The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-15
They MUST WAIT.
Contractors on Melan Bridge
Are Called Down.
Must Allow Pipes to Be Put in
Concrete.
AFRAID OF PENALTY.
Builders Show Disposition to
Become Excited.
Mr.. Shaw Says That He Is Ready
With Pipes.

Councilman Simms reported to the
members of the council last night that
he had heard the assistant foreman, in
charge of the cement work on the new
span of the Melan bridge, say that the
concrete bed would be placed on the
span before the water and gas pipes
were laid
This would mean that the concrete
would then have to be torn up to allow
the pipes to be laid. The understanding
with the contractors was that the pipes
should be laid before the concrete is
spread, but Mr.. Simms understood that
as the contractors were somewhat
frightened by the possible penalty of
SO day that they would not wait for
pipes.
There has been a good deal of talk
about this penalty" said MI. Simms,
and 1 heard this afternoon that the
contractors would put in the concrete
before the pipes are laid. think COM
mittee should investigate this"
Mayor Davis suggested that the
streets and walks committee look into
the situation. Superintendent Shaw re-
ported that the water pipes are ready
to be laid whenever the bridge con-
tractors say the word and Councilman
Holiday reported that the gas COM
pany has pipes ready to lay Immediate
ly.
The contractors were supposed to be
ready for the pipes to be laid last
Saturday" said Superintendent Shaw.
and we were ready to lay them but no
notice came for us to do the work The
contractors were not ready"
Councilman Simms introduced
resolution before the council last night,
which was adopted, ordering that the
work of printing and publishing the
newly compiled city ordinances, if pub
Hshed, be done wholly in Topeka and
that bids from out of town firms for
any of the work be rejected.
II do not know that it is best to
adopt such a resolution" said Coun-
Gilman Green. I'VE receive all bids
subject to rejection. Sometimes print
ers get together and up goes the cost.
IT close together [ would always favor
the home firm
I'VE can go to New York and get
this work done for one-fifth of what it
Will cost in Topeka, or, we can go to
st. Louis and get it done for one-half,"
said Mr.. Simms. There are houses en-
ploying youns, unskilled girls, and
they are looking for just such snaps
as this. The printers in Topeka num-
Der into the hundreds and 1 favor bids
and work from Topeka"
The ordinances, if published, will be
published by a Topeka firm.
letter was received by the council
from G. T. Mcclellan, division superin-
tendent of the Santa Fe, informing the
city fathers that the last legislature
Rcccc0 Il law requiring lIldl All wires,
crossing railroad tracks, be hung at
least 25 feet above the rails. He
called attention to city electric light
and fire alarm wires, crossing Santa
Fe tracks, which hang less than IS
feet from the tops of the rails.
City Clerk Squires informed the
council that a clerical error had been
made in the estimate for paving on
the south side of Sixth street between
Horne and Haynes streets and that the
amount should be $1,046 instead of
1864 as stated. The council ordered
the correction.
A petition was received praying for
Topeka avenue and st. John street
North Topeka, from st. John street
west to the city limits to connect with
the Rochester cemetery road macadam
laid in the country by the county.
Councilman Ryder explained that such
q macadam roadway in the city would
give a continuous macadam driveway
to Rochester cemetery. The petition
WAC referred to the committee on
streets and walks.
The Shunganunga's sometimes
peaceful waters bobbed up again and
a petition was read. signed by H. D.
McNeely, asking that the creek below
Fourth street be cleared of debris to
prevent overflow.
The committee on health reported
mat the committee. after due delibera-