The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-14

city paid and padding it up wherever
it was not too palpable to the ordinary
eye the city was forced to pay fol
contracted work not existing and moi
done. In some instances, however, il
is stated the work was actually done
where it was not demanded, as in the
case of a catch basin in the alley west
Of Harrison street on Huntington ave-
nue.. The catch basin was entirely
too low and the water would drain
into the cellars of adjoining houses
1t was placed too low to drain into
the sewer for which it was con-
structed.
Mr.. GilmOre's Letter.
In letter to Councilman Jordan
which follows Gilmore asks for an i'm
mediate investigation. He says:
II am Informed from several sources
that Won and the council are under the
impression that there has been some
crooked work done or some of MY con-
tract work done on some of my con-
tracts with the city of Topeka. 1 am
also Informed that there is contemplat-
ed investigation to be held to which 1
will say that the same cannot be held
too quickly to suit me.
For at the present time the city is
Indebted to me in the sum of nearly
$500 for which I shall soon present my
voucher. This has been a long time due.
I have deferred action in the matter on
the frequent promises of the city engi-
neer TO straighten the matter up. Bur
L seem to be no nearer a settlement
than 1 was year ago. / believe there
is something in connection with this
matter which is not straight and in JUS
tice to myself I desire this matter ta-
ken up at once by the city council and
investigated. Not being an
engineer do not fully understand their
methods, but 1 with several other con-
tractors in the city have been compell-
a l.
neering department which are an in
Justice to ourselves and 1 believe an
unjust burden upon the tax payers,
there having been frequent demands
made upon me for sums of money by
the engineering department which were
wholly unjust and had they been paid
in full would have more than taken our
profits.
In order to get along with the engi-
neering department and obtain our
rights under our contracts we have
been obliged to put up to the engineer
sums of money for. as he claims, work
not performed as per plans and specifi-
or as perhaps you will under
stand it better the claims are under
that excavations have not been made to
the depth shown on the profile. While
we claim that all work has been done
according to the full requirements or
the city engineer and all wor,- having
been performed under his personal di-
rection or that of his assistants. l
stand ready to meet the committee of
the city council designated for the pur-
pose of investigating this matter and to
the best of my ability assist
them in thoroughly sitting this
matter in placing all responsible
ity where it belongs. I have been at
work on contracts for the city of To-
peka for several years I have never
failed to complete any contract that
have and according to the direction of
the city engineer at all times and Mr..
Jordan if you so desire it, will assist
you in every way that 1 can to prevent
any further unjust burden being placed
upon the contractors and tax payers OF
the city of Topeka. Yours truly,
I'M w GIL MORE"