The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-06
A new TAX PLAN
City Would Charge Rent for
Space Under Walks.
Mayor Says Fund Could Be Used
for Fairgrounds.
FORM AN ASSOCIATION.
One May Be Organized to
Further Playground Idea.
City Attorney Looking Up Legal
ity of Proposition.
FORM AN ASSOCIATION.

City Attorney Ralston is today at
work looking up the question as to
whether or not the city can exact rem
tai on sub-sidevalk space from the nler-
chants.
1t was Mayor GREEN'S suggestion that
such rentals might be a source of reve-
nue. which might be turned over for
some good purpose preferably for the
maintenance of neighborhood play
grounds in the city
In speaking of the question this
morning the mayor said: 1.-THE thought
was given to me when 1 read this from
an article in the Technical World MAJ
azine about Joseph Patterson. the
youthful commissioner of public works
in Chicago. entitled: young Man who
Asks Questions: ~
Joe Patterson is cursed with an in
satiable curiosity.
zone day he said to the corporation
council, The streets belong to the city.
do they not?'
Are the sidewalks part of the
street?'
They are
e. Then the space under sidewalks
belongs to the city. doesn'+ it?'
" Then. if such space is used for
business purposes. the user should pay
the rent, should they not?
The result of this inquiry has al
ready added $4,000 a year to the city's
revenue, and it is estimated that after
this the subsidewalk space will bring
in an annual rental of at least quar-
ter of a million dollars.
1.-The law i'll Kansas is a little diff
ferent While the city controls the
ctr nt nV1sr1 hIIf
nevertheless it occurred to me if Chi
cago can collect, why can't Topeka?
In connection with my building on the
North side, occupied by Morns &
Myers, is a sub-SfdeWalk room, which
is very valuable.
IF the law will permit us to COL
lect rentals, all we will have to do will
be to draw up an ordinance fixing
uniform rate, say, per square yard. II
there is a difference in value between
property on the east and west side of
Kansas avenue an established rate
could be made for each side of the
street. Then we could send out col
lectOr who would measure up the
space, and if the law would permit,
put it into a special fund for the
equipment of play grounds I wouldn't
be in favor of using it for anything
except neighborhood Fairgrounds, for
equipment or superintendent
''It is only a question of time. in my
cities to make a levy for Fairgrounds
purposes, as it is an important mat
ter"
Since an address was given several
weeks ago by Superintendent L. D.
Whittemore before the Brotherhood of
the Central Congregational church,
much interest has been taken on the
part of the people of Topeka in regard
to the matter of public Fairgrounds
for the children.
In the near future it is likely that a
public playground association will be
formed in Topeka, and towards this
end committee composed of Super
intendent L. d. Whittemore, Charles
f. Eldridge and Harold T. Chase is
working. The committee is obtaining
information from other cities in re-
gard to the best methods of equip
ping and maintaining Fairgrounds.
The committee is working in conjunc-
ton with the educational and physical
committees of the Central Y NJ c. A