The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-02
&C. r. MaunsslI Rstires From
Local Electric Field.
City Council Orders Return Of
His Forfeit.
HAS BEEN DISASTROUS
Two Members Of the New Com
pany Have Died.
Promoter Himself Was Near
Deaths Door.
AS BEEN DISASTROUS

Fatality after fatality has marked
the course of the Topeka Electrical
company. Sickness and death have
visited nearly every prominent mem
Der connected with the organization.
Disheartened by the bad luck which
has followed and been met at every
turn of the road. c. r. MaunseH, or
ganizer of the company, asked for the
return of the $2.50o forfeit money and
acknowledged that the plans of the
Topeka Electrical company have fallen
fat
No other business enterprise in To-
peka has been so i'll starred. First
came the death of David Overmyer,
attorney for the Topeka Electrical
company and one If its chief spirits.
This was followed in turn by the SICK
ness of Mr.. and Mrs c. r. Maunsell,
Mrs. Maunseu later dying, then came
the death of Warren NJ. Crosby, one
of the heaviest stockholders. Q. r.
Maunsell himself is still sick and has
been at the brink of death.
The franchise was only secured late
last spring after a terrific and bitter
Night against the Topeka Edison com
Sany who opposed the grant of the
franchise Maunsen was a former
superintendent of the Topeka Edison
company, and left his former en-
agreement. Personalities were brought
into play in the fight over the fran
chise grant and the famous Moler affi-
divit entered into council history
through this door.
Maunsen and later J. w. O'Neill
became associated in the attempt to
float the bonds of the company at
various points in the east. No great
success attended their efforts and with
the inroads which were made in the
ranks of some of the chief hackers by
death, it was decided to give over the
attempt to organize the company.
The franchise had still nine months
to run before ii could be forfeited. The
plant was to be in operation and $125,-
600 expended by that time before it
would be forfeited under the terms
named.
There was no particular objection
manifested towards making a return
OF the forfeit money, though Council
man c. E. Jordan opposed the measure
at first.
Holiday desired action Immediately
last evening. Jordan thought the mat
ter should go to a committee and said:
at thi-lr. that this should go to a COM
mittee.- I don't believe the business
men of the city want the business of
the city conducted in this manner.
This 81, 500 is in the hands of the city
and it belongs to the city. The ques- !
ton has two sides, sentiment and
business. I don't think it good bust
ness to establish a precedent of this |
sort"
ct voted against the franchise. but
This has been done before. A prece- |
dent has already been established
said Councilman Howe.
''I am surprised that Mr.. Jordan
sho1- be against this" said Holiday. |
''Mr. Maunseu has been the direct |
cause for the lowering of the rates. 1
ny it's the square thing to give back |
20 that sick man his money. It's no |
less than highway robbery to take his |
on the final vote no one opposed |
the passage of an ordinance returning |
the deposit.
The following ordinances were pass
Providing that the head Of city de-
partmeuts make out monthly requtsi- |
tons for supplies which shall be APP |
proved by the mayor.
Competitive bids for furnishing the |
are to be asked for by the |
mayor or city clerk.
A comparative monthly statement to |
be furnished by the city clerk before |
the 10Th of each month showing the |
current month. same month last fiscal |
year one to twelve months of current /
year and one to twelve months of last |
fiscal year.
Creating the office of meter inspec- |
tor.
Granting power to the board of park
to lease Garfield park /
for various purposes of entertainment |
where admission is charged.
Ordering that the street railway COM
pany tear up its track on Quincy street |
between Fifth street and Sixth ave
nue. and repave with brick temporarily |
and later with asphalt upon the resur- |
facing of the street.
Vacating 80 feet easterly and south
erIy along the south line of lot Is, FL
lott Place addition.
A flood of petitions for brick side