The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-28
LeavenwOrth Pushing to Front
Under Commission Plan.
Was First Kansas City to Adopt
New Plan.
REDUCE POLICE FORCE
Telephone and Telegraph Lines
Under Ground.
Real Estate Levy Raised to OFF,
set Loss of Saloons.

Leavenworth. Kan, Feb. 2S.-Leayen-
worth has just completed her second
year under the commission form of
government with a record of achieve
ments. Leavenworth is almost dry.
Five and one-half miles of pavement
have been laid at cost of $162, 062. 81
since the adoption OF the commission
form, April Is. 1905. In that same per-
fod 151a miles of curbing have been
constructed at a cost of $2S,932.67.
Flushing carts have been purchased and
the streets actually kept clean. Old
brick and board walks have been re-
moved and concrete laid.
Two factories employing 500 men and
several smaller concerns have located
here. Seven corporations have increas-
ed the size of their factory buildings
and working forces. Business houses
formerly occupied by saloons are being
sold or leased for factory purposes. Old
wooden awnings built half a century
agos to whose posts country horses were
hitched, have been removed.
The police force has been reduced.
Fewer officials transact the citys bus
mess. Telegraph and telephone lines are
under ground in the business district.
A practical and thorough food and milk
inspection is exercised. Milk retired to
solitude for "a hours must show cream.
City regulation, inspection and supervi-
sion of weights and measures protect
the public.
More Cancelled Bonds.
Leavenworth has more and better
churches, fewer joints, more Cancelled
bonds, fewer interest coupons, longer
terms of school. more students and less
illiteracy, more homes, and fewer cases
on the divorce docket.
OF the four largest cities in Kansas
which have adopted the commission
form OF government. Leavenworth was
pioneer.
Leavenworth cid not adopt the COM
mission plan so much for the form as
to revoiutionize and renovate the NUM-
cipaI machinery.
Representative D. r. Anthony of the
First Kansas district. when mayor of
Leavenworth in 1866. closed many sa-
looms. He demonstrated to the business
men that enough money could be had
from the remaining so saloons to pave
five miles of street every year. But later |
the saloon income failed to continue in |
ternal improvements and the dissatis- |
faction which had been developing |
came to the surface abruptly. A bust |
ness administration by business men |
was demanded.
o. p. Lambert was president of the |
Greater Leavenw orth club. The men
selected by the club and elected in 1908
as the first Kansas commission, were
Z. w. GRANGER as mayor, Omar Aber- |
nathy, o. P. Lambert, Henry Knipe !
and Albert Doege. commissioners.
1t was Mayor GRANGER S idea to assess |
the saloon men and spend all funds in |
Improvement of highways and public |
buildings. The plans of the commits |
sioners were abruptly shattered when |
Attorney General Fred S. Jackson sent |
his assistant to watch the commission |
on the Leavenworth check |
GRANGER and the commission |
ers thought the city needed the money |
derived from the levy on saloons. Jack |
son explained to the commissioners |
that the revenue must be cut off. Jack \
mnr, told the commissioners To close the
saloons.
GRANGER gave out the edict that the
saloons must be closed. The mayor
pointed out the places and demanded |
the appearance of 1ointists in court or
an explanation from the officers. One
by one retail liquor dealers were ar
rested.
The commissioners raised the levy on
real estate to Offset the loss of saloon
cut off superfluous en-
plcyes, began cleaning alleys, paving
streets and laying sidewalks. Commits
afoner Henry Knipe supervised street |
night. Citizens petitioned for curbing
and 81 streets were curbed in 190S-O9.
Thirteen streets were paved. 2S culverts,
manholcs, retaining walls and catch |
basins were constructed.
O. p. Lambert. commissioner of lights
and public property. worked out a
scheme Of electric lights throughout the
business and residence sections, and
200 electric bulbs diffuse lights where
darkness prevailed before. Albert
Doege, commissioner of finance, resign
ed as city treasurer at $1,000 a year
to accept a commissionership at 81.
Doege suggested employing an audi
tor Thomas 3. Kern, the first city
auditor in. Leavenworth. went about his
work with an inQuiring, untiring in
slstence.
In Abernatay's department he enjoy
ed the enthusiastic support of the city
physician. C. r. Carpenter. DR.. Car
penter instituted search for blue milk
and unSanitary conditions. He has in
stituted legal proceedings against al
legged violators of the Blue john or
dinsnce. The quality of Leavenworth' s
food supply has improved.
GRANGER urged every department to
intense activity. Crancer's hobby while
mayor was to tear up brick and stone
W alks and lay cement. Alexander Cald-
we'll, president of the First National
bank of Leavenworth, objected when
the stone walks in front of the bank