The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-23

HGOulAEGEAlEG we might nave mad the
paving down. don't want to be too
hard with Mr.. Dreaming. I thought at
first 1t was q case Of Overzealousness
but I think now it is simply perverse-
ness. / should Ike to have the opinion
of the councilmen on this"
Councilman GriIey: Il can't see how
a city of this size can afford to permit
It's council to go ahead with its city
attorney this way. The council ought
to have some one who would counsel
with it; a city counsellor. We must
have a, city counsellor. I move that
the mayor be empowered to appoint q
counsellor"
Mayor Davis: 7 don't want to take
such an action don't want to be
precipitate in this matter. I simply
want the council to instruct him to
give his legal opinions now and stop
at that 1 don't think that we should
act hastily and I believe we should
leave it with a committee
Councilman Holiday: II think that
some one should be in the Office who
would handle it with dignity. It should
be treated in a dignified manner
A motion to refer the matter to a.
committee of three was then made by
Councilman Nipps. 1--WE all have our
differences of opinion" said he. land
believe we can bring things around
to an understanding. I move that an
unprejudiced committee of three be
appointed"
The mayor appointed Councilmen
SwendsOn, Ryder and Nipps. The in
cident was then closed.
Lively Time Over Curbing.
1t was one Of the liveliest council
meetings of the year that took place
last evening. Charges of selfish interest
were made right and left by the coun-
cllmen who hurled personalities at each
other with all the vehemence at their
command. At times the feeling rose to
a bitter height. The speeches and argu-
ments were of the lurid red kind and
each councilman seemed to be endeavor-
ing to Guido the efforts of his colleague.
The interest in the first part of the
evening was centered about the attempt
Of Councilman Green to have the re-
port Of the streets and walks committee
upon the curb monopoly voted down
The committee in reporting upon a
resolution introduced by Mr.. Green
which called for the insertion of the
words, Fort Scott blue sand stone or
other curling equally as good or better
in all resolutions presented for curbing
recommended against it stating that
there were legal complications involved.
At the present time property owners
specify the character Of curbing which
they wish. Owing to the activity of
Fred Webster, the agent, the curbing
resolutions have almost without excep-
ton asked for Fort Scott blue sand
stone. Mr.. Green's resolution tended to
throw the award of the character Of
curbing with the council leaving them to
choose instead of the property owner.
The final action taken leaves the
streets and walks committee to fOrnlu-
late some action which shall govern the
awarding future contracts for curbing
and at the same time introduce the ele-
ment of competition more strongly.
Mr. Green was made the butt of the
fight. He made the first attack upon a.
resolution to curb Thirteenth street
from Polk to Taylor streets. The reso-
luton called for Fort Scott blue sand
stone. Mr.. Green endeaVored to have the
resolution changed. Failing in this he
tried to secure the defeat Of the report
of the streets and walks committee
which was adverse to his resolution to
amend future curbing resolutions.
He said in commencing his fight:
'4The petition contains a monopoly of
the curbstone proposition. There seems
to be no inclination on the part of the
COUNCIL to allow this competition to be
broadened. This council has the right
to reject any petition which does not
comply with the law. 1 think we
should reject this petition on this
ground, that it is illegal. We have
letter on file stating that the curbing
can be furnished at ten cents a llneal
foot cheaper than can be furnished
now. It should be rejected because it
has flaws. have no doubt whatever
that the petitioners will sign petitions
which have the words, Fort Scott blue
sandstone curling or other stone
equally good or better"
"The gentleman says that the petit
toners do not know what they are
asking for" said Councilman Ryder.
81 don't believe we should any more
make a change in the wording Of these
petitions for curbing than we would for
paving Unless we can show that they
have been hoodwinked or have been
acting in conjunction with the con-
tractors, I don't believe we should
make q change
Councilman Green: at goes with
out saying that If people can get the
LYONS county curling cheaper than
Fort Scott that they will ask for it.
What I ask for is competition l I'M
derstand that there is but one big quar-
~ and that all of this stone comes
from but this one.
There have been complaints reach
ing my ears to the effect that persons
interested in these curbing contracts
have been active in soliciting these
paving petitions. I don't believe that
these persons should have anything to
do with these petitions. Lets begin
right and lets end right.
Fred Webster, agent for the Fort
Scott curling, said: Il would like to
beg Mr.. Green's pardon but he evil
IDENTIFY misunderstood me. I said that
there were two large quarries in addi-
ton; in addition there are some FOUR
teen or fifteen small quarrles doing a
commercial business"
eff there is any curb or any other
business which wants to come in here
and do business they should come in
in the right way and make a demon
stration instead of writing a letter."
said Holiday.
Il wish to raise this question: said
Mr.. Green, that these paving petit
lions are invalidated from the fact that
the petitions were solicited by the par
ties interested in the curbing. I I'M
derstand that the city attorney has
had some complaint along this line and
a%"n EaE