The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-21

Il know they say that I am presi-
dent of the gas company" said Eir.
Holiday today. 1T is true that 1 am
nOminally president of that company.
and own one share of stock. have
about as much interest in the gas
company as Mr.. Snyder, my opponent,
has in the Street Railway company.
When I cross the threshold of the
council chamber as q, member, if I ever
do. it will be for the purpose of repre-
senting the people Of Topeka, and not
the gas company, or any other COM
pany.
Il believe that this is very critical
time in the history Of Topeka. Some
thing must be done Immediately for
the welfare of the town. l don't like
TO see our bright voung men going 20
Kansas City and other places to make
their fortunes. If l get into the coun-
ell, it will be my highest ambition to
do something to make Topeka grow
Il want to see the city go after nat
ural gas or oil. Nothing would please
me better than to hear that they had
struck big flow of gas over there at
Shorey, that it blew their drill so high
that it never came down. 1t would
help the town. It might bust up a cou-
pie of Topeka corporations, one of
which is the manufactured gas COM
pany. But it would make Topeka
city of $4,000 people. We have the
foundation here for a town of that size,
but we must wake up and go after
things, instead of standing still. be-
lieve we have as much oil and gas I'M
der this town as they have at Chanute.
1t Will cost some money to find it. The
city should drill fifty holes, if neces-
sary. to settle the question. Down
there at Chanute they are offering free
sites, free power and free light to ev-
cry manufacturing concern which will
locate there. Topeka can't go up
against that kind of competition and
retain its prestige. We must advance
Now I want to tell you something
about this gas company Of which 1 am
president. The courts have practically
settled that $1-0O is too low a rate to
expect; the company can't make gas
at that rate. But 1 believe the COM
pany will compromise and cut the rate
from S1.65 to $1.25, if this litigation can
be stopped. Then something will hap
pen. The gas company will extend its
mains down into the Second ward, out
TO Washburn college, and into every
part of town where there is no gas. 1t
will practically rebuild its plant; even
now it is running that plant to the
limit Of it's capacity. complete re-
construction will be necessary. All this
means thousands of dollars expended
here for labor. Work for the laboring
man is what counts. The company
wants to extend it's territory. and peo-
pie are anxious to put in these gas
stoves which are such great saving,
especially in the hot summer months.
1t can't expand its system without
spending thousands of dollars here for
labor.
II am IN favor of closing up this
waterWorBs deal as quickly as possible
taking possession of the plant, and eX-
tending those water mains to the dry
districts. That means more labor fol
the working man. Keep things hust-
ling; give every working man plenty
to do at good wages, and the town viii
prOSSo--
This business of issuing bonds to pay
running expenses, and issuing refund
ing bonds for future generations to pay
isn't my style When the city spends
money I want it to get something il
return.
IF the people of the Second ware
want 10 elect me to the council I be
lieve I can do them some good. dom
claim to have anybodY's vote 'sewet
up and I realize that it will be a hare
fight. When a man goes after an Office
I believe he owes it to the people whom
he expects to vote for him to get on
and talk to them. That is what I an
going to do / want to find out wha
people in the Second ward want. anC
act accordingly when 1 get into thi
council. The city central committee il
going to give me all the assistance i
can. and expect to get into the cam
paign myself"
r. BSnyder, the Second ward Dem
ocratic candidate. has served one tern
IN the council. He is a conductor Oh
the street car AnN. and il veEy pc2ula