The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-07-14
MYERS NOT sure.
Says He May Not Accept Edison
Amendments.
Objects Especially to Short Term
of Years.
LET HOLIDAY ALONE.
No Criticism of Second Ward
Councilman at Meeting.
Changes Made in Provisions Of
Consumers Franchise.

The expected flaying of Councilman
G. K. Holiday which the business men
were supposed to administer at their
meeting last night at the National no.
tel failed to materialize. The meeting
consumed all it's time upon a discus
sion of the Edison franchise which the
business men propose to recommend to
the city council this evening.
Consequently it failed to get within
touching distance of c. K. Holiday or
his ordinance and whatever objections
which have arisen to the passage of the
Consumers ordinance Will be voiced
at the council meeting this evening.
The presence of Mr.. L z. Myers of
the Topeka Street Railway company at
the meeting last night was significant
of the change in the ownership of the
plant. Hitherto any questions of
change in the rates or other portions in
the present franchise have always been
checked up to Mr.. Joab Mulvane, presi-
dent of the Edison company but last
night that position was assumed by
MI. Myers and the discussion over the
franchise included Mr.. Myers, who rep
resented the Edison company.
The ordinance as drawn up by City
Attorney Dreaming and David Over
myer under the directions of the bust
ness men provides for number of new
features aside from rates which are not
contained under the franchise which
was submitted to the council by the
Edison company. It provides for for
feiture of the franchise if any descrim-
nations regarding rates are discover
ed. 1t provides that the term OF years
shall be p for the life of the fran
chise It forbids the company to lay any
mains or pipes for water supply or
anything of that nature which would
tend to come in competition with the
city as a producer of water. In provid-
ing for the payment of 10 per cent of
10 per cent the city reserves the power
to make an examination of the books
of the company to verify the account
ing and semi-annual statement. This
last acts as a check upon the COM
pany. In previous franchises no pro-
vision is made for this inspection.
Inspection of meters by meter inspec-
tors under the hire and employ of the
city is specified in the franchise.
A new clause was inserted last night
prohibiting the sale or transfer of the
plant to any company, corporation or
individual outside of the state of Kan
sas without first securing the consent
of the citizens of Topeka to such trans
fer or sale.
The franchise was objected to in sew
eral particulars last night by Mr. Myers.
Il want to make it known at this time
that 1 have objections to a number of
those provisions" said he. Il want this
known now so that there will be no
charge of a breach of good faith or a
complaint that I remained silent when
I should have spoken"
1--WE have no power to change this
franchise now" said Mr.. Overmyer.
The citizens committee has expressed
its desires and we have simply followed
its orders in drawing up this franchise.
We can make no changes like you de-
sire. You will have to do that on the
floor of the council chamber. If you
succeed there all right and good
Mr. Myers objected to the following
items: to the term of years; to the re-
fusal to permit the laying of water
mains; he claimed that they desired the
right to lay pipes to cool water for con-
densation purposes: to an investigation
of the company's books to verify the
semi-annual statement of its earnings;