The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-28
NOT ONE SIDED.
Citizens Must Cooperate in Flood
Protection Measure.
South Side People Awake to
the Situation.
SANTA FE OBJECTS.
Mr.. Meade Says Present Plans
Are Not Satisfactory.
Other Citizens Point Out De-
fects in Details.

That there must be cooperation
between the interests of North Tope-
ka and South Topeka in the plans for
securing protection from the Kaw
river overflow, was the sentiment ex-
pressed last night, when fifty of the
representative business men OF the
city gathered at the Commercial club
rooms. That the interests were mu-
tual between the two sections and are
in harmony with each other was the
expressed belief of those who attend
cd the meeting.
The meeting was called at the in
s.igation of some of the south side
property owners who feel that the
North side drainage board are acting
too hastily in the matter of food pro-
lection and in manner that is detri-
mental to the interests of the South
SIDE
AS a result of the meeting resolu-
tions were adopted asking Mayor
Green to authorize the city engineer to
confer with the engineer of the North
side drainage project, with view of
devising plan by which both sides
should be protected.
The North Topeka people are to be
commended for the push which they
have shown in getting the project for
protection on their side of the river
contractor for this board has a large
number of men at work, and a good
start has already been made.
The Santa Fe is opposing the plans
for protection which the North side
has started. ]. NJ. Meade, resident
engineer of the company attended the
meeting last night and said that if the
North Topeka people carried out their
work as planned that the Santa Fe
would Illustrate all plans. by loading
them down with injunctions. Mr..
Meade also said that the Santa F'e
would be supported in its fight by all
the southside interests which would
be directly affected.
The two engineers, John Rogers,
city engineer and v. r. Parkhurst,
engineer of the North Topeka COM
pany, will confer as soon as possible
and will devise some plans for mutual
relief. These plans will be submitted
at meeting of the interested proper
ty owners, and efforts will be made to
line up the interests of both sides in
a plan of cooperation.
There was much discussion at the
meeting last night. 1t was an infor-
NAL gathering with w. H. Davis in the
chair. The North Topeka people were
there and their cause was well cham
pioned by J. B. Billiard. He told how
the people on the North side of the
river had been trying to get together
with the other interests for months
and how the affair was delayed and
course, as the North Topeka district,
suffers most from the high water, the
benefit district was created. The
plans which have been approved are
now being carried out by 5. Dolman &
Son, and will be completed-unless in
terrupted-in time to prevent disaster
with the high waters next spring.
The people on the South side, while
admitting that they have been In
some sort of a 1ethargy, insisted that
the plan which the North side people
We're now working out, wasn't to the
best advantage of the South side and
was diametrical1 opposed in some
ways The south side interests urged
that what was needed was united ac-
ton. The business men on the south
side want cooperation. They want
the Ievees built on both sides OF the
river, with plans that will work to the
advantage of both Sides All seemed
to favor having the work done under
different managements.
Joab Mulvane pointed out the de-
fects in having the work on each side
of the river executed without consult
inE the other side. The North Topeka
people would build their 1evees and
that this would throw the water on
the south side, was pointed out by Mr..
Mulvane. Then the south side inter-
ests would put up higher bikes to
throw the water back to the North
side Each side would be continually
striving to Guido the other and en-
nifty would result
The sentiment expressed at the meet
ing last night favored five different
things that should be done Immediate
ly: First, the increasing OF the capacity
of the river channel by raising and ad-
ding to the Rock Island and Santa Fe
bridges; second, the adding of two
spans to the north side and one to the
south of the Melan bridge; third, that
all spans added be OF steel and no
more concrete archways be built;
fourth, that the dumping of rubbish
and dirt in the river be stopped and
the dirt obstructing the How or water
at the Melan bridge be cleared out;
fifth and lastly, that the property own
ers of North Topeka and South Topeka
cooperate in planning. locating and
building the system of dikes on botn
sides of the river.
Many of those who attended last
night. criticised the Melan bridge, be-
cause of its deep arches which 1t has
been stated by engineers impede the
flow of the water so per cent.
Nothing was definitely outlined at the
be done until the engineers nave con-
ferred. It was shown that In many
ways the present plans OF the Nortn
side board were Impractical and that
there would have to be many changes.
Some work however, can be carried on
independently, and the graders con-
tractors were urged to continue with
their work. The parts, however, over
which the respective interests are dis
putting should be left for the time.
The legal phase of the matter was
discussed and the question OF abolish
ing the North side board came up. Inc
law on this point was not known to any
one at the meeting. 1t was. however,
shown that one board would cost less
and that clashes of opinion would De
lessened. Absolute protection TO the
property on both sides of the river, was
the keynote of the meeting
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