The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-08
Topeka JUBILANT
Mayor and Council Congratulate
ed Over Solution
Ofthe Long, Long VeXed Water
works Problem.
NOW TO BUSINESS.
TO BUSINESS.
NOW
City Will Get Ready to Take
Active Control.
January LIST at Beginning of the
New Year.

Topeka is jubilant today over the I'M
animous decision of the mayor and city
council to take over the water plant at
sthe agreed price, 100000, in accordance
with the instructions of the voters to
| that effect.
| The action of the council terminates
struggle for the city ownership of the
plant extending over many years and
through many different administrations.
The city has twice voted for municipal
ownership, but many things have inter-
posed to delay the actual purchase and
turning over of the property.
Floods, fires, title and courts have
postponed the result for which Topeka
has so long waited in its endeayorS to
peacefully secure an adequate supply or
water at reasonable price. Good words
are heard upon every hand for the
mayor and council which has finally
brought things to the conclusion.
w. w. Mills, president of the Com
mercial club, was enthusiastic when the
result was telephoned to him last even
ing by a State Journal reporter. He
said: THAT is fine, isn't it? If had a
hat in my hand, I would throw it up
to the ceiling"
Jonathan Thomas said: well, well,
that is too good to be true" And so
the good words are heard on all sides
today.
There will be much to do before ev-
der city ownership. 1t is well known
that there are needed and necessary
repairs; particularly, repairs which are
not expensive in themselves, but are
essential to the proper workings of the
system and such repairs that the wa
ter company has not been ready to
make because of the uncertainty of the
possession or REIMBURSEMENT of the
property.
one of the most important things for
the city to do will be to keep the man
agement of the works out of politics.
Mayor Bergundthal was put on record
long ago on this score 1t is not un-
likely that the management and oper-
alton, so far as possible, Will remain
in the hands of the present competent
officials and employees from the super
intendent down.
1t is quite likely that the city may
decide that for the first year it will
not be good policy to reduce the water
rents because we know that with the
present prices the net revenue in one
year is likely to be sufficient to make
all the repairs most needed, including
the installation of a new boiler, some
new mains, and probably the removal
of the Harrison street plant to the up
per works. III.
The councilmen may find that they
will be urged to do all sorts of things
in the way of rate reductions and ex-
tensions. One great thing which must
be provided for is a thorough business
administration of the plant in every
respect. If this policy be pursued
there is no doubt that the waterworks
purchase will be one of the best and
most profitable investments the city
ever made. 1t will insure within a
reasonable time water at much lower
rates and the extension of the supply
to districts at present dry.
There is some talk, very little,
that some obstructionist will bob up
and again try to defeat the will of
the people as expressed at the polls,
and by the unanimous Endorsement of
the mayor and council, but it is to be
hoped that no such obstructionist will
show his head. and that if he does
show it. it will be hit hard and quick.
Topeka people must pull together.
They must stop quarreling over things
which have been settled; they must
take up new problems for the expan-
sion and betterment of the town i'll
every respect. The mayor and coun-
Gil have set a good example.
It IS expected that the city will take
actual possession of the plant and sys
tenn on Jan. 1, the beginning ot a new
quarter and a new year.
On the 18th of last March. when
the city thought it was going to take
possession of the plant the following
month, Councilman S. T. Howe pre-
scented to the council an ordinance
for the management of the
plant. The ordinace was referred to
the ways and means committee and