The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-10
BUY THE TERWORES.
ii. Snattinger, Capitalist, Dis
cusses the Situation.

NJ. Snattinger, one of the old citizens
and heavy taxpayers of the Third ward,
said today in speaking of the water
works question:
L believe that the city should buy
the waterworks plant. 1t is the first
thing for us to do in order to give
Topeka better fire protection.
1T may be true that we are paying
too much for the plant. But it seems
that the water company has got us
about where 1t wants US. We would
probably never be able to get the
plant for less than the price which has
been agreed upon. If the city has to
nay a hundred thousand too much for
the plant, I believe the best plan is to
pay it and be done with it. 1t only
has to be paid once. and then we are
free of the water company forever.
In advising that the city take this
course, I am advising that it do just
what I would do in a similar condition
in my own personal business. If some
fellow had me tied down by contract
which I could not get away from,
would want to pay something to get
out of that predicament. and the
sooner could get out the better for
me.
After we get possession of the plant
I am in favor of extending the mains
to the dry districts as soon as possible
It may also be necessary to enlarge the
capacity of the plant We should go
ahead and put the plant in good condi-
ton as quickly as possible. don't be-
lieVe it will help US any to delay. The
work has to be done, so why not do it
now and get the benefit of it? 1 have
read the report Of the two men appoint
ed by the insurance companies to in
veStigate the condition of the plant.
think it is avery good report, but 1
expect that it may be overdrawn in
some particulars It is drawn up from
an insurance mans standpoint, and of
course the insurance men want the city
70 toll
better protection we have, the better it
is for the insurance companies. The
business men are also Interested in good
protection, but 1 would take a business
mans recommendation quicker than 1
would that of the insurance companies,
because the business man foots the bill
and the insurance man merely gets the
benefit.
THE city ought to have good fire
protection, and am in favor of get
ting things in shape to give that kind
of protection just as quickly as 1 can.
If 7 am elected to the city council.
that will be my policy. When we i'm
prove our fire protection, / am conf
dent that insurance rates will be low
cred.
Topeka is entitled to pure air and
pure water, and it is the city council
duty, so far as possible, to insure those
things to the inhabitants
Mr.. Snattinger,s strong position in
the waterWOrkS situation will help him
. in his race for the Republican nominal
ton for councilman from the Third
ward, the position which he held with
great credit to himself and benefit TO
his ward until two years ago. Even
Mr.. Snattinger's bitterest opponents
admit that as Il business man, who is
thoroughly conversant with the city's
business, he was one of the most valu-
able members the city council ever
had.
popularity of Mr. Snattinger is
that he has announced positively that
he will not make any fight for the po-
sition of councilman. IF the people in
my ward want me. they can vote for
me- he said today. IF all the people
get out and work for me that have
come and told me they were going to
DO so. it won't be necessary for me to
make any fight"
1t has usually been the experience