The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-04
COMMITTEE FAVORS 1T
Three ofthe Members Said to Be
for Company.
Council Will Meet Monday to
Take Final Action.

A copy of the franchise ordinance
which the Topeka Edison company
wishes granted to them in lieu of their
present franchise was presented to the
council last evening but action was de-
ferred In a half hearted manner until
an adjourned meeting Of the council
next Monday.
The members of the council them
selves did not know what they wanted
to do-for after puncturing the at
mosphere with speeches they sat
around and waited for each other TO
act. Finally Councilman Simms
moved that the council adjourn and
on a second by Councilman Horne and
speeches calling for more mature con-
sfdsratfon at another meeting by
Counci1men Nipps and Hughes the
council decided that it did want to ad-
5ourn and shud1ed out of the council
chamber.
If somebody had started an ex-
cursion back into the council cham
berthe city fathers would have
probably followed just as readily
L. z. Myers, representing the Ed1-
son company, urged immediate con-
sideration Of the pending franchise
To accommodate him a meeting OF
special committee was arranged Tor at
2s30 this afternoon Ordinarily the
three members of the gas and cleo
trio lights committee but to give
broader representation a chance to go
over the terms of the franchise ordl-
nance a special committee was APP
pointed by the mayor consisting OF
Councilmen Green, Montgomery, Hol-
liday, Hughes and SwendsOn.
The complexion of the special com
mittee is favorable towards granting
the new franchise and it is to be in
farred from this that Mayor Davis is
OF the same mind. OF the committee
Councilmen Green, Holiday and
Swendson are credited withe believing
that the demand for a new franchise
is reasonable.
Councilman Montgomery probably
feels the same way but he has not en-
tirely stated his position. Councilman
Hughes scents some Interior motive IN
the demand of the Edison company
and believes that it should be delved
into thoroughly before it is granted
OF the other seven remaining coun-
cilmen, Nipps, Simms, JORDAN horne
and Sinner, believe that the proposed
franchise should be carefully investi-
gated Councilman Griley thinks the
request of the Edison company IS rea-
sonable and that the franchise should
be passed. Councilman Howe is prob
ably of the same mind, but his express
sion has not been secured-he IS con-
fined by sickness to his. home
A draft of the franchise was hled
main details it is entirely a revamp or
the present franchise Seven OF the
most important sections are either leKt
out or largely amended. In some in
stances the amendments are not un-
reasonable, in others consideration Will
have to be given before permitted to De
part and parcel of a live franchise.
The franchise ordinance was intro
duced along with another ordinance
r5rovfdfnz for the reconstruction of the
sixth avenue viaduct. Both went to
tn e special committee
A large number of residents from
East Topeka, the part Of the city most
afected by the closing of the viaduets
were on hand to applaud anything that
might be said scoring the closing up OF
the viaduct. J. E. Hurley, genera
manager Of the Santa Fe, and l.. f.
Myers Of the Edison company were also
present
Hurley and Myers Talk.
Mr.. Hurley was called on and stated
that his railroad would dig down into
its leans and help pay for the recon-
sfructIon Of the Viaduct provided the
CITY would agree never to come to them
for aid again for the same Vlaouct ana
that a further agreement should be
made that the city would MAINTAIN the
viaduct in good repair and make a care
full inspection of it each year
II have talked myself hoarse about
this viaduct," said Mr.. Hurley would
like 10 have the viaduct repaired and IN
use The city is at fault. It has not
kept it in repair and safe for use. If
the city would again contract and agree
to keep it in repair the railroad would
contrfbute I feel the railway has Of
fered all that it is right and fair for it
to do"
i. e. Myers followed and in addition
to reiterating what he stated in his
interview of yesterday said: Our posi-
ton Is identical with that of Mr.. Hur-
ley's but with one step further It's
a fact that all the money that we have
spent in the rehabilitation of the street
railway and building up the Edison
plant in the past five years has return
ed US mills per year in interest. Just
per cent in the five years
Mr. SWendson, followed by c. K. Hol-
Nday and Councilman William Green
stated in turn that they considered the
council had ample time to consider the
application for a new franchise imme-
dfately. They urged that the council
proceed to act on the franchise imme-
diateIy. Holiday caught on with his
Second ward friends in great shape,
they stamped their feet and clapped
their hands when he related that if he
had had the sole power the viaduct
would have been rebuilt long time ago.