The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-07
Make Known Their Final Deci.
sion on Question.
TOO MUCH WORK NOW
Paving For 1909 Keeping
Streets Torn Up.
Petition From Commercial Club
Thrown in Basket.

The grand final decision of the city
commissioners on the 1910 paving prob
ler1 was given out today when each
member of the city board of commits
sioners stated to the State Journal that
under no consideration would they let
any contracts for paving in Topeka
this year.
When the announcement to this eff
rect was first made about six weeks
ago it was thought that through a.
mammoth petition or large sentiment
on the part of the taxpayers, the city
commissioners could be persuaded to
allow the paving contracts for 1910.
Many attempts were made by differ
ent city organizations to change the
action and the new policies of the COM
missioners. Each attempt was a fail
ure. Meetings at the Commercial club
and at other public places failed to
meet with any response on the part of
the city officials.
Declaring that the old unfinished
paving contracts would keep the city
streets torn up long enough and that
the large number of citizens were
clamoring for clean streets at least
part of year, the commissioners re-
fused to listen to the prayers for new
pavement.
1t is a well known fact that last
years contracts are still unfinished and
that there are many streets in Topeka
at this time in bad condition waiting
for the contractors to complete the
contracts contracted a year ago.
1t was attempted at one time to in
f1uence the city commissioners to grant
paving contracts on dirt streets con-
Meeting paved streets and where it
would not cost the city cent for con-
Struction.
This proposition was presented to the
commissioners but like all other petit
lions it fell by the wayside even after
Mayor Billiard had expressed his ap-
prevail of the scheme
The other day George s. Badders.
secretary of the Commercial club,
wrote a letter to the commissioners in
behalf Of the club asking that they re-
consider their action and bring 1t up
for reconsideration. He pointed out
two blocks across Elmhurst where the
route to Washburn college could be cut
shorter and the driving much Detter IL
the two blocks were paved.
This was the straw that broke the
camel's back.
'JJnder no circumstances will we lay
pavement this year. said Commission
er Miller.
even If we cared to let paving con-
tracts it would be impossible" said
Mr.. Tandy.
Nothing doing this year." said Com
missioner Zone.
mo paving until next year" from
Mr.. Holman.
aI guess it is too late now to talk
1910 paving" came as a last word OF
cheer from Mayor Billiard.
The following is the plea from Sec
retarv Badders for paving this year:
Gentlemen: I desire to call your at
tention to the unpaved two blocks on
Morris avenue between Eleventh and
Huntoon streets. This is the main
thoroughfare from the popular West
Sixth and West Tenth street drives
to the Washburn and Country club dis
trict.
The only other available street to
cross is Clay, which is six blocks east
of Morris There is scarcely a day
that I do not have to steer some
visitor to Topeka away from this dis
reputable two blocks.
On behalf of the thousands of users
of automobiles and carriages in To-
peka who want to use this street and
for the sake of the impression made
on thousands of visitors to Topeka an
nually, 1 appeal to your honorable
body to resurrect the petition present
ed some time ago and reconsider the
same. GEO. .. bADDE1S'
Secretary of Commercial Club.