The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-11
BUILD IT NOW.
=
City Council Takes Up Melan
Bridge Question.
Will Submit Proposition to
Build New Approach.
MAKE 1T LIKE REST.
Plan Is to Build Another Arch
on the North.
Estimates Now Being Made by
Mr.. Keepers.
MAKE 1T LIKE REST.

According to the decision of the city
council Monday night, the people of
Topeka Will at the time of the general
election on November vote on the
question of issuing $4,000 in bonds, or
as much as may be necessary of that
sum, to rebuild the north approach to
the MeIan bridge across the Kansas
river.
W. H. Keepers. one of the firm of
Keepers & Thatcher, who built the
Melan bridge, was in Topeka Monday,
and with Assistant City Engineer
King, made careful measurements OF
the length of span required, and will
submit estimates on the cost Of re-
placing the present temporary pile
structure with Melan arch similar to
the rest Of the bridge. 1t is the only
kind of a structure that should be
built 1t is likely that estimates on the
cost of putting in a steel span on tub
ular piers win also be made. City En-
gineer McCabe was instructed by the
council to prepare plans and specifica-
tions for the proposed structure at
special meeting of the council to be
held on Tuesday, October is. At that
time City Attorney Spencer will have
ready for passage an ordinance pro-
viding for the calling of 8 special cleo
ton in conjunction with the regular
fall election.
This action of the council was taken
in response to an urgent request made
before the ways and means committee
at a specially called meeting held lust
before the regular council meeting, by
Jonathan Thomas, J. B. Billiard and E
c. Arnold. all of North Topeka. 1t was
first proposed to ask for a bond issue
of $4,000, but in order to cover all
contingencies, it was decided to make
the amount $751; 900. It is likely that the
cost of the work will come considera bly,
within this amount.
An effort was made by Councilman
J. Q. Sinner and other members of the
council, to make an omnibus bilr' of
the Melan bridge proposition, and sub
init in conjunction Herewith PROPOSE
tons to vote bonds for two bridges in
the Fifth ward, one in the Sixth ward
and one in the Second ward, but when
it was found that pretty nearly every
member of the council had a bridge
to add to the collection, the whole lot
was stricken out of the deal.
Speedy work is necessary on the part
of the council in order to get the matter
properly before the city for the No
Vember election. The proclama ton
for the election must be published ten
days in advance of the election, and
other legal formulas must be compiled
with. II. their haste, there is consider
able probability that the council will
get itself tangled UP in some sort of
difficulty, but of course the proposition
TO rebuild the arch is good one, and
ought to be adopted. 1t is an expense
to which the city will have to go sooner
or later, and the cost of repairing the
/
because of the excessive travel across
the bridge.
The following is the resolution which
was introduced by Councilman T. \.
Ryder of the First ward, and adopted
by the council without opposition:
Resolved, That in the judgment of
the mayor and council an election
should be called to be held on Novenl-
Der s. 1904, for the purpose IF submit
ting a proposition to vote bonds in the
sum of $4,000 or so much thereof as
may be necessary to construct the
north span or spans of tire Melan arch
bridge across the Kansas river; and
that the city attorney be directed TO
perpare the necessary ordinance for
that purpose
Paving Contracts Let.
Hanley & Ritchie secured the con-
tract last night for paving Jackson
street from Twelfth to Huntoon. and
Twelfth street from Jackson to Kansas
avenue, the two blocks upon which the
new street car shops and offices face.
The paving was let at $1.19 a square
yard.
Haskins & Ramsey bid s1.2O on the
work. and NJ. F. Wall bid $1.23A
There was a tie bid on the grading,
J. H. Maxwell and NJ. F. Wall each
Owing to the fact that Maxwell has
superior equipment for the work the
council awarded the contract to him
Kepley & Webster got the contract
per lineal foot. There was no oppo-
sition.
Hanley & Richie submitted the only
bid on rolling, their price being cents
per square yard
NJ. F. Wall secured the contract for
crossing plates at $3.50, catch basins
at Sass and 12-inch vitrified pipe at |
6Taz cents
Wide Tire Fight.
The proposed new wide tire ordi- |
nance. which some of the councilmen