The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-21
new WATER ORDINANCE
What Is Proposed in Place of the
State Law.

State Law.
The new ordinance providing for the
character of the management of the
WaterWorks plant will probably be
drawn up and be ready for preSenta-
ton to the city council by the first of
July. There are two adjourned meet
on the 26th and 30ths but it is scarcely
probable that the ordinance will be
ready to be presented at either of these
meetings. It is probable therefore that
it will be considered on July 8, the reg
ular monthly meeting Of the council.
The Howe ordinance which is furnish
ing basis for the drawing up of the
new ordinance is being revised in a
number of important particulars.
The ordinance provides for the ap-
pOintment of three WaterWorks COM
nissiOners, two of whom shall be ap-
pointed for a term of two years to be-
gin with and one for one year term.
This method makes it possible for one
of the commissioners TO hold over from
one administration and permits the
mayor and council to appoint but two
of the board at each change in tenure
of the mayors Office
Instead of making the appointments
commence all from one time it is sug-
geSted that two Of the commissioners
having the two year term be appointed
starting with july I while the third
member Of the board VIII be appointed
August 1. The former plan was to ap-
point all three members upon the first
OF April.
It is further provided that no mem
ber may be removed without due cause.
A meter inspection clause will be in
serted providing that all consumers of
city water who have complaints on
meter readings shall deposit a 81 fee for
testing. If the meter is more than 2
per cent off the city refunds the dol
lar and stands the cost of inspection, if
not the consumer forfeits the fee.
About 20 per cent of the complaints
which are received, states Superintend-
ent Shaw, have just grounds, the re-
naming 80 per cent have no basis on
investigation.
Restrictions with regard to extrava-
giant usage Of water viii also be en-
bodied into the ordinance. It is pro-
bable that a penalty will be provided
and the police department instructed to
make arrests for violations of the same
Section 6 of the Howe ordinance
which relates to the employees of the
department is being entirely revised.
The salaries which are to be paid to
employees are specified The same salar-
les which were paid by the old COM
pany are adopted.
Portions of the state law passed by
the last legislature regarding the man
agement of municipal waterWorks
plants is being utilized but the city at
torney has found bat little which
colId be worked in advantageously
Section which apparently meets the
approval of the waterworks committee
follows'
There are hereby created the fol-
lowing Official positions in the water
works department:
A secretary, cashier and bookkeeper
at salary of SIS per month.
a clerk at a salary of $40 per month.
A chief engineer at salary of 500
A second engineer at salary of $40
per month.
Two fremen, each at a salary of $55
A helper at a salary of $50 per
A foreman at a salary of $40 per
month.
A meter inspector at a salary of
S10.50 per week.
And the board of water works
trustees is hereby authorized to hire
such other employees and servants
from time to time as said board shall
deem actually necessary for the prop
er operation. repair and extension OF
said water plant; ana saiu podtu
shall nav such wages to such employees
and servants as are reasonable for ths
kind of work, and labor performed
The board shall appoint such secfe-
tary who shall also act as bOokkeepef
and cashier, and the city treasurer
shall be ex officio treasurer of the
hoard. The board shall also appoint
a competent superintendent, ana all
emploves. servants and agents. when
anDointed by said board, shall be un-
der the immediate direction, control
and mana uagement of the superintendent
of said plant. In making all appolnt
ments and hiring of officers, agents
and servants of the city in the water
works department, the board OF water
works trustees shall have regard alone
to relative capacity of applicants, thelr
moral physical and health qualihca-
tiOn and when appropriate, their quail
i6catiOns for manual labor. No at
tentfon shall at any time be given to
questions concerning political affllla-
tons or religious opinions. Whenever
vacancies occur in the service, the
place so vacated shal pe Hlleo' Il II
can be done suitably, by promotions
of employees in the lower grades OF
service. and no such officer. agent or
eupIove of the city, appointed and
hired bv said board, shall be removed
from service except for incapaclty or
neglect of duty, or in cases where
tl7ei1. -ernDIovment is only temporary
and their services no longer neeqeq;
The secretary and superintendent shall
each give bond in the sum of five thou
sand dollars (S5,OO0) to the city of
Topeka. to be approved by the mayor
and council conditioned for the faith
full performance of their respective
duties and for a true and faithful ac-
counting OF all moneys that may come
into their hands by reason OF their
positions.
A Dividend of 100 Per Cent.
o 1 A., Ifxrf-