The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-10

this suppositious theory there was a
body of water along the south side of
the bridge two feet or more lower than
that on either side and above the
bridge. If this absurdly impossible
condition could have existed, there
would have been rush of water both
on the north and south side toward
the bed of the river, currents running
north on the south side, and south on
the north side, water seeking its level
But nothing of the kind happened The
rushing waters along Railroad street,
Curtis, Norris Laurent and Gordon,
kept on their most direct line to the
east. If there was a big hole to be
filed below the bridge they did seem to
discover it in their search for a level
The Melan bridge has been grossly
abused Whether it was a dam or not
a dam it served a good purpose during
the flood. How many lives were saved
and how much suffering and want pre-
vented because it afforded means or
escape The old bridge would have
gone with that of the city railway or
before it. What would have been the
condition then of the hundreds still
left on the North side?
At the meeting Monday night Mr.
Billiard struck the keynote as it was
struck by no one else. He did not
take for granted that another flood
was presumable He had lived here
fifty years and this was the only flood
of consequence in that time He did
not expect to see another. 1t was pos
sible but not probable. We should act
more in view of the probabilities than
of the uncertain possibilities. If an
other equal flood does come we have,
and can have no means of averting it.
One advantage is we will be forewarn-
ed. AS long as this generation lives
there cannot be a repetition of last
years disaster without a notice of
its coming twenty-four hours in al
vance, and not a single life need be
sacrificed.
AS for preventing just such a flood in
future, if conditions are the same, no
such thing is possible.
Even palliating remedies are not pos
sible. Remove every bridge, widen the
river to twice its present capacity re
move every sandbar and deepen It's
bed ten feet or more, and even then IL
would not carry off the volume of wa
ter that we had last year. By proper
efforts the effects of smaller floods may
be prevented and that is all that can
be done. The Melan bridge, just as 1t
was a year ago, was sufficient for
larger flood than would overflow the
city park and turn Crane street into
river, and another arch in place of the
present apology of an approach 10 the
north end would add to its capacity.
Let us be done with these bugaboo
stories of danger. Weak women
brighten their children with tales OF
hoboes. There is not one iota OF rea-
son why we should have. less conf
QenCG IN NOILn 4OI16hd than 4Aehe-
one year ago this day of grace. All
these agita tons are harmful, and he
who labors and fosters them is an en-
envy of the North side.
The helpful man is he who encour-
ages, who would build up and not tear
down North Topeka has as many
fine homes as it had a year ago. Ev-
erything is growing more cheerful
Good homes are rented lower than ever.
But much nervousness and fear still
done
nrevent this and when it cannot be
done it is just as well that the nervous
move away. Their places will be filled
with new corners. Much property that
is really just as valuable as 1t was a
Year ago can now be bought at half its
real value. There are bargains Tor
those who are not afraid.
G.. F. KIMBALL.