The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-03
CITY HAS MONEY.
Financial Condition of Munich
pality LIS Improving.
Large Balance Now in the
Treasury.
LOOKS ETER DETAILS
LOOKS AFTER DETAILS.
Results Made Possible by Saw
ing in Departments.
Plan for an Electric Light Com.
mission Proposed.

A remarkable showing is made in
the report of the city clerk C. B.
Burge, on the city's financial condi-
ton for the past year, filed with the
| city council last evening.
In fact it contains one Of the most
remarkable statements for years
business as conducted by the city for
many administrations.
For the ten months ending with
January 81, 1907. the city showed a
deficit of $2,017.72, while for the same
| length of time ending with January 81,
| 1908, there was a surplus on hand of
SAL, 7S2.2S. or representing a total
gain of $43,s00 in favor of the city for
| the past ten months.
OF this amount $15,849.86 is direct
ly due to economy practiced in the
various departments, while $27,950.14
| accrues by reason Of increased reve-
| nues from taxes and miscellaneous re-
ceipts- the taxes representing s27,-
08z.0S.
On the basis of the above figures it
| has been costing the city almost
| $1,000 less per month to meet it's run
| ming expenses than last year and it
was conceded that Mayor W. H. Da-
Wis, who was in charge at that time,
had managed to introduce marked re-
| trenchments over preceding admins
trations.
The savings effected by the various
departments during the ten months
has been as follows: Street depart
ment, $4,000; fire department. $1,000;
police, $500; city officers, $1,000;
miscellaneous expenditures, $4,000;
electric light department, $485; sani-
tary, 5000; engineering department,
$40
L ~,
not make as good showing, indicat-
| ing increased expenditures, but in the
/ aggregate the statement of the gain
will not be materially lowered as
given. During January. 1908. it cost
the city about $1,000 more to conduct
IFS business than in 1907.
| The city has, however, added an
other department within the last sew
eral months which it costs on an aver
| age of $3.50 per month to maintain,
| the city asphalt repair plant, and this
| must be taken into consideration.
A commission of three to manage the
| city electric light plant, similar to the
manner in which the waterworks de-
4 partment is operated, is suggested in
| a resolution offered at the council
meeting last night by Councilman
Hughes. The council adopted the
Councilman Kutz suggested that it
| would probably be wiser to await the
/ drafting of an ordinance calling for
| the appointment of a commission until
it had been definitely decided bv vote
| of the people whether a bond issue
| should be had. Councilman Howard
| stated that it would be a good thing
| even If a change was made in the
| lighting system of the city, that the
commission could operate the plant
/ just as long as it contineud.
There was no dissenting vote when
the resolution was offered. It provides
| that: The city attorney be and Is here
| by directed to at once prepare an or
plant commission placing the city cleo
| trio light plant property and employees
and all subjects pertaining Herewith
under the jurisdiction of the city cleo
| trio light commission.
At present the plant is being run by
| the gas and electric lights committee
| of the council under a special resolu-
| ton empowering them to exercise full
| authority. Previous to that every men,
| Der of the council took a hand in its
management The. plant has always
| been made the plaything Of politics and
| it is wonderful to think that it should
make the showing that it has when this
| is considered. There is not an equa-
| BILE distribution of the street lights and
| the many little economies that a COM
! mission could employ and which would
| total up in the long run to large
/ amount have been unable to be taken
/ advantage OF. Inc S1XLl precinct OF the
Second ward is now petitioning for
| lights and Councilman Lannan stated
/ last evening that some of his constitu-
| ents wanted to present their plea for
| lights in person. At committee meet
| ing of the gas and electric lights COM
nittee on Friday this matter will be ia
ken uD.
| The Kansas Voting Machine company
| with which the city made contract
with a proviso attached, for the deliv-
| cry of voting machines to be used at
the fall election stated last evening that
| If was prepared to show a complete
/ machine and asked the council for the
privilege of making a demonstration
i The council in it's contract agreed tc
4 take stated number If the machines
nroved satisfactory. The council viii
4 meet Monday and at that time viii
| probably examine the perfected ma
chine. 1t is the intention of the COM
nany to erect a factory here and man
ufacture on a large scale.
Councilman Hughes is after the clair
yoyants astrologers. fortune tellers
and mind readers. He secured the pas
sape of a resolution calling on the city
attorney to revise the present ord1n-
Il ances and increase the license charge
to these people.
The Street Railway company was
authorized to make a change in the
i Construction, of their new Brannel
street viaduct so as to bring the steps
Our 81 years