The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-18
Threatens to Take Union Pacific
Out Of North Topeka.
Says He'll Run the Tracks AlOne
North Bluffs.
MUST Do SOMETHING.
Says Measures for Flood Proven.
ton Are Imperative.
Talks About Melan Bridge BEING
to Blame.

After spending the afternoon looking
at his washed out main tracks and
switch tracks in the yards In North To-
peka, A. L. Mohler. general manager Of
the Union Pacific. announced that he
would shift the main tracks between
Topeka and Manhattan to the north OF
North Topeka on to the high lands un-
less some adequate measures are ta-
ken to properly restrain the hood wa
tiers from the Kansas river. 81 am
tired of having the Union Pacific main
line put out Of commission for two
weeks every few years." said he
If the Union Pacific takes to the high
bluffs which fringe the Kansas river
to the north a switch back would have
to be built In Topeka from a junction
point, as the main line would escape
the city too far to the north to warrant
the construction Of a depot there.
The Melan bridge was given credit
for hindering the free flow OF the high
water and causing water to back up
and Mr.. Mohler insisted that something
should be done by the city to raise it's
height and increase its length. This
would mean the practical demohsn.
ment of the present bridge which cost
SITE, 900 and the construction of q new
one on higher piers.
IT really think that the Rock Island
railroad bridge did more to hinder the
water than the Melan,'' said Mayor
Green.
The Union Pacific insisted so strong
ly that the Melan was Offering obstruc-
ton that there was a hint made that
damages would be claimed from the
given further credence by the an
nouncement that Union Pacific engi-
neers would come to Topeka and secure
data Of the Melan bridge showing how
-l.-k H. -
present construction of the bridge.
However, Union Pacific officials
promptly denied the rumor Of any
intention of a suit to be brought for
damages.
Before continuing westward Mr..
Mohler stated that his engineers would
be sent to make a complete survey OF
| the district precedent to plans and sug-
gestions to be made to the manages
ment Of the road for taking care OF the
high water. The road will expend con-
siderable money in order to prevent e
repetition Of conditions Of this year.
The roadbed of the Union Pacific which
was washed out by the river at point
lust north Of the tie treating plant Win
not be filed in solid. Instead the track
will be built on driven piles and the
Kansas river channel and the short cut
| which it has taken acrosss North, Tor
peka will be left free Of any let or hin
drance in the shape of railroad en-
bankment to stop the wafer as IL may
| rise and flow into this stretch OF low
| land.
.sThis in itself will force the city to
| do something in the way Of building z
channel through there and dIkfng," said
Mayor Green. 1.-THE Union Pacific ont-
Gals when here seemed to think very
| favorably of the plan Of John Rogers.
city engineer, to cut channel across
| through North Topeka.
Make a Sanitary Inspection.
| Sanitary conditions in North Topeka
are to be examined Friday by Officers
of the state board Of health. A notice
| that an inspection would be made came
! to John Rogers, city engineer. who VIII
| accompany them. The board will have
its experts along to make a technical
] examination and report whether every
thing is as it should be in North To-
| peka. The board will also probably go
| over the Second ward, especially that
| part that is without a sewer and dis
cover if it is populated with more than
it's normal supply of microbes. If the
board figures out that the bad microbes
are too thickly settled there 1t VIII
| make a campaign for the construction
of the sewer, the building of which 10
now being agftated.