The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-27
they WILL SEE.
Council Accepts Invitation Of the
Edison Company.
viii Investigate Conditions in
Other Cities.
CREATEDSOMEFEELING
Members Objected to Company
Paying the Expenses.
Books Won't Be Opened to the
Council.

The Edison Electric Illuminating
company last night returned written
reply to the resolution passed by the
council Tuesday evening asking for an
investigation of the books and accounts
of the company and formally refused
to accede to the demands of the cOun-
ell.
In the same letter which declines per
mission to the council to investigate the
Edison company's accounts a counter
proposition was submitted in which the
company offer to take a committee Of
three or five councilmen appointed by
the mayor on a junketing tour to in
Vestigate rates in other cities of like
size, situation and where like condi-
tons prevail.
The answer of the company was sub
mitted to the city council which met
last night to consider al further length
the Edison franchise AS far as accom-
plishing anything is concerned the cOun-
Gil meeting might be termed q failure.
In the first place the council was in
muddle over a failure to observe parlia-
mentary procedure at the time of the
adjournment Tuesday evening. While
discussing the franchise at that time
the council resolved itself into a COM
mittee of the whole and while in that
position adjourned a privilege which
does not belong to committee of the
whole. There was some question last
night whether the council meeting was
simply continuation of the commit
tee of the whole or whether it was sim
ply an informal meeting of the council
to discuss the matter of a franchise.
The latter opinion finally prevailed
though for a portion of the time the
council was operating as a committee
of the whole. Seven sections of the
franchise were considered during the
evening. After amending section one with
reference to the paragraph relating to
the laying of pipes and cOnduits, that
no system of water mains for private
or public use should be included, action
was deferred on section one because of
the question of the term of years of the
franchise which is contained in this sec
ton. The term of years will not be
fixed until the rates have been settled
upon.
Sections two. three. four and FIVE were
adopted without comment Section six
was partly amended. All of these sec
tions have never been subject to any ma
terial discussion and relate merely to the
manner of laying the mains, pipes, etc,
and other technicalities of minor i'm
pOrtance. On section Z the council fell
down as usual This contains the ques-
ton of rates. superintendent Maunseu
secured the floor and tried to explain
why the company could not alter its
rates. A number of the citizens who
are opposing the rates presented got up
and explained their situation and fired
questions t Mr.. MaunSeu. This with
speeches from Attorney DOran for the
company and David Overmyer for the
people sandwiched in between constitut-
ed the larger part of the evenings fea-
lures up until 1870.
The only time when the action of the
council became pertinent was when the
offer of the 1unketing trip proposed by
the Edison company came up for ac-
ceptance. Councilman Horn moved
that the offer be rejected. He said: ct
don't believe it is right for the council
20 go on this trip. If we are going to
examine into this matter we ought to
pay our own expenses. If the city can't
pay them we should not go at aU''
Councilman Green said 4 favor Mr..
Horns motion. We are going to place
ourselves under the obligation of this
company If we accept their offer 1t is
Ike these lobbyists at the legislature.
They pay the expenses of trips around
and pay for the champagne suppers and
when the legislators come back they
feel kindly to the lobbyist We have
asked this company to furnish US with
certain Information so that we can fix
their rates. They refuse and come back
with this sort Of scheme. don't think
we should have anything to do with
st."
David Overmyer arose: ITS not pro-
per, it's indicate, it's dishonest It's
certainly q most delicate matter for
public officials TO 90 riding about at the
expense of a corporation"
Councilman Ryder said. Il don't SEE
why we should want to travel to othel
cities to investigate conditions to fl
rates for a home company. We have
here one Of the most complete electri
cal plants Of its size in the country
Why should we want to so elsewhere
We are to fix rates for a compan!
based on local conditions and vet WI
are to go out Of town to other local.
ties where conditions are different t.
find out what rates for this compan!
are right"
Attorney Doran said: It made thi
proposition myself. I made it honestly
made it with every honest intention
in my body. It is not dishonorabIe
Re not dishonest. It is not indelfcat
and It is entirely proper for the propo
sition to be made We are anxious t
have fair rate and we want to Civ
you every opportunity Of securing tn