The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-02
FIX UP THE DIKES
H. B. Howard Says they Have
Been Weakening.
Something Must Re Done Tor
Their Protection.
SUGGESTS ARBOR DAY
Plant Willows and Trees on Soil
at Once.
Other Items of Interest From
City Building.
SUGGESTS ARBOR DAY

There have been many plans given
out for the protection and the better
ment of the bikes along the Kansas
river between the water line and
North Topeka. Since the recent heavy
rains the mammoth banks of earth
have been washed out in places but
not to a serious degree. The water
has simply eaten little holes along
the dikes-shoWing what continued
series of rains would do in case some
action was not taken for its protec-
ton. In an interview with Council
man H. B. Howard the following
scheme seems to be the easiest ana
quickest way out of the trouble which
seems to have developed itself into
a problem:
Much valuable time has been
wasted already, that is in the olilng
the top and seeding the sides ana
otherwise providing retainers OF some
sort which are absolutely necessary
with sand bikes.
"A very serious mistake was made
in leaving the top fiat and in some
places followed in the middle. when
they should have been crowned at
least IL inches in the center, this
would have shed the rain off quickly
aud in such small quantities as TO 90
=. cry little damage but as they are
the waters of our recent rain ran
along the top until it accumulated
in large quantities and then when 1t
broke over the edge it had such vol
ume as to cut great holes in many
places Some holes are deep enough
to hide horse. This means that II
this is not attended to at once, every
rain will make it worse and the dfkes
will be ruined. 1t will cost several
thousand dollars to properly crown,
roll and oil these tops and there is no
time to lose as We can expect our
spring rains now at any time. linen
the sides should be thickly sown with
some of the many kinds of tough
slough grass, this will also cost some
thing, but it must be done. Then
would like to see an 'Arbor Day de-
clared; close up all the stores, offices
and schools and everybody go over
and stick willows on both sides and
up to within feet of the top of those
dykes all the way around, then we
would have protected dixie that
would be a real protection in case OF
even high water If these willows
were moved every season for or
years we would have a natural mat
ting that would resist the wash of
any current but we must have the
grass sod and oiling at once to save
them from destruction by the surface
water. The willow problem may seem
to be a big job with the millions it
would take to do any good, but l be-
lieve there are thousands of our peo-
pie that would be glad of day off
and take their families out for a
cause of this kind and make an all day
picnic of it. The bikes should first
be repaired and properly crowned.
Then set your Dixie Arbor Day and
have wagon loads of willows distrib-
uted all around the day previous also
have your grass seed sown that day
then turn the willow cutters and stick
ers loose, you would have to rake in
the grass seed, then have the tops
rolled and oiled and you will soon
have a practical dixie"
One of the most serious objections
to the present council form of govern
ment is the constant scheme called
ward trading used by the councilmen
In their dealings every year This sys-
tenn not only causes a prejudice to GER
tain wards in some cases but it is an
injury to the city at large and is a
point that should not be overlooked in
the campaign for the commission form
of government.
Ward Trading is the name given to
the actions of councilmen who support
each others wards in return for an ex-
change of votes. For instance, the
councilman from the First ward
wishes a certain block of paving and
wants it bad He goes to the council
ises him his support on any proposition
that might be brought up in exchange
for the support of The councilman from
She Second ward. Thus the First ward
having goes through and when the Sec
ond ward man has a wild cat scheme
up his sleeve he calls upon the man
from the First ward and he supports il
on account of the mentioned promise
and sometimes for this one reason
only.
Examples of this kind are apparent
at every meeting of the city council
There is always some one councilman
who stands up for a certain proposition
when down in his heart he knows that
1t is bad thing for the city and should
not be carried through. In other words
a man is absolutely dishonest in order
to protect little promise made by him
when he was in the same hole himself
The city of Topeka is in danger wher
such conditions exist. Ward Trading
is not honest. 1t is simply another
name for graft. If an outside railroad
man would persuade councilman tt
vote a certain way on railroad mat
ter the people would rise up and hollel
graft" politics" "swindle' or rob.
berry, (they all mean the same). Blu
when one councilman says to another
you support my resolution for con
crete bridge and I will support you OF
the Is blocks of paving you are asking
for" the city is loser. In all probabi
ties the city could afford neither o
them-but the councilmen have tradeC
their personal influences.
There is no disposition over the cit!
to criticize or accuse the present cit.
council of a graft of any kind. The!
NJ 1NH ~