The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-08
HITS HARD BLOW.
Members of Board of Education
Skater Traditions.
Haphazard Methods of Doing
Business Reformed.
STOPS SALE OF LOTS.
Mr.. Roudebush Said the Price
Was Too Low.
Expensive Change in High
School Hardware Vetoed.

The traditions of the board of educa-
ton were shaken again last night when
E. E. Roudebush and It. F. Carver, in
stead of taking things as they came
without question, asked for explanations
that brought forth rather embarrassing
remarks.
At about every meeting of the board
some individual member comes in with
the statement that he ordered some
thing and that now he wishes the board
to ratify his action At last nights
meeting the board repudiated two deals
by individual members of the board.
Mr. Roudebush started the trouble
when w. H. Wilson asked that the
board ratify the proposition to sell the
three lots on Polk street between Third
and Fourth formerly occupied by the
douglass school for $500. The board was
about to acquiesce without comment
when Mr.. Roudebush asked why the
lots were sold for $500. Mr.. Wilson ex-
planned that the board had voted some
time ago to sell the lots for $500.
The resolution was that the lots
should be sold for $780, said Roude-
bush.
The price was $780, said Wilson.
What firm is making the SALE"
asked Roudebush who is in the real es-
tate business.
Rogers. Davis & Co.." replied Wilson.
Who is the deed for the lots made
out to-? continued Roudebush.
Lille NJ Davis responded Wilson.
Who is she?" asked Roudebush
I don't know" said Wilson.
Later it was discovered that Lille M.
Davis is the wife of Frank Davis, a
member of the firm. Then Roudebush
had things right where he wanted
them.
This is a speculation deal by the
firm" said Roudebush. Mr.. Rogers
was a member of this board at the
time those lots were ordered sold. He
knew all about htem. 1 went out to
! look at them. They are cheap at $50
and big bargain at 5000. I would have
given $500 for them.'
Il telephoned to the clerk of the
board, Mr.. Stewart. and asked what
price was fixed by the board" said
| Wilson. He told me $600''
| Mr.. Stewart hunted up the records
of the meeting of last May and found
that $3.50 was the price set by motion
of Mr.. Wilder.
Did you refer to the record when
you answered Mr.. Wilson," asked E1r.
| Miller.
No, I thought it was $780," said
! Stewart.
This proves said Miller that it is
not best TO guess at things and that
when the clerk is asked for informa-
ton that he had best look up the rec
ords.'
1.-The firm is buying the lots for spec
I ulaIlOn, SalQ ROUOeDuSn.
| WELL isn't that all right?" asked
some of the members.
Yes, if the firm pays the price that
the board asks which is a reasonable
price" replied Roudebush. 1T would
not be right to sell the lots for $500
when they should bring $3.50 more" The
board promptly voted that the lots
should not be sold.
Il will guarantee that the board will
not lose" said Roudebush. Il will buy
the lots for 5000 at any time. but the
board can get $780,
Mr.. Roudebush had not more than
finished his bombardment of the meth
DDS of the board than Judge Carver
threw another bomb into Vladivostok
by questioning the purchase of locks
for the manual training high school
that are to cost S215 mora than the
locks originally specified
It developed from Judge Garver's re-
marks that the building committee, OF
some of the committee, decided that
better locks ought to be used on the
manual training building. Several
members of the building committee, E
Wilder, c. H. Kutz and L. c. Bailey
were sick, and finally Supt. Davidson
and W. H. Wilson, chairman of the
building committee, ordered the change
in locks.
Judge Carver objected to individual
members of the board ordering any
changes in the buildings or expending
any money unless the matter was frs
brought before the entire board. Il
was explained to Judge Carver tina
the locks costing s215 more were OBJ
viously better than the others
You specified a certain kind of loci
for the manual training building?' sale
Judge Carver. addressing J. c. Hol
land, the architect of the building.
Il did, said Mr.. Holland.
"At the time you drew the plans anC
prepared the specifications you speci
fed lock which you thought wa
suitable and plenty good enough TO
the building?"
II did,
Have you changed your mind abou
the locks since?"
IT have not" replied Holland. g
couldn't well go back on what recon-
! merided.''
IF these locks were suitable when tn
plans were accepted I don't see VIII.
they are not suitable now" said .Judg
Carver Il cannot see why Sc locks ar
! not of a good enough grade for tn
building. 1 do not see why $40 or 81
locks are needed. We cannot keep eX
pending money on this building by put
, ting in more expensive materials w
have not the money to expend. I do no
think that such changes should be mad
: unless the board is consulted"
But the change has been ordered an
the contractor, Mr.. Spencer, has order
!, er these new locks and they are no'
l being manufactured for him" said M
Holland.
D THAT is no concern of the board,
E said Judge Carver. Mr. Spencer con
? tracted to put in certain locks and thos
| are the locks he should use"
The board decided that the purchas
e of locks to cost $215 over the origins
estimate should not be authorized b
e the board.
t The board has paid for plans for tn
{ Manual training building and for plar
I for the heating systems for the building
r At last nights meeting the news wa
n broken as gently as possible to tn
It board that an additional set of plans fC
e the plumbing and sewerage systems
a the building must be ordered Afte