The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-10
ObstructiOnists EnjOin Plans for
Park Extension.
Claim That Commissioners
Can't Buy West Side Tract.
ON A TECHNICALLY.
Claimed They Must Wait Until
Levy Is Made. "a
Next Probably Be Injunction
Against East Side Park.

Dr- Eva Harding mas Il1eQ a pSllllDu
in the district court asking that tho
mayor and city commissioners be re-
strained from buying a 9O-acre strip
of land adjoining Gage park. She
alleges through her attorney, II. II.
Fisher, that under the commission
form of government the whole pro-
ceedings are unlawful. The next step
will probably be an injunction against
the proposed East side park
Her main point is that there is no
existing levy for the purchase of the
park and that bonds have not been
issued-and therefore the contract for
the purchase of the park is illegal.
Mayor Billiard said this afternoon
that he didn't know what action would
be taken by the city. He said the Ie
gality of the injunction was doubt
full and until he could take the matter
up with the county attorney he would
have nothing to say.
"As far as the levy is concerned"
said the mayor. IF we desired to
purchase this park we still have time
to make levy. We have until Aug
ust to do this-and the taxes will
come in in December. This means
that we would have the available
funds this year. There is no doubt
about the levy proposition
Commissioner Stotts said:
LAS long as Topeka is trying to go
ahead and plan for the future and
the commissioners who have this am
bition in mind are haraSsed by people
who have narrow ideas, I don't know
what to say. This whole matter comes
from the fact that no arrangements
have been made for a city park on
the East side. The East side will have
a city park-and they will have it as
soon as the city can make the pur-
chase. There is no doubt about this.
But right now we must take advan-
tage of the Gage park matter and
secure this land
Commissioner Miller said:
ST have always been for an east side
park first of all worked for it years
ago when 1 was in the city council.
We hoped this year to be able to get
both parks-and 1 have been in favor
of getting Gage addition while we
have a chance. About the Injunction
i don't quite understand the legal
end of it"
w. C. Ralston. city attorney, was out
of the city and couldn't be inter-
viewed.
Commissioner Bone said:
81 haven't anything to say about it,
AS far as the city is cOncerned-here
is the proposition in a nutshell:
The land adjoining Gage park has
been valued at little more than ST.
900. The commissioners declared that
this was chance to make great city
park out of the Gage tract and they
decided to buy the land if a contract
could be made. Meanwhile they
decided also to buy tract of land on
the east side for another park. Then
on account of the customary objec-
tions that are always made when the
city attempts to make improvements,
they rested on their oars to see what
would happen.
Nothing has been done further ex
cept to make attempts to find suit
able site in East Topeka for park
If a site that costs under the levy can
be found it is proposed to levy one
mill for park purposes in July. This
would bring about $4,000. 1t was hop
ed that Gage addition could be pur-
chased and also an east side tract out
of this money.
But the levy has not been made.
The Injunction suit will cause further
delay. Topeka has been overrun with
Injunction suits lately. For Instance
the people of the city living on Is blocks
of streets wanted paving and an in
junction came from dissatisfied cltl-
zen Now it is hard to tell when the
paving will be laid-not this year at
least.
vors the purchase of the land adjoin-
ing Gage park. 1t also favors an East
side park. The commissioners favor
them and if allowed to carry out their
work for which they are paid salary
they will give the city both parks.
The East Side Park.
ct am glad to notice. said w. A. Neis- |
Nvanger THAT an energetic effort is made
to provide an East side park for the cltl-
zens of the shop district. There should
believe down in the heart of all those in
terested that there will be. The grove on
the south side of the Santa Fe shop pro-
erty known as the Schuyler C. Nlchols
tract must most certainly be preserved on
account of it's natural beauty and adapt
ability for park purposes Tor the people
of this section of the shop district and
Parkdale. But to stop here when there is
such large and beautiful tract lying Just
north and east of Santa Fe's largest hold
ing of property and adjacent to that sec
ton of it's great manufacturing plant that
will probably employ the greatest number
of people in the near future that 1t Will
not only be a lack of foresight but almost |
a crime. We have seen enough of the
development of the great Santa Fe shops
in this city, and are well enough acquaint-
ed with the men at the head of this great
system and know through meeting them
personally that not only is it a fixed bust
ness policy to concentrate the work of the
system at this point that they all have
a kind regard for Topeka, the birthplace
CT the road. So that it is safe to say
that the large addition, and new work
contemplated mentioned by daily pa
pers the past several days will in short
time be under way
AT the time of the purchase of the
Farnsworth farm of one hundred forty
five acres for the sum of $4,000 it was
first thought that only part of this tract
would be required by the railroad, but be-
for contamination of the deal. Vice Pres
dent Mr. Kendrick made the statement
that the entire farm should be secured as
Il was only a matter of time until larger
tracts would be needed by the company
and it was absurd proposition to take
M the matter again as they did on sew
eral occasions of buying improved proper
Nv The last time securing at cost of
over s1OO 900 some thing like 20 acres. This
90 acres was of course covered with homes
knowing what us in prospect for Topeka
from the Santa Fe in perhaps the near
future and in behalf of possibly 10. 600
people living north and east of the shops
trust that our commissioners represent
ing the city will Immediately take up the
matter of securing the following tracts
which are just desirable possibly a lit
tie more so than the Kline tract. the same
situated Immediately adjoining the Santa
Fe shop property on the north:
First the northwest corner OF the