The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-24
Councilman Howard Would Have
City Sell Electricity.
Asks for Estimate From the
Light Commissioners.
AFTER THE PAYERS.
City Will Claim Forfeit for De-
layed Work.
Hughes Wants the Contractors
Taught a Lesson.

| Councilman Howard introduced a
| resolution last night at the meeting Of
! the city council which proposed that
1 the electric light commission be asked
| to give an estimate in regard to what
| it would cost the city per kilowatt to
| furnish electric power for commercial
purposes. 1t was thought by the coun-
Gilman that by selling electricity to
| commercial firms that considerable
revenue could be thus derived which
could be used toward paying off the
| $4,000 bonds A lively debate ensued
in which Councilman Drew took the
stand that it is not right to enter into
competition with private firms. II
| think We have no right to go into COM
petition with commercial firms" said
he II would be against the PROPOSE
ton even though we had a right to go
into 1t. I doubt the legality of any at
tempt to sell power from municipal
plant"
Councilman Blakely-'I believe that
this is too important a matter to jump
into with haste. I believe that it should
be referred to the Judiciary commit
tee"
Councilman Stanley-"I believe we
ought to thrash it out in committee be-
fore we ask for a statement from the
commission"
Councilman Miller-'"There. is no rea-
son why we should let a private cor
! POA dllOIl nave LIE money WnSn We
could save the people taxes by selling
electric power"
There are at least % cities within a
radius of $50 miles using their plants
for commercial purposes said Council
man Howard in support of the resolu-
ton. "Emporia has just started a
plant and st. Marys has done the same
within the last three weeks. The prop
er way is to sell enough current to
make the plant pay for ITSELF
Councilman Hughes argument was
that he considered that the city should
light up the streets first. There are 900
intersections in the city and there are
less than half that number of lights in
operation in the city THAT is what
the people voted the bonds for" he as
serted. The motion after much discus
sion finally carried.
The session of council last night end
ed in a stormy protest against the
paving contractors and their failure to
rush along their work Councilman
Hughes was perhaps the chief figure
gentlemen, and the council chamber
fairly shook with the thunderings of
his argument. General Hughes started
the flight of oratory. and Councilman
Howard backed it up by rendering
resolution to the effect that the con-
tractors be notified by the city clerk
that no extension of time would be
granted in case the contracts were not
Furthermore a fine of $40 a day would
be imposed until the completion of
the work could be announced. AS in
the case of the electric light PROPOSE
ton Councilman Blakely urged that no
such radical measure be passed until
the matter could be thoroughly gone
into in committee. He thought that it
would be more fitting to take the time
to prepare a neatly written message
to present to the contractors. One of
the city fathers, however. said that he
was not in favor of sending any writ
ten message at all. The contractor has
signed an agreement and knew what to
expect.
Councilman Hughes in heated
speech said in part: 1T is out
rage to all the people to have to sub
nit to such conditions. 1t is time for
us to teach some contractor a lesson.
1t is time to make him sweat. Not a
block of paving has been completed by
a certain contractor. L said wnen you
let contract to a Fort Scott man
there would be trouble
Councilman Stanley in speaking of
the fact that his own street had been
closed up and nothing done in the
way of paving remarked that soon it
would be a matter of cutting hay in
the street.
Earlier in the evening petition
had been introduced signed by fifteen
persons which asked the council to
either remove the brick from Fillmore
else get down to work and complete
the paving. The petition was refer |
red to the streets and walks COM
mittee. Councilman Drew said that
at the next meeting there would be
deputation waiting on the council in
regard to the matter.
On Friday evening an adjourned
of the council will be held
to canvass the votes cast today in !
connection with the bond election.
Fred Nixon, more commonly known |
as "Steeple-Jack" gave a price for |
painting the flag pole on the Au- |
building. The matter was re- |
ferred to the ways and means COM |
mittee.
The Shawnee Agency wished its !
for a park in the west end of the /
Elmhurst district.
Thirty-four property owners in the |
neighborhood of Nineteenth and Fill |
more streets petitioned the council to |
place an electric light at this crossing. |
The petition was turned over to the |
electric light committee
Certain persons on the North Side |
petitioned the ouncil not to include |
their property in the proposed drain |
age district, as their property is high |
and dry.
Invitation From Taft.
Washington, Aug. 24.-Messrs. Knapp
and Prouty of the interstate commerce |
have received an invita-
ton from President Taft to attend A |
IN, 4