The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-30

variance with each other. It is said
that other cities have benefited by
the change, but that has been under
conditions OF affairs where any change
would have been for BETTER
In the next lines he says that we
must remember that where this form
of government has been tried. it has
been under the most favorable cir
cumStanceS.''
How is it possible that an opponent
to. this system can conscientiously
deny its benefits when he states by i'm
pfcatlon at least that it has been ia
vorably received under the worst
conuitions and under the most favor
able. circumstances?
AS to the injustice of the system as
applied to the water rates, think
that there has been a general impress
sion that Mr.. Tillotson's deductions
could not in practice, be correct, but
as he has quoted only one section of
the law. it has not been made clear
as to why this is so.
II one Will take the trouble to read
all of the sections in that part of
CHAP. la, laws of Kansas, 1907, be-
glnhlng with Sec 101 and closing
with 100. it will be readily apparent
TO the reader that the waterworks
scare is pure Halloween "bug-a-
boo" Section los which is the next
section but one. following Sec. 103
which has been SO often quoted nv
Mr.: Tillotson is as follows:
All revenues derived from the sale and
consumption Of water and from the man
works shall be deposited daily in the city city
treasury to the credit of the water
works department. and be kept in a sep
arate fund, to be known as the general
fund of the waterworks departments and
such revenues shall be used exclusively in
the operation, maintenance, renewal and
extension of the waterworks or In paying
on the bonded Indebtedness created for
the purchase price. thereof. or interest
~ ndr
other purpose. Any member of the board
or commissioners who shall vote for or aid
for any private purpose or for any otfeT
department. of the city government shall
for forfeit his office and be liable on his Off
elal bond for such Misrepresentation
1t will be seen from this that all reye
nues derived from the waterworks must
be used exclusively in the operation,
maintenance, renewal and extension of
the waterworks, or in paying off a
bonded Indebtedness created for the
purchase price thereof, the interest
charges on such Indebtedness and for
no other purpose"
This section has the same force and
authority in the law as Mr.. Tillotson's
favorite section 100.
1t has even increased terror for the
board of commissioners for the reason
that it provides that any member who
votes for the transfer or use of such
revenues for any private purpose or for
any other department of the city gov
eminent shall forfeit his office and be
liable on his official bond for such mis-
appropriation
From this it will be seen that there
can be no governmental purpose in
levying tax by which the city can
recoup itself for loss of taxes or by
which it can make. profit simply to be
piled up in the treasury. All water
works revenues must be solely for wa
terworks purposes SO that for every
dollar which the nQOY,Ja
ter that dollar must be returned to
them directly for paying waterworks
indebtedness or operating, renewing or
extending the waterworks system
1t is apparent to anyone that no
board of commissioners taking the
context of this law into consideration
will do anything other than what is
being done at this time with reference
to the waterworks system, and that is,
to operate it in such a manner as to
support the system with it's revenues
and pay for renewals or extensions and
bonded indebtedness.