The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-17
TO VOTE IN APRIL.
City Council Submits the Elec-
trio Light Proposition.
Will Be Decided at the Regular
Election.
LITTLE OPPOSITION.
Maximum Amount Is Fixed at
sos, 900.
Issue Only What Is Needed of
This.

The voters of Topeka will be given
opportunity of voting on April for the
issuance of $65, 900 bonds for the en-
largement of the municipal electric
light plant. However, it is probable
that the actual bond issue will not be
as large by from $4,000 to $4,000 de-
pendent upon the actual cost Of the
improvements. Only what is necessary
will be used. A special proclamation
calling the election has been issued by
the mayor and published.
The fight to give the people a square
deal on the electric light plant which
they own and permit them to say yes
or no to the question of whether they
shall continue to own and operate it
has been won. The refreshing part
about it is that the council so unani-
mously feels the same way about it.
Ten votes out of a possible II were
cast for the ordinance calling the spec
ia1 election. The two voting against
were Councflmen Lannan and Horn.
Councilman Lannan warmly supports
municipal ownership of the plant but
believed that the amount specified in
the ordinance was too high and that
the bond issue should not be specified
beyond $4,000 Councilman Horn was
opposed to the bond issue, stating
frankly his belief that the Edison COM
pany could furnish the light more
cheaply to the city than the city could
manufacture it-just why he fails to
state.
The real fight on the question was
precipitated over the amount of the
bond issue which should be specified.
Five out of the IL councilmen favored
s65, 900. Councilmen Hughes. Lannan,
Holiday, Jordan and Montgomery
fought for the former amount while
Councilmen Horn, Blakely, Stanley.
contended that $4,000 might prove to
be not sufficient and that larger
amount should be provided for. Co
jointly with this discussion the council
expressed itself at every turn in favor
of turning over the electric light plant
to q commission Of three men and TAX
ing it forever from out Of council domi-
nation and city politics Even Council
man Horn stated that he thought a
board of electric light commissioners
such as now manages the waterworks
department would bring about q vast
improvement in the management of the
city electric light plant and occasion
as much favorable comment as that ex-
pressed Of the waterworks depart
ment.
The ordinance creating a board Of
commissioners or trustees for the cleo
trio light plant was introduced In the
council last night and referred to the
gas and electric lights committee 1t
will come up for consideration on April
6 and will be passed at an adjourned
meeting which will be held probably on
April 8.
The ways and means committee Of
the council met in an executive session
prior to the council meeting. The COM
mittee met for the purpose Of fixing on
the amount of the bond issue. The
committee was in a deadlock, three IA
yoring $65, 900 and as many holding out
for $4,000. The three councilmen Vot-
ing for s65, 900 were Councilmen How
ard. Kutz and Van Ness. those op-
posed were Councilmen Montgomery,
Hughes and Lannan. The mayor threw
his influence in favor of the larger
amount and the committee therefore so
reported to the council.
When the council met Councilman
Lannan moved to amend the ordinance
calling for the special election by fix
ing the amount at $4,000 instead of $685.
600. The motion was seconded by
Hughes.
I'VE come before the people and ask
them to vote for bonds" said Mr.. Horn,
land they expect a plant. We don't
want to build plant for tomorrow or
never rebuild the plant for $4,000, and
replace those circuits and those poles.
You will have to spend $4,000. If you
promise them an up to date plant you
want to give it to them. How many
poles have we got to replace? We have
! got to put in some new ones for some
| of them have been in Is years. am In
| favor of $75 900 and if we don't use 1t all
| nav some of it back"
"Only sufficient bonds will be issued