The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-07
CITY HALL NEWS.
Topeka Garbage Collectors I'm
able to Find a Dump.
City Must Have Disposal Plant,
Says Councilman fraser,
DEMANDS. IMMEDIATE
DEMANDS. IMMEDIATE
Health Of the City in Danger if
Nothing Is Done.
Brick and Cement Contractors
Fight Over Resolutions.

- tAc plans OF councilman r. L..
Fraser from the Fourth ward mater
iahze and the city council approves
his IDEAS the city of Topeka will have
a garbage disposal plant within the
next month or so. Councilman Fraser
Will introduce a resolution at the next
council meeting asking for such a plant
ana the matter will. be discussed by
the councilmen at that time.
There isn't another city in the coun-
try the size of Topeka that is able to
plod along year after year with no dis
posal plant of any kind and the mat
ter IS gradually reaching the point
where something must be DONE The
conoitlon OF the. city at this time and
the lack or dumping places for refuse
dlsposal has awakened the councilmen
70 act1on-something must be done for
the health of the city-and 1t must be
done at once
This spring, conditions are worse
than ever-far worse. The city has
grown TO such an extent in the last
few years and property is soaring to
the skies-on account of this all of the
old dumping grounds have been clean
ed out and the owners have realized
the great value creeping upon this land
and they have improved to such an ex-
tent that garbage is no longer welcom-
ed. The average hauler of this trash
is unable to find place in the city to
dispose of his loads. Mr.. fraser said
to State Journal reporter that he
was unable to find a man to haul away
the material from behind his place of
busineSs-the men complained of the
fact that they had been buffeted
around from pillar to post and in some
cases 1t was necessary to haul their
big loads many miles before they could
find place to dump.
1t can readily be seen that this state
or AFFAIRS cannot last very long in this
city. When the people come face to
face with the startling facts that they
are prohibited from having their re-
fuse hauled away-unless mammoth
price is levied-then the demand will
fall upon the city council to act.
This spring has been very dirty one
in Topeka-the cleaning up fever has
struck the city and the alleys, refuse
cans and streets are piled with waste
material. What is going to be done
with it? This is the big question that
is facing the citizens-and the question
is getting mightier every day. The men
who have been accustomed to- haul the
material away are met by property
owners and warning signs telling them
that it means. the Police court if they
attempt to dump their load in the old
place. As a result, they either have to
go clear out in the country and impose
upon someone or take back their load.
The plan of Mr.. Fraser is to have a
municipal garbage disposal plant. 1t
mas Deem proven IN nunOr6QS OF cities
in the United States that these private
corporations are. gratis and fakes. The
papers and municipal publications are
full of the wrongs heaped upon the
municipalities by these companies. 1t
is also a fact that the municipal sys-
tenn, the cost of burning the garbage at
the incinerator is almost cut in two.
1t should cost only 10 or II cents a
cubic yard. Then there is small
velvet on the side.4 When disposed of
In fina e b9 cya c in q
form of two valuable products-namely,
the oil which forms the basis of a val
liable fertilizer and the grease, out of
which soaps are made. This is great
profit when conducted in a systematic
manner Then there is a big chance to
sell to contractors and builders, the
clinkers for use in the foundations and
other materials for the asphalt plant.
When the garbage plant is compile
ted il means that number of garbage
cans will be placed at central locations
about the city with the hope that the
people will make the proper use of them
by depositing therein the things that
are permissible and refrain from de-
posting the things that are not per-
missable. They will not be intended for
garbage disposal plants but only for
smaller items of dirt such as scraps of
paper. apple cores, peelings, cigar
snipes only when extinguished, and pea
nut Shells Merchants are not presum-
ed to use them for the refuse of their
stores, neither are housewives expect
ed to make general use of them at
housekeeping time.
A firm in Des Moines. Iowa, has Of
fered to dispose of all the garbage sys-
tematically at the rate of 80 cents per
capita or at the rate of $4,000 for
so. 900 population. 1t is not believed that
under a ten mill levy the money could
be raised. The only way to do is to
establish a municipal plant.
Summing it all up-the garbage stu
alton in Topeka is so serious owing to
the inability of the collectors to secure
ton will have to be taken by the mayor
and city council Perhaps a bond is
sue will have to be made for the con-
struction of an incinerator.
| The brick men and the asphalt men
are having a regular battle every day
at the city hall At the last meeting
of the city council petition asking for
a cement sidewalk was turned down by
the council. Following came a reso-
luton asking the council to allow the
| construction of cement sidewalks if the
petitioners so desired. All of this was
done on very short notice and it was
given very little attention but it rous
ed the brick and cement men from
their caves and they are battling today
before the city officials. Secret confer
lences and lobbying is the order of the
lday. NJ. NJ. Maxwell, a prominent con-
tractor in this city and the man who
fought so long for cement curbings-
and won his fight-gave out an inter-
view to a State Journal reporter today
/ that will undoubtedly cause war among
the warriors. Mr. Maxwell said:
Shortly after the paving contracts
were let this year and it became evil
| dent that brick companies other than
the home companies would be allowed
to compete with the home made brick.
and that the people would get the very
best that could be had for their money,
a gentleman once. prominent in the af-
fairs of the administration of CONNER
ciaI club, remarked to me, That it was
a pretty state of affairs when the Com
mercial club would allow the paving
1 cont acfs to he Let n such q manner