let
Rohrer answer. In reply Rohrer said:
Il don't want a franchise if one is
granted to the Continental" He then
asked permission to tell why, but
Mayor Bergundthal shut him off by
ruling that he had answered the ques-
ton asked
Then the final vote on the ordinance
was taken with the result as has been
stated. Several councilmen in exDlain-
ing their votes said that they were in
favor of granting boCh franchises and
would vote for both of them.
ROHRER FRANCHISE NEXT.
Councilman Weber then moved that
the Pohrer franchise be taken up and
considered
IF the gentleman don't want an or
dinance I don't see the use in wasting
time passing this said Councilman
Griley.
Never mind" said Mayor Bergund-
thai in a fatherly tone, the gentleman
is here, and he hasn't made any objec-
ton to our considering this ordinance.
He may decide to take 1t. I'm in favor
of settling this whole business right
now.
So the ordinance was adopted section
by section. but when the final vote
came on its passage it was defeated,
though Councilman Swendson's vote
would have saved it.
The council adjourned at 2:30 this
morning. and walked home.