The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-19
IDLE CREMATORY.
This Is What Topeka Has on
Its Hands Until 1911. +.
Plant Just Finished But There's
No Money to Run 1t.
COST ABOUT $4,000.
City Has No Horses, Wagons,
Men or Equipment for Use.
Commissioner Tandy Offers Use
OF the Street Wagons.
COST ABOUT $4,000.

Topeka'S new garbage crematory, just
erected at a cost of about $4,000 to the
taxpayers will lie idle at the foot Of
jackson street until next year. The
old mayor and council form of govern
ment didn't provide for sufficient funds
to operate the plant and as the COM
mission form of government cannot
spend mere money Than it has on hand
there is no way by which the city can
obtain the money to start the crema-
tory machinery.
The garbage plant, which is consid-
cred one Of the best. most complete and
most modern in this part of the coun-
try will be completed and ready for
use next week. 1t has a capacity Of
burning 40 tons of garbage a day and
the people of the city have plenty OF
garbage on hand to burn.
According to Commissioner Holman.
who has charge Of this department of
city work, there is nothing for the city
to do but lock the doors of the plant
and let the machinery soak in oil until
the taxes come in and money can be
obtained to buy horses, garbage collec-
ton wagons and hire men.
Through the terms of the contract it
is necessary that the constructing firm
put the plant in operation for 80 days
prior to its possession by the city. f.
G. Horseman, of the firm of Lewis &
ready to give the plant trial and he
appeals to the people of the city to
collect all the garbage possible and he
will burn it for the benefit of the city
officials and give the plant real test
Mr.. HorSeman is in Topeka today.
ST am anxious to show the people of
the city what the plant will do he
said. ST am positive that it Is one
Of the most complete little plants in
the west and 1 want to prove its
WORTH
The city commissioners are pleased
with the crematory as it stands. 1.-The
Lewis & Kitchen people have given the
city less trouble and have given us
more satisfaction than any other con-
tracing firm that has ever done BUSH
ness here said Commissioner Tandy
this afternoon. They have spent
much more money on this plant than
was required in the contract. They
have been willing, always, to give us
the latest of all machinery on the
market and they have not fused over
the expense. I feel that Topeka has a
garbage crematory to be proud off,
f. Mr.. Tandy is anxious to see the plant
in operation this summer and fall Il
will do all l can to donate the use of
the street wagons If the pepople will
collect their garbage and put it in a
convenient. place" said Mr.. Tandy. III
is unfortunate that the city should find
itself out of funds and allow this big
plant to be idle all the rest of the year
but according to the commission laws
We can do nothing else
Next year the commissioners hope to
start the crematory in full blast and
keep the city clean thereafter.
I'm the levies for the coming year
we have provided for horses, wagons,
men and all equipment necessary TO
start and maintain the plant said
Commissioner Holman today. "At this
| time we have no money and no way to
| collect the garbage. The people do not
have their cans and there is no plan
| ned scheme for collection for the gain
| ing of a revenue in the operation of
| the crematory.
1.-The first of January we will have
| the money to do all these things and
we will make arrangements at that
time. The present season is almost
spent and 1 see no reason why we
should worry about starting the plant
this year.
The proposition of a big garbage
crematory lying idle for six Nonths
does not appeal to the board o. COM
missioners and it is possible that they
will be able to invent some scheme of
| operating the plant.