The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-02

from 100 to 200 feet, and Mr.. Mulvane
consented to its adoption. The sentf-
ment of the council seemed to be
strongly in favor Ola 800 foot service,
however, and finally Mr.. Mulvane
agreed to this and the following
amendment, presented by Councilman
the ordinance:
'tAnd to any party or parties so ap-
plying distant more than 800 feet
from the pole and wire line of said
company provided the additional cost
of installation by reason of any in
creased distance shall be borne by the
party or parties desiring such extern
sion and service
small consumer, who lives at a dis
lance of not more than 800 feet from
the company'S lines. In the past the
company has often refused to supply
such customers with current because
they did not think it would pay them
to extend their line the necessary dis
lance for the comparatively small
amount of business which would be
obtained. S'-aE
Another Thfrty-Year Fight.
Another attempt was made last
night to reduce the life of the fran
chise from 80 to 20 years in spite of
the emphatic declaration by Mr.. Null
Vane that such a. franchise would not
be accepted by the company. The
proposed change lacked one vote of
carrying, however. It seemed that the
opponents of the 30-year term thought
they could take advantage of Council
man Holidays absence to carry their
point, but they didn't quite make it.
The vote stood:
For the 20-year amendment: Kutz,
Ryder, Green, Nellis, Hughes.
Against the 20-year amendment:
Griley. Neil, Rice, Howe, Sinner,
Swendson.
Councilman Green lined up in favor
of the 20-year clause because he failed
"a
plan by which the city might have the
right to purchase the company's plant
within the 30-year term. The statutes
provide how the city may acquire the
is no provision for purchase at inter
mediate periods, as is given in the
case of waterworks plants.
In connection with the discussion,
Mayor Bergundthal brought up the
question of rates, and produced a list
of 100 cities which he claimed were
similarly situated with Topeka in re-
gard to the price of coal, and which
had rates which averaged about 1 o.
cents per kilowatt instead of Is, as
provided in the new ordinance. He
thought that the new ordinance is so
liberal in the matter of rates that the
company ought to be satisfied with a
20-year term.
Mr.. Mu1vane's emphatic declaration
that the company could not float its
bonds on 20-year franchise seemed
council to bring about a rejection of
the 20-year proposition.
Free Meters.
Another important provision which
was added to the franchise last night
was one requiring the company to
meters for all their customers. This
was put in for fear the company
might at some future time try to
make customers pay for their meters,
as the water company is doing.
The meter question was brought up
during a discussion Of whether or not
the city should have the right to in
spect and approve all the rules and
business which the company might
make. 1t was finally decided to allow
the company to make whatever rea-
sonable rules it might desire without
asking the councils permission. The !
only way the reasona bleness of the
rules can be determined is by going
to court.
The other changes made in the ordi-
nance were of a minor nature and the
work of considering the ordinace in
committee was completed when the
council adjourned shortly before mid
night. 1t was decided that the coun-
cilmen should be supplied with copies
of the new ordinance as amended at
least 48 hours before the meeting of
the council next Monday night, which
indicates that some of the. councilmen
plan to spend Sunday looking over the
revised document
At the council meeting Monday
night, the ordinance will come up for
final passage, and the indications are
that it will receive eight and possibly
nine votes. If it receives nine votes,
Mayor Bergundtha1 would not be able
to make his veto stick" though he
has not yet decided whether he will
try to veto the ordinance or not
Joseph Little. Burlington-My wife saws
she couldn't keep house without Hollis |
ter's Rocky Mountain Tea. Keeps the |
whole family well. Haven't spent a cent
for doctors in three years. Gatlin Drug