The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-23
FIVE ARE FOR IT.
Rest of CounciImen Want Edison
Franchise Modified.

The question of the Edison franchise
viii come up for consideration at this
/ evenings meeting of the council; a
special session to consider this matter
alone There is no expectation THAI
the franchise viii be settled finally this
evening, the majority of the council
men are in favor OF considering 1t at
some length and at a number of ses-
sions of the council.
The council is somewhat divided over
the adViSability of passing the Ordi-
nance. Indications point to Eve coun-
cilmen for the ordinance, as it now
stands, to seven against.
Councilmen hughes Green, Ryder
Simms, Sinner, are the members of the
council who are holding out strongly
for important notifications and amend
ments in the franchise, as proposed
now, while Councilmen Rice, Holiday,
Howe and SWendsOn are as strongly in
favor of the franchise as it is drawn
up and against any attempt al reduc-
ton in the maximum or minimum fix
ed charge.
Counciimen Horn, Griley and Nipps
propose that amendments should be
made but are against anything which
might be termed radical
Councilmen Hughes, Green, Ryder
and Sinner believe that the demands
formulated by the business men are
in the main correct and fair. Council
man Sinner even believes that they
have been too moderate in what they
are asking.
Councilman Horn doesn't believe
that any maximum rate should be
specified but thinks a fiat rate should
be inaugurated. He is opposed to a
thirty year franchise and in favor Of
holding down the term of the fran
chise to a length Of ten years, as the
business men demanded.
Councilman Simms thinks that a IS
cent or a 1919 cent maximum rate
should be put in with a. rs cent mini
fiT~ad '0hara thinks
year franchise is about right.
Councilman Griley is holding for
a number of amendments. He hasn't,
however, a very clear idea as to what
he wants, but thinks that some modi-
hcatiOns should be made, especially to
safeguard against discrimination. He
thinks a twenty year franchise is
proper and is inclined to think that a
Is cent rate is rather high for a max
imum. Further than that he hasn't
anything to suggest but Will wait for
developments.
Councilmen Rice, Howe, Swendson,
Holiday all think that the franchise
proposed for passage is equable and
should be passed without any change.
All of these men are in favor of
thirty year franchise.
Councilman Nipps thinks that the
Edison representatives and the busi-
ness men should make some sort of
compromise. He is not in favor of
the franchise in its present form and
states that he will not vote for it IN
less it is modified. He favors a ten
year franchise. The argument for the
granting of a short time franchise is
that improvements will probably take
place in that time with regard to the
manufacture of electric light and
power and that it can be consequently
produced much more cheaply. The
feeling with the council is that a fran
chise should be granted but that it
should not be based on the terms of
the one proposed. Discrimination and
inspection of the electric meters by the
city are two items which are insisted
upon by a majority of the members of
the council