The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-29
SPECIAL MEETING.
City Council Will Hear Report
of Investigating Attorneys.
Ii Approved, Immediate Action
VIII Be Taken.
BETTER GAS MAINS.
Attorneys Will Recommend Only
Sane Actions.
No Fear of "Ouster Suit" and
Receiver Appointment"

special meeting Oh the city couH-
ell will be called for some night this
week. when the reports of the in
vestigations of City Attorney Ralston
and q. T. Hazen, special attorney,
concerning the low gas pressure in
Topeka, will be made. and the ap-
prevail or the disapproval of the
council on the attorneys points will
signify the action contemplated by
the city.
AS to the contents of The reports
by City Attorney Ralston and Alter
ney HaZen, no one knows just what
action they will recommend to the
city, in their fight against the Con-
sumers' Light, Heat and Power COM
pany for more gas in time of extreme
ly cold weather.
But it is understood among the city
officials at the city hall that nothing
radical will be brought out in the re-
port. 1t is thought that in their re-
port the attorneys will ask that the
gas company be held liable for all
leaking mains and be forced to make
immediate repairs all over the city.
It is reported that some action should
be taken to compel the gas company
to discontinue the use of the old
mains and relay the pipes now in
use.
Another action on the part of the
investigating attorneys which is
thought to be lying in wait for the
council is the point of the contract
between the Consumers Light. Heat
and Power company and the Kansas
Natural Gas company. 1t is the gen.
eral opinion that all of the trouble
lies between these two companies and
to force the local company to obtain
more gas from the head company at
the wells.
Just what action is recommended
for this course is not known. City
Attorney Ralston refused to say just
what was contained in the report to-
day. He said that the report would
not come up until time for the spe-
cial meeting of the council and that
no facts on the proposition would be
given out until this time.
1T is true that there will probably
be a special meeting of the city coun-
Gill;" said Mr.. Raiston, but I am not
prepared to say just what we will
recommend to the council. We do
not know ourselves just what action
we would suggest"
In answer to the questions concern
ing the above contem plated report
the city attorney refused to make any
statement. Mayor Green also thought
It best to wait until the official meet
ing of the council and release the in
formation at that time.
No Radical Action.
1t is known, however, that no radical
action will be taken against the gas
company. All of the talk about "revok-
ing franchises appointing receivers
and the like, has been silenced by COM
mon sense. The city officials all realize
that gas in Topeka is luxury and If it
is possible to lessen the dangers of ex-
plosion through the carelessness and
neglect of the gas company and to OBJ
tain as much gas as the city is entitled
to under the contract, the citizens of
Topeka will feel well satisfied
Gas experts have been in Topeka for
the last week or so examining the
mains and investigating the gas condi-
I tions in this city. They have gone into
the recent explosions over the city into
the strength and cause of the leaking
gas mains and into the physical condi-
ton of the Consumers Light. Heat and
Power company. 1t is understood that
they are positive that all the recent ex-
plosions have been caused by gas, that
the mains whole are in fair con-
dition and that the main trouble is with
the service pipes under the business
section of the city.
There is vague suspicion around the
city hall today that the gas company
has considerable control over the
amount of gas that comes to Topeka
1t was noticeable fact that despite
the cold weather last night and this
morning the gas was here in good
quantities and shortage has not been
reported.
81 cannot help but think that up the
line some place the company has a lit
tie station where the gas supply to To-
peka is regulated" said an official this
morning. ST believe that we can have
more gas if the company sees fit to give
1t to u.s.
Upon the one clue that it is possible
to get more gas, the city believes that
it can force the gas company TO deliver
more goods. But it is a well known
fact that the attorneys are asking for
more gas and for better mains As far
as running the affairs of the company
is concerned-there is no thought of
| this action
The special meeting of the council is
| open to the public and it is expected
| that it will be public meeting as well
| as a council meeting.