The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-26

fire protection ample, within the linn
tied area covered by said plant; and
Whereas, When the appraisement
was made, four years ago, $46S,000
was estimated as the value of the plant
proper by the citys expert hydraulic
engineer, including the Harrison street
pumping station, leaving a balance of
81 1000 of the $62O,00O in bonds vot-
ed to go to the waterworks company
as pure gift for selling; and
Whereas, The Harrison street
pumping station aforesaid is of little
or no use, leaving the supposed value
of said water plant to be $46S,00O less
$4,000, or $413,0O0; and
Whereas, President Street of the
water company stated before this
council and council committees at the
october, 1904, meetings, that the said
water plant still needed, to put it in
proper repair:
First-A five million gallon engine
and pump.
Second-New boilers.
Third-NeW reserve boilers.
Fourth-Another large main leading
from the plant to the city to relieve
the choke so that more pressure
might be had.
Fifth-The taking out and putting
in of other links of pipes to relieve
other chokeS in other parts of the sys-
tenn of mains.
Sixth-A reservoir for water under
Martins Hill SO that the water might
be properly aerated and purified, and
made good and wholesome for drink
ing purposes; and,
Whereas, The above repairs mem
toned by Mr.. Street were to be made
by the city at the city's expense after
the purchase of the plant at the price
immediate and additional expenditure
on the part of the city of very large
and whole conjecturaI amount; and,
Whereas, Said repairs, which must
fNeai 4 f<11xr
ent plant in a fair condition-still fur
ther lessons the actual value of the
plant above given at $413,0O by just
the sum the said repairs would cost;
and,
Whereas, All this vast expenditure
does not contemplate a foot's exten-
sion of new mains in any of the dry
districts of the city, which must be
Immediately taken care of; and,
Whereas, When the people voted to
purchase the waterworks plant nearly
two years ago, they voted with the un-
derstanding that they were going to
get something for their money-and
not merely buy a right at 100000 to
build a new plant; and,
Whereas, 1t is apparent that the ex-
ternal and internal workings of the
waterwOrks plant were more or less
injured by the flood of 1908; and,
Whereas, The present waterworks
plant was built for a city of l s., 600 in
habitants, and it is apparent that such
a system would have to be largely re-
constructed, with larger mains and
larger hydrants, in the central por-
tions of the city to meet the present
and growing demands; and,
Whereas, 1t is apparent in such re-
construction of the waterwOrkS system
above mentioned that the present
mains and hydrants in the central por-
if any salvage; and
Whereas, 1t is apparent that the
city of Topeka should own its own sys-
tenn of waterworks, and that such sys-
tenn when complete should be up to
date and commensurate with the dig
nifty of the capital of great common
wealth, and capable of supplying good,
pure and wholesome water, and ade-
quate fire protection for a city of at
least so to 100 thousand people; and
Whereas, 1t is apparent that such
plant, as above suggested, can be con-
structed for less than $500, ,000,-new and
ments-while the present plant Is
twenty-three (23) years old, greatly
deprecated, and wholly inadequate for
the needs of the present population;
Therefore, be 1t resolved, By the
mayor and council of the city of Topeka,
that a committee, consisting of Coun-
ciln1en Ryder, Rice and Griley, be and
is hereby appointed, who shall, with the
city engineer, ascertain the amount and
expense which will be incurred, to OBJ
tain from a competent and reliable
hydraulic engineer plans and specifica-
tions, together with an estimate of the
costs of a system of waterworks to sup
ply the city of Topeka and its inhabit-
ants with abundant, pure and whole
some water for domestic purposes, and
that will give the city adequate fire pro-
tection-such a system to be so con-
that it may be extended as oc-
casion requires to meet the wants of 2
city of not less than eighty thousand
people; and
Be it further resolved, By the mayor
and council of the city of Topeka, that
a committee, consisting of Councilmen
Hughes, Neil and Sinner, be and is
hereby appointed, who shall act togeth-
er with the city attorney to ascertain
whether additional legislation is neces-
sary to enable cities of the first class to
build, erect, own, maintain and operate
to supply the inhabitants
with water for domestic uses and fire
and if found necessary to
prepare such amendments to the laws
governing cities of the first class, or
such additional legislation as will en-
able such cities to do so, and issue
bonds therefor, with view to having
the same presented to the legislature
at it's next session for its action, and
that such committees report to the
council as soon as possible.
c. K. HOLIDAY.