The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-11
SECOND WARD SEWER.
State Journal Correspondent Tells
Why He Opposes 1t.

To the Editor of the State Journal:
The great question OF the day is the
Second ward sewer, it's use both in re-
gard to health. drainage and grating
In the first place in regard to health,
would like to say as a resident of the
Second ward for the last IS years on the
banks of the Shunganunga creek, that
we do not have any more Sickness or
not as much in comparison in popula-
ton of the ward with other wards as
the balance of the city. Any old resi-
dent of the Second ward will verify me
in this statement, and in regard to the
water in this part of the city will say
there can not be found any better. I
would lots rather depend on our well
water being pure than that of the city
water which lies in the pipes all over
the city. think we had a test of that
after the recent food, and think DR..
Menninger or any of the board of
health will have to admit to that. Did
not the board of health have to con-
denim some water in the wells of school
houses in the sewer district? Yes, but
that WAS not in the Second ward. There
is not anything said about that, because
that is in a different part of the city.
But what ever they can do to run down
or injure the Second ward Is thrown on
her shoulders and tried to be made to
carry
Second. in regard to drainage. If the
city engineer does not do a better job
with the engineering of the proposed
sewer than he has with the drainage
of the East Fourth street pavement
and the water course of the famous
Biddle creek we will be in worse con-
dition than we are at the present time.
In regard to the Fourth street pave
ment we had an experience OF his noble
work the last heavy rain. when the
banks Of the Shunganunga were full. II
backed up the drainage pipe along the
pavement until it was knee deep in
the street three blocks from tnq creek,
something that never occurred before
the pavement was there, ana It We
don't give such things as that athought
what may happen when the river gets
on a rampage and backs up the motor
ious Second ward sewer?
1t is a serious question, and one that
should be seriously looked into at the
present time, and not wait until after
| it is done, and then reap the same mar
vest as from present work done Dy that
noble body of men, They may say We
will put flood gates at the mouth OF
the river. Have they not at the present
time flood gates at the mouth OF the
Fourth street drainage? What good are
they? Tney are just IKE a oaihy MORSE U.s.,
when you need them the most they
won't work
Third-We should look at this sewer
| business like any other business
/ famous sewer? IS it not so that some one
/ has a large plum hanging high and is
4 ond ward reach lIp. and pick it for them
i As we all know, the mayor OF our oeauu-
Iul and heaItntuI cry. 49, do4sn on Arc
/ pavement question for the present time,
/ and we all know that if our business be
4 gins to drag, we try to remedy II 1T
some way.
! Also it seems strange that the honora-
/ BILE councilmen of the First ward knows
more of the wants OF the Second ward
than our own councilmen- It seems %
me they have a large enough field over
there to work on without taking any OF
/ the burden off of the shoulders OF the
4 Second ward members.
/ In conclusion I would like to ask what
| good or benefit can we derive from dry
| sewer? As probably our First ward
| councilman is not aware of the fact we
/ nave water only on Fourth street east
/ and Sixth, and only about 20 connected
/ to that. I hope every taxpayer VIII give
/ late and if the majority rule for sewer
f let us have one so it will beneht all and
be 4 good and profitable investment to
US as well as TO our councilmen and
Z brick company. Your humble taxpayer,
4 W. A VOIGT, 1121 East Sixth St.