The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-13
MELAR BRIDGE REPAIRS
City May Have to Vote Bonds to Do
the Work.

Two propositions involving the is
suance of more city bonds were dis
cuSSed by the ways and means COM
mittee of the city council Tuesday
night. One was the project for the
| building of extensive dykes to protect
North Topeka from flood water; the
other was the proposed construction
OF permanent span for the north end
of the Melan bridge.
Councilman Ryder, who lives in
North Topeka, believes that the best
way is to have the city engineer make
an estimate on the probable cost of
such dykes as are necessary, and then
get authority from the legislature to
issue bonds to cover this cost.
Other members of the committee
expressed different views in the case.
Some thought that the state of KAN
SaS should make an appropriation to
build the dykes, and that this should
be followed by an appropriation for
the same purpose from congress- 1t
was suggested that the Kansas con-
gressmen be formally requested to
work for the passage of such an ap-
preparation.
It was finally decided to recommend
to the council by a resolution that the
city and county cooperate in a series
of surveys and Investigations, to be
made by the city engineer and county
surveyor, for the purpose of determin-
ing where dykes are needed. and how
much it will cost to build them. The
ton to appear before the legislature
with some definite request, either for
an appropriation, or for authority to
vote bonds.
of money could be raised by private
subscription for the purpose of build
Ing dykes Jonathan Thomas IS re-
ported to have offered to donate $1,000
for this purpose.
The question of rebuilding the north
span of the bridge was brought before
the council some time ago in the form
of a petition of North Topeka people
asking that the work be done without
delay. The petition was held up at
the request of Councilman Kutz of the
First ward, who thought he could
make some arrangement with the
ing of the span. Nothing has been
heard of the matter since
1t is not likely that the county will
have anything to do with the recon-
probably have to bear all the expense
This is the opinion of the city attor-
ney. who has investigated the matter
considerably.
eff we have to vote bonds to repair
this bridge" said Councilman Howe,
'I don't think there will be any diff
Guilty in getting the necessary vote.
do not believe anybody will oppose the
building of a permanent span in that
bridge The only thing is to get it
voted on at the next spring election.
The city engineer was asked by the
to prepare some estimates
on the cost of a new span for the
bridge.
City Wants More Money.
Under the city charter act, the
county is required to reimburse the
city for all money expended for the
drawn I'D for presentation to the
council:
"Resolved, by the mayor and coun- |
I'll of the city of Topeka, that the city
clerk be and is hereby instructed TO
prepare a statement of all amounts
advanced by the city for the support |
Of the poor of the city and to present |
he same to the board of county COM |
demand for reimbursement by the |
to the city, the same to cover |
Ill cases arising since the taking er-
'ect of the charter act passed by the |
legislature of 1903.
The members of the committee
roasted the present way of doing the |
,ity health business. Councilman |
Hughes said: 1.-The city pays 81 1000 |
/ year in taxes for the support of the
Door. 1t all goes to the county, and
he rnayor of the city cannot have 7
lnything to say about the disposal of /
| dollar of it. He can't get thing |
or the poor of the city except by an t
,rder. from the poor commissioned
"People die from red tape right here
n Topeka said DR.. Ryder. "A poor
nan can't get doctors to treat him,
md he is obliged to go through lot
# rigmarole before he can get the
ervices of the county doctor. The
county ought to pay the doctor good
alary, and then require him to attend
very case of sickness to which he is.
allied entirely free of charge.
Councilman Green said Although
he city contributes $1,000 toward
he support of the poor the county
Ioes not use it all. and simply puts
he unexpended balance into its gen
raj funds.
The committee will probably pay
he damages awarded in the W. A.
Roberts case. Roberts fell through
he East Eighth street bridge, and
vas badly hurt. He got a verdict for
500. The committee decided to leave
he settlement of the case to the city
ttorney, and the attorney is In tavor
f paving the judgment.
The claim of DR.. Keith for the care
f Ohio Battles at his hospital was