The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-06
END TO The CRAFT
Kansas Avenue Property Owners
Raise Their Voices.
Want Money Used for Paving
and Nothing Else.
THE WAYS AND MEANS.
Insist on Asphalt and Only
Question Of Method.
Appreciate the Importance of
Early Action.
HE WAYS AND MEANS.

Paving without graft is the way the
Kansas avenue property owners voiced
themselves at their meeting held last
night at the Commercial club rooms.
A committee of three, consisting of
NJ. snattinger, c. E. Jewell and A. A.
GODDARD was appointed to investigate
thoroughly the scheme OF repaving
Kansas avenue with asphalt. with or
without a municipal plant and to Sc
cure the cooperation of the city coun-
ell.
The dominant note of the whole of the
discussion which was precipitated was
that the property owners want to get
the full benefit of whatever money they
expend for paving. and to eliminate the
danger Of graft.
Jonathan Thomas was elected as
chairman and C. E. Jewell acted in the
capacity of secretary. In stating the
object of the meeting Mr.. Jewell said:
After Mr.. Dreaming passed these petit
tions for repaving to have them signed
a. number of the gentlemen decided that
it was best to call a meeting and dis
cuss the steps which 1t would be advis-
able to take.
It am told that there are 500 feet
more than are necessary to pave Kan
sas avenue from Third to Tenth streets
upon that petition"
why any councilman should act con-
trary to the wishes Of the people If the
matter is presented properly, I can't
imagine. said Mr.. Jonathan Thomas.
There are two things on which the
council seems to stick. one is the item
Of maintenance and the other the
purchase of municipal asphalt plant
explained Mr.. Jewell.
1T seems to me-" said b NJ. Davies,
that If the property owners on Kansas
avenue are willing to spend SIS per
fronting lot. they ought to have some
assurance from the city that 1t would
be maintained. We surely pay enough
money into the general improvement
fund to take care of Kansas avenue. /,
for one, don't propose to go into expense
unless we have the assurance that 1t
will be maintained.
There seems to be a wrangle between
the city attorney and the council. Now
it seems to me that the city attorney
has gone into this and that he knows
what he is talking ab0uS. The hitch now
seems to me to be between the council
and the property owners. The council
does not want to buy a plant In talk
ing about maintenance it seems to me
that all heavy hauling should be kept
off Kansas avenue
Mr. s. S. OFT said: 'I understand
that there are several lawyers il the
city who would be willing on a percent
age basis to take up this contract for
repairs which the Barber Asphalt COM
pany has with the city. if an attempt is
made to purchase a plant. I understand
that the contract has about a year to
run yet It would be well to look into
this and see what this contract is like
and whether we could be held to it.
Il move you that a committee of
three be appointed and that the follow
ing be an outline of what they shall
take up They should investigate this
contract. whether there is a chance OF
a legal contest; the proba BILE cost of the
construction and erection of an asphalt
plant.
They should consult with various
members of the council and see where
the trouble is; why the council opposes
the purchase of municipal asphalt
plant
II think the committee should find
the cost per lot for paving with as
phalt. If it is going to cost more than
So I want to know it, said b NJ
Il would rather pay 1923 for as
phalt than for brick" said jonathan
Z would rather pay a dollar and
have the city do the work than to pay
IS cents to contractor, said G. r.
Jewell. There has never been a con-
tract for asphalt pavement that has
been devoid of fraud
Mr. Thomas: Il would like to know
if that gentleman is here who said he
would take his name off the petition If
it would cost a dollar?'
81 don't think a feeIer should be put
out" said B. NJ. Davies. That's not
business This is not question of how
much we Will pay but how little
II understand that Barber contract
for repairs will be out in a year from
now and rather than run into any legal
difficulties probably we had better
wait" said S. S. OFT
1--WE would be drowned by that
time answered Mr.. Thomas.
ct believe that the city can't do this
work ventured P. I. Bonebrake.
ssThat is I understand that under the
law it hasn't got the right.
IT don't see why; we bought that
water works and are running it" said
Mr.. Davies Il have a great deal of
faith in the council: I think they are
really in favor of asphalt. I believe
thew will put their shoulders to the
wheel Let's not have anything to do
with the Barber company. They did
US once. Do we want to let them do
US again -
NJ. Snattinger: Il am satisfied from
appearances that the Barber company
simply used old asphalt in repairs on
Kansas avenue. If we are to be
deal rather have the work done by
people here than outside
s'These property owners. said NJ
Bonebrake, will have a fight on their
hands with some of these councilmen
Three or four of the councilmen are
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