The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-23

to stir up a little dust over the recon
struction of the viaduct which has now
been closed to traffic for two months.
II saw Mr.. Hurley, general manager
Of the Santa F'e, who is also a director
IN the street railway and he promised
that the railroads would do their share
towards rebuilding the viaduct He
said that they would pay one-half If
the rebuilding would cost $4,000 and the
same If it would cost $4,000. He adj
vocated the larger amount, however,
because 1t would not be necessary to
repair the bridge at such an early date
again" said Mr.. Holiday. You will
have to take some action first however
You can't expect that the railroads will
start first. They don't have to have the
bridge and they could let ii rotten as
Tar as they are concerned. We will have
to take the first step and make the first
move
Following this statement Holiday
made a motion instructing the city
clerk to advertise for bids based on the
estimate for the work made by the city
engineer.
The estimate, however. was unaceom-
panied by either plans and specifications
and the question was Immediately rails
ed whether bids could be asked upon
simply the estimates of the cost. The
council voted to take a recess while a
meeting Of the ways and means COM
mittee was called to consider this ques-
ton
As the result of this conference the
committee recommended a resolution
made by Councilman Griley instructfng
! the city engineer to prepare plans and
specifications upon consultation with
the bridge engineers of the interest rail-
road companies. This resolution was
reported back to the council and adopt
ed. Holiday withdrew his motion call
ing for bids.
Aside from Councilman Holiday,
however, none of the other members of
the council have received any intina-
ton from the Missouri Pacific, Santa Fe
or Street Railway companies whether
they would willingly share in the ex-
pense of repair L. E. Myers, of the
Street Railway company, has been try
Ing to lineup the two railroad compan-
les On q promise but nothing has been
heard from him within the last few
days.
The city council feels that the rail-
road companies are interested in the
maintenance of the viaduct and should
share in the cost of the rebuilding
Councilman Holiday has been added
to the special subcommittee of the
ways and means which has the viaduct
matter in charge.
The contract for the repaving of
Kansas avenue must be followed as
provided for under the contract made
with the Parker-WashingtO Paving
company. Instructions of this nature
were given to the city engineer last
I evening. This means that the stone
/ headers will have to go in and the oak
] plank headers must be removed. It
/ viii also leave the intersections of
Kansas avenue and Fifth street and
Kansas avenue and Second street in
I their present condition. A stretch of
/ cobble stone pavement exists at each
/ Of these intersections and property
] owners wanted this taken up and re-
paved with the asphalt This was not
4 provided for in the original contract
/ and the additional cost would amount
/ to several hundred dollars. The coun-
/ ell suggested that the property own
ers should waive the stone headers
I and that in return the two intersec-
/ tions would be repaved. The property
! owners committee demurred. The DIFF
ference has been left hanging and tn e
action taken last night by the council
will finally bring the discussion to a
| termination.
The first step towards securing some
Of the needed legislation which 81 ow-
/ ing Topeka has had impressed upon it
was taken last evening when the coun-
ell adopted a resolution calling upon
/ the mayor to appoint a special 1egisla-
| tive committee of five to formulate
plans to secure desired legislation for
/ this city.
There is quite a large amount Of
legislation which the city has discover
ed would be desirable and even most
necessary If it is to secure the best
/ results of municipal government in the
years to come. The resolution intro
duced by Councilman Swendson and
adopted follows:
Whereas, Many matters Of interest
to the city of Topeka VIII no doubt be
present to the state legislature at the
/ coming session, and there is some leg
3slation In the interest Of the people
that the mayor and council should aid
In securing, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the mayor and conn-