The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-12
CALLS THEM DOWN.
Joab MulVane Writes Sharp Letter 90
Commercial Club.

After sharp passage with consid-
cradle feeling, the Commercial club
on Wednesday night, surreptitiousIy
klcked It's proposed interference in the
| Edison Electric Light company and
city council squabble, under the table.
Inc matter came up as a sequel to
a communication from the Edison
| company, in which the Commercial
gate the situation, were literally
scored. This committee consisted of
Judge 4. T. Carver. J. w. Robinson
| and Jonathan Thomas.
Upon the reading of the letter,
Judge Carver at once took the floor
ana went after the franchise. for
which the Edison company is asking
a thirty year life. He said that the
committee had investigated the situa-
uon pretty thoroughly and did not
sanction the proposed measure.
Mayor Bergundthal was present,
and getting the attention of the chair
stated that the city council is working
hard on the matter. and will do what
is right We are waiting" he said
until the legislative session is over.
during which time we expect some
new law to apply on the matter
e. r. Maunsen of the Edison Elec-
trio Light company spoke at some
length. saying that the proposed
franchise is all right, and that the
committee is wrong in its findings.
John E. Frost proposed that the
entire matter should be referred to a
committee. George M. Noble suggest
ed the appointment Of a new commit
tional members to the old committee.
J. w. Robinson got the floor and
went after the franchise with a two
edged sword. He declared that his
out but one man who was satisfied
with his electric light bill. TN most
instances" said Mr.. Robinson. "ner-
chants state that their bills have in
creased from 200 to 800 per cent with
in a few years.
BY this time matters were getting
pretty warm and almost everybody
wanted a say-so. P. I .Bonebrake
threw oil on the troubled waters by
getting the chairs attention and say
ing: Mr.. President, I move you that
the whole matter be laid on the
table"
On the table it went with a whoop.
J. W. Robinson then asked that the
committees verbal report be accepted
and its members discharged. This
The communication from the Edi-
son company follows:
T. J. Anderson. Secretary Commercial
whereas, The Commercial club
heretofore upon request of the city
council appointed a committee to con-
slider with the members of the city
Edison Electric Illuminating company,
asking for an extension of the fran
chfse Of said company; and.
Whereas, The said committee in so
far as it acted opposed the said ordi-
nance as submitted, and action there |
upon has been suspended; and,
Whereas, The said company has
made all proper effort to secure the
extension Of its franchise to the end
that it might enlarge and extend its
works to meet the growing demand
for power and light, and thus con- !
serve the public interest, and having
failed in securing the same, 1t is
therefore deemed proper to advise
your honorable body of said failure
and of the fact that the said COM
pany has now on file in its Office re-
quests for SIS horse power more than
it can supply and that without an ex-
tension of its franchise it is and will
be utterly unable to extend it's works.
1t is Wen known that many small
manufa cturers have not capital to in
stall boilers and engines. and that
electric power is to them both cheap
est and best. and that to install larger