The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-16
SEWER USELESS.
Councilman Jordan Makes a
Startling Statement.
Seventeen Hundred Feet Cam
not Be Used.
CALL In CONTRACTORS.
All VIII Be Examined Concern
ing Relations With City.
Mr.. Gilmore Makes Affidavit
Concerning Mr.. McCabe.

Seventeen hundred feet of the Fifth
ward sewer is declared to be so con-
structed to be practically out of
service and not fit for what it was
originally intended. This is the as
sertien of Councilman c. E. Jordan.
Mr.. Jordan states that City Engi-
neer McCabe in raising the sewer in
places has caused LOO feet of 1t to
change SO in grade that it will no
longer deliver the sewage as it should.
That the present system of handling
sewer contracts and getting up the
plans invites graft, is the assertion of
Councilman Green.
These are two features brought out
by the investigation pending as to al
legged extortion and graft in the office
OF city engineer.
Councilman Jordan stated today
that he considered it imperative upon
the investigating committee to make
a tour of inspection of the Fifth ward
sewer and discover for itself the ex-
act conditions.
Councilman Green insists that the
city must change the present system
which it has formulated and follow
ed for years in letting sewer con-
tracts.
''It is no stigma on Mr.. McCabe but
the present system invites graft said
Mr.. Green. Mr.. McCabe has moth
ing to do with the system which we
follow. We should change it at once
and let the contracts for sewer work
not on so much per lineal foot but on
the amount of cubic yards excavated.
1t is wrong, very wrong: We let our
contracts by the lineal foot. The en-
gineer's profiles show the depths that
must be excavated. Now what's to
hinder him If he isn't honest to say to
a contractor whom he favors, Here,
you won't have to go as deep as some
of these places on the profile show and
what we make on that we will divide
The engineer has full charge and he
is engaged to use his discretion and
If he considers it best not to go as
deep as the profile calls for why 1t is
not done. The contract is let for the
lineal amount of pipe placed and
nothing is paid for by cubic yards ex-
cavation except the stone encountered.
am in favor of changing the system"
Mayor w. H. Davis stated today
that he intended to bring every con-
tractor that had been doing business
with the city UP for examination In
the effort to throw the search1ght on
the charges of graft. II
Hanley e. Richie, ]. H. Maxwell
and Webster & Tulloch are some or
the largest contractors with whom the
city has been doing business.
Councilman F. E. Nipps, chairman
of the special council committee in
charge Of the investigation, stated
that he considered that 1t might be |
tractors and discover if any dishonest
relations had existed with city off, |
Gals
Il take 1t that these men while
hey are employed by the city are as
much city employees as some OF the
men that we have on the monthly pay
roll and are subject to investigation |
as SUCH" said Mr.. Nipps.
Before the examining committee
asst evening Mr.. Gilmore attempted to |
clear himself of charges which might |
,ttach to his alleged relations with |
Mr.. McCabe, city engineer, by stating
hat he thought he was paying this
money back to the city and that ne
houRht that possibly such fund as
engineering extras might exist with
he city. The explanation was looked |
Upon with askance by the council
Mr.. Nipps suggested that
he considered it strange that Gilmore
should believe such thing and not
AXE a receipt for the money and
make payment in the secret manner
Is claimed if Gilmore considered that
40 was paving back to the city money
hat belonged to 1t for oVercharges.
lis affidavit was taken by dictation to
stenographer and sworn to-. In the
main the affidavit follows the story
hat Gilmore has already given in his
,harees. He disclaimed that he had /
,aid any money direct to w. E. King
,ut that the latter thanked him for
he $125 said to have been paid to
dcCabe for King and Gilmore there
ore presumed that King had got the
money.
Gilmore admitted that he had been
aid for a block of sewer on Western
venue between Douthftt avenue and
street that was never
Tut in.
AS a suggestion to the committee
or discovering the depths at which
he sewer had been constructed in
ON parison with the profile, Gilmore
uggested that the committee measure
he manholes along the line. This. he
tated, would reveal the exact depth
f construction.
The committee adjourned to meet
'hursday evening. James McCabe.
i+v engineer M w. Gilmore and
theirs will come for hearing at that
Ime.
WIN