The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-08
TROUBLE BREWING
Petty COunciImen Quarrels
Grow More AntagOnistic.
Interests of the City in Danger
Under Such Conditions.
IFS GREEN VS.. JORDAN
Chasm Is Widening Between
"POWers That Be-
Efforts Made to Bring Peace and
Tranquility.
FPS GREEN VS.. JORDAN

There is going to be a big explosion
at the city hall some of these days
and it is going to be to the city coun-
ell like the Rocky Mountains are to
the United States-the grand divide.
Matters are pointing that way now and
If the dope is correct the future life
of the city councilmen will be one pro-
longed fight with no unison and no uni
formity of ideas whatever. In fact II
matters run along much farther II
means that propositions of welfare 70
the city are going to be overlooked on
account of personal prejudices. -
1t is hoped that matters never VIII
reach such a point as this but from th9
present outlook the tranquility anu
good fellowship which has existed DUR
ing the past administration is bound
to be matter of history The street
naming pronosition last fall started the
whole thing. At that time the councll
became one-sided. a deadlock was Sc
cured and nothing could be done Petty
jealousies grew up and ripened INTO
hard feeling At the present time TINS
hard feeling is ripenlng into antagon-
dsm-and the result is inevitable.
Last night at the second council meet
ng of the week the bids for the new
#Sewerage pumping plant IN Norln L.
aka were opened and talked over LOT LOT
j probably the twenty-fifth time since ITS
first introduction by Councilman Jor-
dan, the author. 1t was found that
the bids were a little too high ana the
matter was referred to the ways ana
means committee. This continual REF
erence'' of the important pumping sta
ton for the disposal of sewerage DUR
ing high water has caused more or less
friction between Mr.. Jordan and ms
colleagues-and here is where a grahu
battle is due to appear above the horl-
ION Mr.. Jordan introduced this pump
ing station idea many months ago u
I1r been POSTPONED and referred until
Of side have risen
up in arms and proclaimed their dls-
gust at the slow action OF the council
But they have not realized what an
everlasting stubborn fight has oeen
fought in the council chamber by theF
representative, Mr.. Jordan.
The advisability of installing q pump
ing station for North Topeka IS lett tor
experience. 1t has been done in other
cities and they have found it the only
sanitary manner of diSpostng with the
backwater sewer waste during high wa
ter It has also been handed down
through a legal opinion of the city at
torneV that the city is liable for all
damage caused from such backwater
in the sewers-thfs alone has caused
the city officials to fear the high water
which is liable any spring and sum-
mer.
But the result of the fight over this
sewer pump is what is dawning upon
the city council Since the proposal
by Mr.. Jordan, Mayor Green mas
ton. apparently. Mr.. Jordan claims
that the proposition has been re-
ferred and delayed on purpose by the
citv officials And the whole secret
of the big friction which is bound to
retard the smooth course of the coun-
Gil proceedings is wrapped up IN TINS
rapidly growing antagonism between
Mayor Green and Councilman Jor-
dan There are many mysterious
things connected with the actions
lowering around this pumping station
and the root of the whole evil seems
to be the parties under the leader
ship of the mayor and Mr.. Jordan.
THESE two very strong men have done
MANY things for the city of Topeka
Their executive and judicial ability as
officers in city affairs has Won for
them a great respect In topeka 10
see them break different crusts and
travel in opposite directions on the
small matter of q pumping station
which cannot cost more than $5,OuO
and which undoubtedly is due the
&-I,1cIxv DeopIe of the North Side af-
fer their prayers for protection. is an
unhappy and an unfortunate con-
dftion in which to place the city
council Last night the division in
+ussle between Councilman Tandy
and Mr. Jordan. These two men
have ALWAYS been considered strong
alIies-but these small matters are
divfding the spirit and the good in
+erests of the municipal government
of this city The gossip at tbs city
hall saws that the split between the
mayor and the First ward councli-
man will never be united-and the
erossip seems to be true. The Topeka
civ council needs a coach who VIII
- g a ,,ootto. "Get together"