The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-23
RAISE THE TAXES?
Mayor Billiard Asks People of
Topeka a Question.
Necessary Improvements Would
Increase the Levy.
ssWHAT SHALL WE DOT"
This Is Billiards. Ultimatum to
City Taxpayers.
Answers to Question AreWanted
Immediately.
"WHAT SHALL WE DO?''

Do the people of Topeka want TO
stand for raise in taxes?
This is a question submitted to the
taxpayers of this city by Mayor Billiard
today.
The mayor. after three months of fig
uring and checking, has found that IN
order to pay for the improvements
needed in Topeka at this time. it will be
necessary to raise the tax levy for the
coming year:
If the people of the city are willing
to pay for these improvements, the
mayor and city commissioners Will lay
out their improvement plans and the
budget for 1912 will be arranged at
once.
The recent clamor in Topeka for
more parks, for improvements in parks,
has aroused the mayor. Following an
editorial in the State Journal the 9TH
er evening calling for levy of one
mill for park purposes Mayor Billiard
has found his cue.
/ AS a result he submits to the taxpay-
ers of Topeka a partial list of improve
Tnents that are needed-improveme
that are necessary for the welfare of
the city. If the people want these i'm
provements and are willing to stand Il
slight increase in their taxes, the city
commissioners will spend the money.
More Money for Park.
The first item is in the matter of
parks. Mayor Billiard says Topeka
needs more parks and more money for
parks. The -east5aside of the city needs
the Hurley park and other parks
should be enlarged and improved.
81 am in favor of a full mill tax for,
park purposes" said the mayor. That
is, if the people will favor it. What do
they Say?'
The next item concerns the fire de-
partment.
The mayor and commissioners believe
IN
motor trucks. Every city in the ooun-
try is purchasing motor trucks for fire
service. They have proved practical
and satisfactory. They are needed in
Topeka.
Furthermore the city needs an addi-
ton to the No. 1 fire station in North
Topeka in order that a steamer may be
placed in this engine house. With the
millions invested in big mills on that
side of the river and without close
steamer service the owners of mills are
not receiving the proper protection
fire station is crowded and should have
the entire waterworks office in the city
hall, is the idea of Mayor Billiard.
'- City Hall Needs Repairs.
The city hall needs an addition. All
of the offices are crowded. 1t is a
disgrace in the fnterior-dirty walls
and broken plaster. A new building
should be provided for the water
works department and many of the
other offices should be enlarged and
improved.
The city needs a new pest house. A
barn is used for a pest house at this
time and sometimes people with va
rious diseases are cooped up in three
rooms. 1T is shame and a. disgrace
to herd people into this shack like
CATTLE says Commissioner Miller A
new pest house is needed at once.
Mayor Billiard believes the city
should have a work house-a place to
take care of the prisoners and give
them plenty of work. Also a place for
the unemployed in the city. He be-
lieves the county should join with the
city in a work house of this kind.
The street force should be doubled
Complaints come in every day, say the
comm iSSioners, because the Topeka
streets are dirty. The present force
should be doubled and every street in
the city kept in sanitary condition.
Likewise the alleys.
Macadamize the Streets.
Dirt streets in the outskirts of the
city should be macadamized for the
benefit of the business and trade of
Topeka. Many roads outside of To-
peka are macadamized to the city
limits-and then the city dirt streets
join them. For the interests of the
out of town people as well as the
people in the city it is commended that