The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-13
WOULD COME IN.
Movement in Oakland to COnSOl.
idate With Topeka.
Leaders Prepare to Circulate
Their Petitions.
HAVE 1,SOO PEOPLE.
Town Also Has Valuation of
Over 100000.
Taxes Now as High in Oakland
as Topeka.

Word has been received at the city
hall that large number of the lead
ing citizens of Oakland, small town
adjoining Topeka on the east, are
leading a popular movement to have
their little city consolidated with To-
peka.
This is a move that has been await
ed for many years by the people OF
Topeka who are anxious that the pop
ulation of the city be increased by the
1900 Oakland souls. 1t is move also
that has been desired by a large part
of the people of Oakland.
Several attempts have been made in
the past to annex Oakland to Topeka,
but they have failed. Through the
efforts of Mayor Brigham of that
town the necessary resolutions
through the city council have been
blocked. Now the law has been
changed to read that the matter is
up to vote of the people and it looks
as though the proposition may be
passed.
The people who are forwarding the
Oakland-Topeka consolidation are
preparing to circulate petitions among
the people of the town. These petitions
will ask the city mayor and council to
call special election to vote on the
annexation.
1t is claimed at this time that the
taxes in Oakland are $1.1O. The city
taxes in Topeka are $1.50. But it is
said that on account of the inflated
valuation placed on Oakland property
the taxes really have reached as high
as the taxes now asked in Topeka.
The fact that the taxes in Oakland
have been lower than those charged
in Topeka the last few years has been
the one great feature that has kept
the Oakland people out of the annexa-
tion spirit.
Now that it is practically proved
that the taxes in Topeka comparative
ly are as low as in Oakland and that
Oakland has none of the advantages
gained by the residents of the city of
Topeka-the sentiment in favor of
consolidation has grown considerably.
It IS argued by the leaders in the
movement that at the present time
Oakland is without fire protection
except that which the Topeka depart
ment renders. 1t is claimed that the
town had not built sidewalk intersec-
tions for years and the streets are
without crossings.
With their consolidation with To-
peka they could expect fire protec-
ton, water mains. electric lights, sew
ers and all city advantages. Naturally,
some of these advantages would come
out of their own pockets through the
establishment of benefit districts.
The valuation of Oakland at this
time is figured at 100000. The pop
u1ation is estimated conservatively at
1900 with a possible 1000. The resi-
dents are workers of Topeka large
number from the Santa Fe shops. The
town. does not have a bonded indebt-
edness and is in good shape as town
annex to a city the size of Topeka.
To become incorporated in the To-
peka city limits the citizens of Oak
land would find it necessary to go
through the following legal course:
Petitions for an election would be
circulated and if signed by ten per
cent of the legal votes the matter
could be placed before the mayor and
city council. With this public petition
the mayor and council would find it
necessary to call a special election on
the matter.
If in this election the voters of both
sexes gave a majority vote to the con-
soIidation the petition would be taken
up with the Topeka mayor and com
missioners. Here a meeting between
the mayor and commissioners of To-
peka and the mayor and council of
Oakland would take place and a COM
bination ordinance will be drawn up.
Then the Oakland mayor and council
will be dissolved-and Topeka will be