The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-09
Business Man Asked That To-
peka Help Erect Big Dixie.
THEY TURN HIM DOWN
w. j. Rickenbacher Fails to
Have Property Annexed.
Warm Time Thursday, Gilberg
and PawnbrOkers Meet.

j. Will Kelley. well known in local
business and real estate circles, ap-
peared before the city commissioners,
at a meeting this morning. and argued
the case of the property interests Of the
South side in the matter of the erec-
ton of a dixie, which proposition is at
present tied up in the courts.
Mr.. Kelley spoke as the representa-
tive of large business interests employ
ing hundreds of men and owning prop
erty valued at hundreds of thousands
of dollars. He was backed up in his
position by the Commercial club. MIR.
Kelley asked that the city take no part
either directly or Indirectly in the
prosecution of the suit to prevent the
building of the dixie.
The question he put squarely up 20
the commission was: Shall the city
of Topeka become party to suit 20
stop the progress of a good work, the
execution of which will save many
thousands of dollars to large manu-
featuring and packing concerns, simply
because a few small property owners
object?
The city commissioners did not meet
the issue presented. Members of the
body are not young men and would
rather two step than waltz, which they
did. They two stepped all around the
question and did nothing. The result
is that the city is indirectly connected
with a suit to block the erection of a
levee which would. if built, protect
valuable property.
In his address Mr.. Kelley pointed out
the value Of the dixie, and also the
large interests it would protect. Among
the manufacturing and other establish
ments mentioned was one of the largest
packing houses in the west, which pays
taxes upon thousands and thousands Of
dollars. and other concerns. Mr.. Kelley
showed that the section, which would
be covered by the dixie. is in the flood
district and that the concerns doins
business therein are often closed on ac-
count of high water, thus throwing
hundreds of men out of work until the
damage caused by the flood has been
repaired.
Cost to City Small.
Mr.. Kelley explained clearly that the
cost to the city of aiding in the work
of protecting the flood district by join
ing hands with those public spirited
citizens and interests who and which
are putting forward their money to
build the dixie would be small. 1t
would only amount to some $4,000.
Paying this amount would only slight
ly increase the amount of taxes. Mr..
Kelley said. The speaker wanted to
know if this city was progressive
boost or il on the other hand itfwould
continue to stand shoulder to shoulder
with the small fry who are blocking
the movement to build the dixie.
Mr.. Kelley wanted to know if the
large property owners who bear a
heavy burden in the way Of taxes were
not entitled to some consideration. He
did not argue the legal side of the
case but merely ommented upon the
action of the city in taking a position
in opposition to the erection of ar
engineering work which would be g
QTaaf nnTOVPmRnf nrPVpntin0 the
flooding of large establishments and
thus give the laboring people work al
all times by doing away with the
foods.
Attorney Spencer Replies.
C. F. Spencer. an attorney. appeared
for the small property owners, who
are fighting the improvement tootf
and nail, because 1t will add to theil
taxes. Mr. Spencer spoke of the bur
den already upon these people anG
urged the commissioners to stand to
their guns and continue to be a party
to the suit which is preventing the
building of the levee. He said that
inasmuch as the old city council had
indirectly connected the city with the
small property owners, the commits
sion should continue to stay connect
ed" He talked about the rights of citi-
zens, the ajesty of the taxpayer an6
tickled the ear drums of the commits
sioners by urging them to stand will
the people,, who refused to pay
slight increase in taxes in order thai
the large industries of the city NIGH
be protected.
Mr. Spencer also said somethins
about press agents and manipulating
newspa pers. Just what he said wa.
not clear, but he stated something. A
the conclusion of Mr.. Srencer's re
marks the board did absolutely moth.
ing.
Rickenbacher Is JoIted.
W. J. Rickenbacher, real estate
promoter, received a severe Jolt from