The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-15
Mayor BergundthaI Looking for
WaterWorks Board.
Business Men Willing to Serve
for Glory Needed.
COWGILL TO BE ONE.
Editor of Kansas Farmer Slate
for a Place.
VIM. Henderson and 3. L. Howe
Also Mentioned.


his spare time trying to pick out three
men who will be appointed to assume
the duties of water commissioners for
the city of Topeka on January 1.
E. B. Cowgirl is one of the men who
is practically certain to be one of the
board. Mr.. Cowgirl is editor of the
Kansas Farmer, and has had practical
experience in the installation and man
agement of Waterworks, besides having
served as professor of engineering for
number of years at the State Agricul-
tural college. Mr.. Cowgirl has indicat-
ed that he would accept an appoint
ment on the board.
VIM. Henderson is also regarded as
almost certain to be appointed. Mr.
Henderson is an expert accountant and
financier, and would be a valuable man
in the management of the finances of
the waterworks business. Mr.. Hender-
son is a Democrat. Mayor Bergundthal
was asked today whether he would APP
point a Democrat to a place on the
board. He said: 81 probably will. 1
have no objection to anybody for this
position on account of politics. Politics
will cut no figure, If l have anything
to say about naming the board
There is some talk of S. T. Howe for
a position on the board. Mr.. Howe is
now a member of the council from the
Fifth ward, and is the best posted au-
thority on municipal affairs in the city,
perhaps. He has studied municipal
ownership in other cities, and while he
does not believe that municipal owner
ship is good proposition, he has voted
consistently in favor of buying the wa
terworks. He would certainly try to
conduct the plant on business prin-
ciples, for the lack of proper manage
ment is, in his opinion, the stumbling
ship of utilities. Mr. Howe would of
course resign from the council if he
should be appointed on the waterworks
commission.
Archie Baird, R. L. Cofran, Chas.
Wolff, Jonathan Thomas and others
have also been mentioned as possibili-
ties.
According to Councilman Howe's or
the plant, these water commissioners
will serve for glory alone, but the SEN
tfment Of the members of the council
seems to be in favor of paying amodest
as it is recognized that for the first
few years. the duties of the commits
sioners will be arduous.
The only one who have been men
toned as possible candidates for
superintendent are VIM. Schmittendorf
and Jesse Shaw. Mr.. Schmittendorf
is superintendent of the Santa Fee wa
ter service. 1t seems altogether prob
able, however, that Mr.. Shaw will be
retained as superintendent.
When the city takes charge of the
plant the water office will doubtless
be moved over to the city hall, and the
indications are that it will be located
in the room opposite the one used by
the commissioner of election, at the en-
trance to the Auditorium. 1t is certain
that the office should be on the first
floor of the building, so that people
would not have to climb stairs to pay
their water rent. and this is practically
the only room which is available.
Mayors Announcement.
Mayor Bergundthal has given out an
opinion concerning the manner in
which the plant should be managed
under city ownership. He says:
II would advise no lowering of rates
for the first year so that full knowledge
may be had of the income and operat-
| ing expenses. After this knowledge is
obtained and it is found reduction of
rates can be made, such reduction
should be made and to an extent as will
place the income of the plant sufficient
to pay operating expenses and interest
on the bonded Indebtedness, a proper
amount for repairs, extension of mains
and such other additions to the plant
as the growth of the city demands and
makes necessary. A certain per cent of
the gross earnings should also be set
aside as sinking fund for the future
redemption of the bonds. I would also
recommend that the tax levy made for
the purpose, of paying hydrant rentals
be continued. 1t appears to me that the
city should be considered in the light
OF customer OIL the water plant, with
the exception of water for washing and
flushing the streets and sewers, which
should be free"
what is your idea about issuing
bonds to improve the plant and extend
the main?'' was asked.
That is a serious matter" replied the
mayor. Il think it should be left to
the board of water commissioners to
| settle. Whether bonds should be issued
to build extensions depends to some ex-
tent on the amount of revenue which
can be derived from the plant. 1t is
possible that the plant may pay enough
revenue to extend mains as rapidly as
the business warrants
Council VIII Meet.
There is a meeting of the council
called for Wednesday night, the purpose
of which is to confer with President
Street of the Topeka Water company,
who arrived in Topeka at noon today.
1t is not known that there will be
anything of Importance to bring before
| this meeting, but it is likely shat Presi-
dent Street will have something to say
to the council.
William Green, chairman of the ways
and means committee of the city cDun-
Gill; says that he does not expect to call
a meeting of his committee to talk over