The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-16
SETTLED ONCE MORE.
City Council Again Disposes of the
Garbage Question.

After a struggle lasting over the
past several months the garbage and
desiccating ordinance with a few
amendments was passed by the city
council last night. This is the ordi-
nance under which the Topeka desic-
and whose attorney, John Abrahams,
was instrumental in framing It was
drawn up, however, under the super
vision of the board of health under the
former city administration and met
with their approval and recommended
ton. The fight on the passage Of the
ordinance existed from the attempt to
esta blish a municipal crematOry and
an attempt on the part OF the citizens
in the Second ward to get rid of the
plant because of its near proximity to
them on the river bank near Oakland.
The two Second ward cOuncilnen.
Holiday and Griley, have persistently
fought the passage OF the ordinance or
else attempted to secure its radical
amendment. The two councilmen,
who have been holding out for mu-
nicipal ownership, Councilman Green
and Councilman Ryder. gave way in
their opposition and supported the
passage of the ordinance last evening.
Councilman Ryder in explanat ton of
his stand said: Il want to explain my
vote in this matter. I have always be
Ieved in a municipal crematory con-
Quoted on scientific principles and do
still believe in it. But it is apparent.
that the city cannot afford to erect
such a plant and I am willing to vote
in favor of this ordinance believing
that it is the best thing that can be
done for the present and the city viii
nrObably be in a position to build one
i've years from now"
Councilmen Griley and Holiday en-
deavOred to secure the removal of the
plant of the Topeka Desiccating com
pany from its present site by amend
ing the ordinance prohibiting the cree
ton of a desiccating or crematory
plant within one mile from the city's
limits. This precipitated &, hot fight
Councilman Green said: This IS
simply a move to kill this ordinance,
gentlemen. I went out to the plant
today and was surprised to find in
what a good condition the plant is.
1t is constructed on scientific pr1n-
ciples and believe that as it is built
now the people across the street would
not know that a. crematOry was there =
Councilman Griley warned the mem
hers of the council Of the awful results
which would follow if the ordinance
was passed and some measure is not
taken to force the desiccating company
to move its plant from its present 10
cation. He quoted the threats which
have been current for the past five
months to the effect that the citizens
ia the Second ward would blow up the
plant with dynamite. 4 tell you, gen
tIemen if YOU don't make this change
making them remove their plant a mile
from the city's limits you won't have q
crematory. There have been rumblings
and threats going on for some time and
they mean business: Some OF these
DAYS YOU viii find there isn't any ere
matory there"
"Oh. that's simply a bluff" retorted
Councilman Green.
on a vote to amend the ordinance
making it compulsory for 'crematoTy
plants to build not nearer than one mile
from the city's limits the amendment
lost by a vote Of 4 to 8.
COuncilmen Griley, Simns, Ryder and
Holiday voted aye while Councilmen
Hughes SWendsOn, Sinner, Horn,
Howe. Green, Rice and Nipps voted no.
The ordinance as first drawn up pro-
vided for an annual license fee to be
paid to the city amounting to $500.
Councilman Ryder objected to such a
high license. He stated that the city
should not make the removal of the
garbage in the city a monopoly and
that a license fee of $500 would mean
q monopoly He urged for a reduction
to SIS. This was agreed to by the re-
manning members of the council
Councilman Holiday then urged that
q further amendment be made to the
ordinance not permitting the issuance
of license under the terms of the or
dinance for a longer period than five
years The ordinance stated not long
er than 20 years. The amendment was
adopted.
on the final vote for the passage of
the ordinance Councilmen Griley and
Holiday cast the only votes against the
The ordinance as passed fixes the fol-
lowing maximum rates for the removal
of garbage:
Horses, cows, skinned or
burned, each ......-. $3.50
Horses and cattle, each. 200
Hogs and calves. each. so
Dogs, fowls and cats. EACH. Is