The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-19
SHALL THEY VOTE
Question About Control of
WaterWOrks Undecided.
Several Councilmen Want to
Retain Control.
NOT TO THE PEOPLE.
Unlikely That the Question viii
Be Submitted.
viii Be Considered at the Meet
ing Tonight.
OF TO THE PEOPLE.

There is a fighting chance that the
council may move to submit to a vote
Of the people the waterworks law pass
ed by the last legislature. The PROPOSE
ton comes before the city council for
action this evening. If the special cleo
ton can be called and held without any
expense to the city by securing the ser
vice of volunteers on the election boards
five Of the councilnen will probably be
for it and possibly six. Two of the
councilmen, Hughes and Griley, are out
of the city and the vote of six council
men will beside the question.
The councilmen who are faVorabIy
disposed to holding a special election
on these terms are Horn, Green. Rice
Nipps and Swendson. Councilmen HoI-
lidays Ryder, Howe, Sinner and Sinans
will oppose the adoption of any motion
looking to the calling of a special cleo
ton. OF these five Sims is the only
ton. OF these five Sinms is the only
revision and it is possible that this
evening he may decide to vote in favor
Of such an election.
Councilmen Green and Swendson are
supporting the movement looking to a
management under the state law and
are in favor of calling an election at
this time regardless whether at the ex-
pense of the city or no, the remaining
three councilmen are persuaded largely
by the item of expense. Councilman
Simms has also weighed the matter of
expense. Councilman Ryder, Holiday,
Howe and Sinner are dissatisfied with
the law as passed by the legislature.
Councilman Howe said:
This is yet tentative matter I be-
lieve it would be great deal wiser for
the council to operate the WaterWorks
under an ordinance rather than to bind
themselves to a state law. The state
law, too, is defective in many partic-
ulars. This is generally conceded by
every one. I think it would be wiser to
operate under an ordinance appointing
a board of commissioners in accordance
with the provisions of such an ordi-
nance. You will be getting the same re-
suits as if you had adopted the state
law without binding yourself fixedly to
its faults or disadvantages. I think
that the city attorney should be instruct
ed to draw UP an ordinance providing
for the mana cement of the waterworks
plant or for that matter the present
ordinance now pending would be all
right and then let the city council adopt
such an ordinance, I think it should
be placed in the hands of q board of
commissioners as soon as possible
Councilman @. K. Holiday said: 1.-The
people want rates and extensions. They
were promised that and they should
have them. HaH de-5ious think the peo-
pie will secure them when you place the
sole power of control in a board of COM
give an imperial board of three every
thing to say and take the right of the
people to dictate what shall be done
away from them. Let the people have d
voice. Pass an ordinance providing for
the management and leave some of the
power and voice with the council and
the people and not entirely with board
of men who can do as their sweet will
dictates
Councilman swendson said in defense:
ffrt~4-.- I y
suppose that a board of commissioners,
prominent and capable business men
will make unfair rates. Do you think
that they won't make as fair rates as
the council? I don't. believe that the
board will be able better than the coun-
Gil to fix equitable rates"
Councilman Nipps states that he is
inclined towards a board of commits
sioners but feels that the matter of sub
hitting an election should be held off
for a time, but if the election can be
called without expense he feels favora-
bic towards such motion.
Councilman Rice said this noon: THE
people seem to want this election and
am willing that they should have II.
However, I don't believe they fully re-
alize what the les contemplates and if
they did don't believe they would vote
for it,
Councilman Sinner is not worried
about the matter of expense attached
!
DIV does not like the proposed law with
reference to the specifications it makes
regarding extensions. He believes that
extensions should be made aside from
basis of the revenues which it would
bring in. that a petition properly sign
ed should be sufficient to secure extern
sfons The reason that Mr.. Sinner
takes such a strong stand on this par
ticular phase Is on account Of the small
ness of the distribution of mains IN his
ward, the Fifth.
Councilman Simms states that he is
undecided which way he will vote this
evening. IT don't think a special cleo
| toin should be called if it is going to
cost something. But I don't see any
reason for any haste now. Why can.
they operate for year under an ordi-
nance?"
In case of the defeat of the resolution,
| introduced by Mr.. Green to call spec
! ial election, an effort will be made to
call up the ordinance providing Tor {ne
rnanagernent. which has been pending
| before the council.