The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-06
a virtual renewal Of the old fran-


virtual renewal of the old fran
Several of the gentlemen present
thought that the lack of sufficient wa
ter pressure SHOULD be brought to the
attention of Judge Pollock by some in
dividual citizen of Topeka, acting on
behalf of the commercial interests, and
not by the city as a corporation.
Geo. NJ. Noble said: Il think the citi-
zens of Topeka should address the court
as citizens. and this is also the idea of
A. A Hurd."
Il believe you are right about that
said ]. W. F. Hughes.
This receiver is the appointee of the
court" said John E. Frost, land if the
court gets information from citizens or
anybody else that the receiver is not do
ing his duty, the court will consider it
his duty to investigate the matter
w. H. Davis: II don't see how pri-
waite citizens can intervene. They
haven't any contract with the water
company. It's the city that has the
contract.
T. ]. Anderson: THE court can't re-
ceive us as citizens. The application
and complaint must come through the
city,
]. B. Larimer: You people, as citi-
You are not party to the suit
The movement should come from the
city You need the moral support of the
city as a corporation
Another question involved in the
presentation of the matter to Judge
Pollock is whether or not the city
would have to pay the cost of any i'm
provementS which Judge Pollock might
order made. provided the city should
buy the plant
Even with the understanding that
we would have this to pay said VIM.
Green. isn't it best 90 go ahead and get
water company can certainly do the
work as cneaply as we can, and we
would have the work to do if we should
get the plant"
This opened up discussion of wheth-
er the city wants to buy the plant at
all, or whether it wants to give the wa
ter company a new franchise.
Mr.. Howe said he thought the city
and the company should come to an
agreement, and fix up a new franchise
at reduced rates, making ample pro-
vision for proper fire protection. Mr..
Howe has always been opposed to the
principle of city ownership of public
utilities.
ITS easy to say Don't buy the
plant, - said City Attorney Spencer.
THE question is, can you refuse to buy
the plant without running the risk of
extending the franchise. If you refuse
to buy the plant, what will you do
next?"
Vote bonds and build a plant of our
own" said Col. Hughes.
You would probably not be able to
sell the bonds as long as this other plant
Is running mere, SAID Geo. M. noble.
THE president of certain bank in
Topeka told me that his bank would
furnish the money to build plant here
if the city would give him a franchise"
said Mr.. Hughes.
The people in Topeka are opposed to
extending this franchise" said City At
torney Spencer. II don't know whether
they would kick harder on buying this
old run down plant for 100000, or on
extending the present company's fran
chise.''
7 know the city will have a ire
mendous fight on its hands before it
a plant" said T. ]. Anderson. Il have
talked to the people, and I know there
are plenty of them who are ready to
go to any extreme to prevent the con-
summation of this deal They don't
believe the plant is capable of doing
the work it was when the city bought
it. If it would do any good I could get
the biggest petition this town ever saw
protesting against the purchase of this
plant for 100000. and 1 could get it
mighty quick, too
I'm make a motion in council meet
ing Monday night declaring off our
deal for tht purchase of the plant"
said Mr. Hughes
That's what ought 10 be DONE" said
Councilman Joseph Griley- ''I'll vote
for it,
Councilman Hughes asked City At
torney Spencer to draw up a resolution
in proper form to put an official end
to the city's agreement to purchase the
waterworks for 100000. and this reso-
luton will come before the council
Monday night
S. T. Howe made this motion at the
conclusion of the discussion: II move
that we report back to the council rec
ommending that the city attorney be
instructed to intervene in these water
works suits, and ask the court to cause
his receiver to comply with the re-
quirements of the franchise contract"
Howe and Green voted for this mo-
ton. Hughes voted against it. He
thought that the city should first Off
cially terminate its dicker for the pur-
chase of the plant for $500, 000
E. H. Crosby made a very good sug-
gestion last night. He thought it would
be a good plan to have a large main
laid up Kansas avenue, connecting with
the pumps at the Harrison street sta
ton and being intended exclusively for
fire pressure service. This is similar
to the gridiron of direct pressure mains
which has been laid in Philadelphia
for fire service exclusively. These
mains carry such tremendous pressure
and such vast volumes of water that
the use of fire steamers is entirely I'M
necessary. Such a direct pressure main
on Kansas avenue would be of i'm
mense value in protecting the congest-
ed business district from serious fire,
and is worthy of serious consideration.
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