The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-29
UP TO The PEOPLE
What They Have to Say About
Light Question.
Do They Want to Discard the
Municipal Plant.
NO BACKWARD STEP.
Joseph Bromich Says Topeka
Should Move Forward.
Frank Newland Says City Should
Light It's Streets.


by no means certain that 1T will beat
least not till the people have had an
opportunity to vote on the question.
They voted to build the plant and have
right to say whether II is to be dis
carded
Mr. Frank NJ. Newland, a member of
the waterworlcs commission, says: THE
city can run the light plant just as well
and as economically as 1t runs the wa
terworks if 1t goes at 1t in the same way
I am not in favor Of putting the light
plant under the same commission as
the waterworks but am in favor OF the
city continuing the ownership OF the
light plant and operating it in the same
manner as the waterworks is run. 1 am
strictly in favor OF municipal owner
ship
As stated yesterday, Mr. Herbert
Hackney. president of the Topeka Mill
ing company, and ex-mayor r. I. Cof-
ran. Of tie Western Foundry, are both
in favor of municipal ownership and these
men both express themselves strongly
as to the belief that the city can and
should operate their plant as cheaply
as private corporation. As pointed
out by them. if the operation of the
plant was entirely divorced from politics
and run in a business way it would be
successful. 1t should also be constantly
kept in mind, as shown by these men
yesterday, that when the city took con-
troll of the waterworks the same op-
position was on hand who prophesied
Just what they are now prophesying for
the light plant. The light plant has
been successful considered from every
view. No one wants to furnish lights
with the present plant for the next
twenty years but a plant that does as
well in the next twenty years as the
present plant has in the last twenty,
will be paying proposition for the city.
Mr.. Joseph Bromich. the proprietor of
the Topeka Steam Boiler works, is
strongly in. favor of the city continuing
in the possession of its light plant and
furnishing its own lights. He says: Il
ing a backward step, but 1 want to see
it go forward and put it's plant into
good shape for work The plant could
easily be put into good shape. 1t is
just now like the waterworkS was when
we got it. The only thing they did to
the waterworks plant was to install
new boilers that could give the needed
pressure of steam If new boilers were
put in at the light plant the same re-
suit could be obtained as was in the
case of the waterworks. The city's
engine could not be improved upon.
The dynamos are all right but they
need more to provide the needed cur
rent. 1 do not say this because I am
in the business of building boilers. /
don't care whether they put in new
boilers and use steam or whether they
put in gas engines just so that they fix
the plant into good, drst-cIass shape.
use gas engines right here in my
own business. But If they should put
in new boilers at the plant it would
running of the plant. 1 want to see
taxes reduced if they can be but 1
don't think that letting the contract |
for lights is the way to do it, I am |
ar nd nv WI "a
of the people think but 1 do think |
that the question ought to be voted on |
by the people before their former vote /
in favor OF ownership is changed
one of the signers of the petition ask |
ing for acceptance of the offer of the |
Edison company said this morning: Il
am in favor of municipal ownership |
generally but an electric light plant is 1
5iHerent 1t has to be renewed every |
ten years and started all over again. |
I signed the petition because 1 don't |
want any more bonds issued. We are |
paving heavy enough taxes now.
Those who hold this view of the mat /
ter use curious logic. The present plant /
has been in operation for IS years and
was not renewed at the end or the |
first ten. But even suppose that 1t did /
have to be renewed occasionally. 1t
would be a curious business that did |
not The truth of the matter Is that
II this need of renewal were such an
calamity as to reduce all /
oany would go into the business And
since there are many companies MAX
ng good money at 1t, the city can co
as well as any corporation
Moreover their logic is faulty again
when they complain that they want no
more taxes. The money to pay for
the lights if bought of the Edison COM
many comes from the same place as the
money would If paid out in bonds and
expenses. The only difference
: that the amount paid for lights II
bought from q company is greater and
zoes to swell the profits of private
instead of going TO in
crease and better the condition or the
nan who pays the bill in both cases
At the contract price the city. that is
% saw. the taxpayer who kicks on
,onds would pay $275. 900 at the very
owest figure for the lights in ten
ears. At the end OF that time they
AVE absolutely nothing On the other
land put the same money into pay
nent of bonds and interest and run
ing EXPENSES and at the end of that
iu7e thew have had the service and
rave their own plant ready TO continue
he work
The people who are in favor of the
.i+v retaining control of the plant and
yho care to use their influence for
hat purpose should attend the meet
ng of the ways and means committee
II 8 O'Clock Thursday night at the
.itv hall There is some small chance
# this date being changed. but if it is
he change Will be noticed in these
columns Many have expressed them
elves in favor of municipal owner
hin and their presence will do more
- or-+hfpr else IL thAv will come