The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-03-08

nittee for investigation, and It is likely
that some sort of compromise will be
exacted from the railroad company be-
fore the streets are vacated.
Topeka has no particular affection for
the stub-end of Seward avenue which
II is proposed to vacate, and as for Wal
nut. there would still be several other
Walnut streets IN town even If this one
should be wiped OF the city map. But
what the people seem to want is that
the Santa Fe shall donate a 20-foot strip
off its newly purchased block of land
for the purpose of widening the alley in
the rear Of the lots which face on Linn
street.
What the Santa Fe is trying to do is
to enlarge its lumber yard. It has pur-
chased from the owners the II lots
facing on Walnut street between State
and Seward This is a whole half block.
In order to make this tract available for
its purpose, it must have some way Of
getting tracks across it. It cannot
reach its land without permission from
the city The Santa Fe company's plan
is to have the city wipe Walnut street
and Seward avenue off the map so far
as these two streets interfere with its
plans Walnut streets is 425 feet long
and sc feet wide; that portion of Sc
ward avenue which the Santa F'e wants
Is 200 feet long and so fefet wide. There
are nine lots in these two tracts, which
at 5000 apiece would be worth 81 500 The
Santa F'e would like to get these lots
for nothing
It is to make the city council friendly
In SUCH cases as this that it has dished
up free transportation 10 the counciImen
whenever they asked fer it, and it prob
ably VIII look like base ingratitude for
the councilmen to go back on the COM
pany now That's where it becomes n
little bit embarrassing for city officers to
try 10 serve two masters.
Al the same time no one has any desire
70 hamper the Santa Fe railroad in get
5lng whatever IS right and fair. The
santa &c has never had any trouble in
getting a square deal in Topeka and ii
probably Will get all that is rightfully
cue IN this case But the council acted
with great discretion last night in re-
1uslng to take the railway companys ad-
vice and pass the ordinance without fur
ther investigation
Q; J. Wood, attorney for the Santa Fe,
ana W G Carney, local freight agent of
me company, represented the railroad
interests at the meeting Mr. Wood ex-
planned what the company wanted to do.
ana ne said that it was anxious to get
us fence around the newly acquired terri
TORY and occupy 1t Is q part of its I1Irn-
ger yard After he had finished spea king
councilman Joseph Grilex, VINO repre-
which IS especially interested, said:
mere are some people down there
VINO are opposed to this plan. and they
want to be heard before the council takes
any action. I hope the council will ruf
THIS IN the hands of a committee and give
the people down there a chance -
Mr. Griley subsequently stated that his
constituents would be satisfied with the
enange provided the Santa Fe should
WIDEN the alley above mentioned so that
1t would be 70 feet instead of 20 feet this
Spsliis " Z more convenient thorough
[are, Il Is claimed. between State and
The committee will meet next Errisa.,
AFTERNOON and will consider the matter.