The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-24
GAS WAR IS on
Continued from First Page.)

NGCnLlnuEQ from FIRST EaLSGsl
meetings were held last night, the larg-
est OF which took place at the BOurSe.
Can't Force the Mayor.
According to the programme of the
leaders the o. G. l. bill viii be passed
over the mayors veto at the next
stated meeting on June l. What good
this viii do cannot be seen, for the bill
is merely an authorization for the
mayor to enter into a contract on be-
half of the city with the United Gas
Improvement company. If he does not
wish to do so he will not have to sign
the contract. for the Ruliitt charter
distinctly says that councils shall not
interfere or direct the mayor or heads
Of departments in the exercise of their
executive functions.
IF the leaders plan to authorize any
other officers, for instance, to sign the
contract the mayor could show how
earnestly he is opposed to the bill by
promptly dismissing that officer, be-
fore he had time to enter into the
agreement. But if the bill were to
Controller Walton, who is elected by
the people, he would be beyond the
mayors power.
When it comes to a question Of over
ruling the mayor by voting to pass the
bill over his veto it is believed that
several more councilmen will join the
ranks of the thirteen men who had
the courage to stand out against the
organization. That they will not be
enough to prevent the leaders having
their plans carried seems almost GER
tain. The whips in councils are per-
Iectly confident that they viii be able
to do anything they wish with the bill.
Some Of the councilmen who voted
for the lease are having unpleasant
timeE of it with their constituents. For
instance, Selectman Koran, of the
Ninth ward, and Richards, of the
Twenty both of whom are in
Tod Ia
jeers and cries of Shame" when they
appeared the Commercial exchange
Pupils of the Germantown academy
burned the ef1gy of Select Councilman
Edwards, of the Twenty-secOnd ward
People Are Aroused.
According to the plans of the COM
mittee of nine every ward in the city
viii be organized against the gas lease.
Meetings will be held in many differ
ent places and mucn literature will be
sent out to voters urging them to rise
UP against and strike at the men who
favored the bill. The committee will
hold a conference every day
The various WOmen's societies of tn
Baptist church have taken it upon
themselves to communicate with Mrs.
Weaver with the view of having her
use her influence on her husband to
stand firm for the people in this fight
Tt is also asserted that the Baptist
Ministerial association will take up the
matter and urge Mr.. Weaver to fight
to the last ditch for the defeat of the
gas grab.
From mouthpieces of the gang came
the story that if Mayor Weaver went
TOO far and dared to dismiss Directors
Costello and Smyth impeachment pro-
Cee dings would promptly follow. The
men who are lined up with the mayor
in this fight and the mayor himself. it
was learned, had not only heard this
kind Of talk but had laughed at it and
declared that it would fail utterly in
making any impression on Mr.. Weaver.
David J. Smyth, former director of
public safety, fled a petition in the
court of common pleas today asking for
an injunction restraining Mayor Weaver
from removing him from office and also
asked for an injunction restraining Col
Sheldon Potter from acting as director
of public safety.
The same proceedings were taken by
Peter z. Costello. former director OF
public works against the mayor and A
Lincoln ACker who vas appointed tC
the office yesterday by the mayor.