The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-06

7
ton in rates, extension of mains and
opportunity to purchase every tenth /
year We don't care how you arrive a
the value of the plant just so it is fair
to all OF US Another thing which in
1uences US TO want peace is so that the
city can pay us that SIS 000 which it
owes as water rentals. There is no
dispute about that bill. and we would
like to have the money"
1Ir. Street also stated that the stock
holders of the Topeka Water company
are now ia physical possession of q
majority of the stock of the company,
and that whatever they say in regard
to a sale goes. He said that if the city
voted to buy the plant. the title could
now be cleared up within very short
time.
Many of the eouncilmen asked Mr..
Street questions which he answered
with great skill and diplomacy.
Suppose we make no agreement with
you now" said one councilman, and
suppose the bonds failed. Would you
be willing to renew this offer you have
7 don't know" said Mr.. street.
but I am always for peace, you I'M
derstand."
The Inference was that the offers
would be renewed on the same condi-
tons proposed now; viz, that the COM
pany's franchise be recognized as valid.
why do you want us to take action
now p" queried City Attorney Spencer.
this time to make these propositions? ~
II came out here at the request of the
mayor" said Mr. Street II am not
very particular for you TO take action
now. l judged that the city wanted to
+ be in a position to show the people of
/ Topeka what would be the alternative
of not buying the plant I was inform
/ ed that the city wanted to know just
3 what concessions the company would
make in case the bonds should be de-
feated Besides, this seems to me to
be an opportune time to settle all these
matters"
I times" said Mayor Parker, ito make
us an alternative proposition. I can't
see why this isn't simple matter
know that it would have a great deal
Of weight with me if I knew the com
pany would reduce rates 20 per cent"
T Mr.. Street left the council in 2 very
funny dilemma- If he was anxious to
sell the plant, why did he offer to make
"A reduction in rates which would tend
to defeat the city ownership scheme2
/ Or, if he does not want to sell the
plant, isn't it good sign that the
plant is worth more than S62O,0o0, and
would prove an excellent investment
for the city? This was the question
which puzzled those members of the
council who think the price of the
plant is too high.
City Attorney Spencer was evidently
Z opposed to accepting the proposed con-
! cessiOns at the price specified.
You ask us to buy peace he said to
AIr. Street, at the price Of tying our
selves up for another twenty years TO
that franchise which has just expired.
You talk about regulating rates. I say
that a city can't regulate rates of cor
porations. The corporations file no re-
ports. or If they do file them they are
not worth anything And then when
You go to mixing up with hydraulic or
gas engineers. we'll. you might just as
Wen quit for tell you you're up
against it, I know how that is
Mr.. Spencer spoke with great feeling,
for he is just now mixed with the gas
company rate case and finds it very
hard Shedding.
As nearly as could be gathered from
the remarks made by various council
men, the active opponents Of Mr..
( Streets propositions are Weber, Griley,
Wolf, Nichols, Neil and Snyder. Ber-
gundthal and Blanch seemed to be "a c0~
er Wavering, while SWendson, Blossom.
Howe and Tincher will probably favor
+ the measure. But cOuncilmen have a
way of changing their minds. especially
on the question of city ownership OF
waterworks.
City Attorney Spencer stated to the
members of the council that Judge Nc
Fariand had prepared an opinion on the
legal phases Of the WaterWorks case,
and that as city attorney he was pre-
pairing a statement of his views to ac-
7 company them, and when the two were
ready a copy would be presented to
( opinions are intended to brace up those
members who are inclined to show their
teeth at the water cOmpany's PROPOSE
tons. Mr.. Spencer and Mr.. Mcfarland
both think the city could win that law
suit
The meeting adjourned without any
action If no meeting is held until Feb
ruary it really viii not make much diff
ference from financial standpoint to
the people of Topeka whether rates are
reduced before election or after, as the
election occurs on April z.
President Street expects to leave for
New York today J. w. O'Neill receiver
of the water company, says: 1T is all
up to the city council now. They know
exactly what Mr. Street viii do, and
they must decide what they WANT
Topeka is about to grant another 20
year franchise. This time it is to q
new "desiccating' company, which pro-
poses to erect a $40. 600 0doriess estab b.
lishment which will convert into fertil-
izer and other mar1eta bic products al
manner Of refuse from ashes and deao
leaves TO kitchen slop and the contents
of cesspOOls.
A glowing report OF a special commit
tee of the city council which went tC
Nlncennes, Ind. recently to investigate
the plant there was read to the council
t last night This committee, consisting
. OF COuncllmen Nichols. GTiIey and Wolf
t recommended fatty that the council
{ grant the company a 20-year franchise
An ordinance authorizing the council
? 70 enter into a 20-year contract with
{ the firm was introduced. read and re-
/ ferred to a special committee consist
e ing Of Councilman Tincher, Griley
Nichols Neil Weber and Howe
e II the Investigating committee is cor
q rect in its opinion as to the success o.
r the proposed system of disposing o.
! garbage the city should not hesitate
. moment to enter into the proposed con
tract The only question is. has the
s committee been misled? The city has
f SO often been fooled by fair promise:
] 81 garbage plant promoters that i
t should act with the greatest care an6
\ 20-year contract
= topeka now has seven-year contrac
with a so-called desiccating compan.
winch is disgrace to the town Thi
company agreed and contracted to dis