The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-03

tee on the Topeka Edison franchise this
| council finally decided to pass over the
franchise until next Monday evening
and adopted the majority report.
/ The minority report signed by Coun-
| cliInen Horn and Jordan called for g
per cent payment of the annual gross
earnings OF the company to the city and
guarantee of $4,000. The majority re-
port left the amount of the guarantees
open and said nothing about the per
cent.
The fight was even enough to make
II very interesting one. On the first
trial of strength, those who were IA
vorably disposed to the minority re-
poned until Monday evening. Later in
the evening before the council adjourn
ed, the friends Of the majority report
got together, bolstered up their vote
and after counting noses decided to
try for a reconsideration and vote down
the minority report. Councilman Nfpps
made the motion to consider; a motion
was substituted to defer action until
Monday. The substitute motion was
lost, ayes-Councilmen Green, Howe,
Hughes, Horn and Jordan; noes-Coun-
cilmen Holiday, Montgomery, Nipps,
Sinner. Simms and Swendson.
Then the wrangle over the minority
report commenced. Il don't think the
council has any authority to abrogate
the state laws said Hughes. precipi-
tating the discussion over the per cent
phase of the minority report. THE
state saws 10 per cent of the net re-
ceipts after the company has made 10
per cent on its investment. I believe
this per cent is Illegal, don't think
it can be DONE"
Il believe that the decision of the
council was that this franchise was a
contract" put in Councilman Horn
T want to know what the city at
torney thinks, said Hughes.
My off hand opinion is that you had
hat clfr raf inc
TITS worthy of CAREFUL consideration.
Now If the 2 per cent should take in
some of the 10 per cent earnings which
is allowed bv the state laws we would
be up against it."
ct am not in favor Of the 2 per cent.
said Councilman Green. But II MI
Hughes is right we can't exact free
lights, we can't exact; anything. I don't
think there is anything in that"
Z am not in favor Of 2 per cent"
said Councilman Montgomery. We
have as low rates for electricity as any
one enjoys and this has been brought
about by this new franchise. If you
attempt this per cent you will de-
stroy all its benefits
Il think that the corporations which
are enjoying franchises should all be
made to pay and should be paying
something into the city, said Council
man Jordan. land make it possible to
lower the taxes. If these gentlemen
are going to benefit by improved ma
chinery and be able to lower the price
of electricity I don't see why they
should pay 2 per cent"
The mayor was. getting impatient at
this and said: s1t doesn't seem to me
that we are gettingoanywhere. It don't
make any dtffeTenfex which report you
adopt, this matter gan be threshed all
out when the franchise comes up. If
you want to put in this 2 per cent you
can make it in the form OF an amend
ment It's a useless waste of time to
fight over these reports"
On vote the minority report was
then defeate
Councilman Swendson introduced an
ordinance last evening which was re-
ferred to the gas and electric light
committee. putting in the same rates
in the Edison franchise that the Topeka
electrical proposes. This means 9 cents
for Iesidence lighting, cents for com
mercial lighting, power 5 cents except
in the case of electric elevators where
it shall be cents and to municipal
buildings cents. Mr.. Myers stated
some time ago.to the council that he
would accept asueheap amendment If the
new franchise to the new company
would not be passed.