The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-03
WILL GO SLOW.
Council Takes Conservative PO-
sition on Paving.
To Keep Within Limit Of Pres
ent Taxation.
ONE FORWARD STEP.
Petitions for Repairing Kansas
Avenue Presented.
Show the Necessary Majority Of
TD~.-,a.,<-- fsvrr1orsr
Show the Necessary Majority of
Property Owners.

The feeling among several Of the
councilmen became strained to Sc
we're tension last evening in an endea-
cor to limit the amount Of new paving
for the year. A strong effort was
made OBJ the part Of the minority to
keep the paving within 80 blocks and in
making their arguments the good ma
ture OF sevral of the city fathers
wag lost.
A resolution was introduced by Coun-
Gilman Howe which called for a limit
II 20 blocks. A substitute motion was
then introduced by Councilman Green
which provided that the amount of
paving will be limited 50 that the
amount Of taxes for the year 1906 will
not be increased. How many blocks
this will provide for IS merely specu-
1ative. It VIII have to be estimated
from the figures Of the city engi-
neer.
S. A. Swendson, leader of the opposi-
ton forces, holding out for the full
amount Of paving as first recommend
ed took a peculiar stand. Though ac-
knowledging that It might possibly be
wise not to do as much paving this
year he claimed it wasn't consistent on
TIE E1RAe "a Liz EOUutAl 10 40 DaCk ON
lis nrst action in accepting the streets
and walks committees recommendation
in GaVor of a 80 block schedule
Councilman Swendson said: Il have
uniformly opposed in the past an ex-
CeSsiVe amount OF paving az7d [ don't
believe that this year We should do an
excessive amount Of paving so that the
taxes would be increased. II you will
remember this matter was referred
regularly to the streets and walks com
n1fTnp nv the council CIV nd
walks committee took It up and re-
ported to the council that the amount
Of paving should not exceed 80 blocks
exclusive of Kansas avenue. This re-
port was approved and I don't con-
sistently see how we can act thus now
to come In after we have encouraged
the people to come IN and petition for
new paving"
nj talking about Inconsistency have
this to say that when I have found I
have made mistake I have the cour-
age to go back and reotify it," said
Councilman Howe. Certainly these
people have a right to petition but GER
tainly the remaining people who bear 40
be considered"
THE city at large pays about 40 per
cent of this pavement said Mr. Green,
'and don't think that it is right for
the council to impose a burden on these
people-an amount in excess of prev
ious years"
II think that we ought 10 give our
working people something to do said
Swendson defending his position for
the original schedule. I'VE are now
quibbling over $4,000 while the average
has been $4,000. We ought to give
consideration to our working people. It
may Increase our taxes, it is true, a mill
or two"
The Green resolution was then adopt
ed by the following vote: Ayes-Coun-
cilmen Green, Rice. Howe, Hughes and
Nipps. Noes - Councilmen Simms,
Griley, Sinner and Swendson-
Mr.. Green's resolution follows:
Whereas. the rate Of taxation in our
city is so high that the payment thereof
is burden to many Of our citizens,
and whereas, to increase such rate
would be a menace to the growth and
prosperity Of our city; therefore be 1t
resolved by the mayor and council Of
the city OF Topeka, that no pavement
shall be authorized for during the year
1905 exclusive of the pavement Of Kan
sas avenuel that win make it necessary
to raise the tax levy for the payment
Of the eity's portion thereof"
Kansas Avenue Petitions.
The Kansas avenue property owners
last night submitted their petition for
the paving Of Kansa avenue with the
city council. 1t was referred to the
streets and walks committee
The signatures of the property own
ers attached to the petition represent
ed $500 nneaI feet OFT Of a total of
about 5000. Only one-half is neces-
sary to secure the favorable consider
alton OF the petition.
I'VE could have secured more" said
r G. Dreaming, city attorney. who has
been securing the signatures, s'but we
thought that was sufficient. You will
notice that 1t calls for sheet asphalt
leaving it as open as possible to com
petition. However, the property own
ers viii hold out for the best kind OF
asphalt and they viii not consider the
cost as being the prime essential. rath-
er good asphalt"
4 signed statement Of the property
owners committee was filed with the
council together with the petition The
statement follows:
We the undersigned resident owners
Of real estate fronting and abuttinE on
Kansas avenue in the city Of Topeka
hereby respectfully petition your hon
oraDle body to repave Kansas avenue
from the south curb line OF Crane
street to the south line Of Tenth ave-
nue., excepting therefrom Kansas ave-
nue. from tiie north curb line Of Third
street to the south curb line Of Fourth
street, with sheet asphalt, said repay
ing to be 80 feet wide excepting that
part occupied by the street railway
tracks and cutters.
The committee of property owners,
appoint q committee, Consisting Of the
Kansas avenue with asphalt, respect
fully request your honorable body to
appoint a committee. consisting of the
city engineer and such members of the
nr 0a