The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-05

sIonaiy generous In the granting of
franchises to corporations. In such or
oinances the use and employment of
puDuc property has been granted abso-
iu1eIy Tree to such corporations.
Inc monetary value Of such fran
cnlses would be hard to determine, but
IL Is OF a great and increasing value.
proport1onate to the addition to the
city's population.
1t is portion of the capital stock
with which the companies enjoying the
privileges extended by such franchises
do business and becomes it's most valu-
able asset. The city should secure a
portion Of the income that they make
possible and would therefore recon-
mend that such measures be adopted
as may seem most practicable, reQuir-
ing the corporations possessing such
franchises. to pay into the city treas
ury monthly as a license, a sum equal
TO per cent of their gross earnings
under such franchises.
Auditing System.
The system employed by the city for
the auditing of claims against the city
erect or value as a protection against
collusion between dishonest claimants
and city officials to defraud the city.
The well established fact that thou
sands of dollars have been paid out by
the. city on fraudulent claims in the
cient auditing system which is in "a
measure an invitation to graft.
Some modern system applicable to
municipal and local needs should be
installed-the plan adopted by our
county commissioners might with some
| notifications be employed by the city
with good results.
Voting Machines.
In conformity with the resolution
passed by the city council instructing
the mayor to enter into contract
with the Kansas Voting Machine COM
machines to be delivered on or be-
fore April LIST, 1909, have executed
a contract with the said company fol-
the stated number of machines.
1t Is however, obvious that Is ma
chimes will not prove sufficient fol
the city under the present arrange
ment of ward and precinct bound
aries and I would therefore recon-
mend that measures be taken at once
to rearrange the wards and voting
precincts to the end that it may b.
determined accurately how man.
more machines will be required ant
orders placed for them as soon al
possible.
Electric Wiring.
Il The great hazard to property re
sultfng from careless and imprOpe
electric wiring is apparent to all VIII,
have given the subject any consider
alton. The wiring now in use in tn
city was installed for the most par
when the art Of electric wiring was il
its infancy and no standards Of com
potency were required at that tim
by cities from those who were en-
gagged in that sort of employment
= Since that time many cities hav
? adopted standards governing install
| lation Of electric wiring, but Topek
, as yet has not taken any actio
through ordinance along this line an
, it is probable that dangerous wirin
t is now being placed in buildings b
l incompetent or careless workmeI
jeopardizing not only the property i
t which it has been or is being install
: ed, but also adjoining property.
L In directing your attention to TIL
matter I would urge that such meas
: property Of our citizens from incur
t ring such unnecessary hazard. II
: competent persons should not be pei
mitted to engage in this work, som
wiring code should be established {
e a standard of proper workmanshi
4 with penalties attached providin
fines for violations. Wiring that
already installed should be inspecte
/ and If found faulty, authority Shout
= be extended to the proper official {
t officials for its removal.
S 1 would suggest, that if found prat
I ticable, such rules and regulations /
adopted under ordinance as will RI
3 move as far as is possible all hazar
from this source and that the line
t man Of the electric light departmeT
Y be made ex-officio wire inspector ur
{ der the direction of the electric ligf
deDartment