The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-19
CITY HALL NEWS
w. iii. Kemper VIII Be First
Judge Small Debtors Court.


city commission Mr. Kemper begins
his duties today. Before the mayor
appointed him, he thoroughly investi-
gated the case. He didn't want his
appointee rescinded by the civil service
or the tax payers league. He asked
City Attorney RaIston if Mr.. Kemper
could hold the Office of election COM
missioner if he were judge of the court.
The attorney looked up half a dozen
ordinances. and said that he could
Then c. H Kutz, chairman of the
civil service board. reached over, pick
ed the matter up from the mayors
desk and placed it in his own hands.
Mr. Kemper's got to take a civil
service examina tion," said Mr.. Kutz-
"AT right said the mayor mildly
This morning the commission re-
ceived a communication from the civil
service board 1t declared the board
had decided that the judge of the
small debtors court did not come ur-
der its Jurisdiction since the office car
ried no salary
wherewith the mayor rejoiced and
presented the name for approval.
Rcdistricting the City.
Mr.. Kemper has begun redistricting
the city He planned it several months
ago. Topeka Is to have 80 precincts
instead of %. Following communica-
ton was received from the election
commissioner this morning:
ITO comply with the law provides
that no more than 500 votes be in any
one voting precinct and there being
no possible chance to change the ward
boundaries is only necessary to in
crease the number of precincts to 80.
In doing this and figuring it on
basis of 1900 votes the expense for
judges and clerks is only s35 more Tor
| 80 precincts than it is for %. This is
because the first 200 votes cost only
three cents each and all over that
number in any precinct cost five cents"
Mr.. Kemper also called the atten-
ton of the commission to the fact that
the names of several streets in To-
peka are duplicated-there are several
Garfields. Divisions. Locusts, St Johns,
and Parks.
Approve Skene Park Sewer Plans.
The commission this morning passed
a resolution approving the construc-
ton of sewer No. 81 in Skene's Park,
bounded on the south by Fifteenth
street, on the north by Thirteenth on
the west by the Santa Fe tracks, and
on the east by the Shunganunga- The
| 5000 feet of 12-inch pipe will cost ap-
proximately $1,000 Protests will be
heard within the next 20 days, bids
will be advertised for as soon as pos
sible, and work will commence July 1.
Commissioner Tandy plans to begin
construction of the $21 900 Auburndale
sewer at the same time.
The public sewer ordinance, present
ed for second reading this morning,
occasioned some discussion between
Commissioners Tandy and Porter, who
disagreed on the passage of the city
statute regarding automobiles
The ordinance provides that the street
commissioner be in charge of sewers,
that the sanitary sergeants investi-
gate and report them, that the super
intendent of streets shall flush them.
Why should the street commissioner
superintend work done by the sanitary
sergeants?' Mr.. Porter demanded, the
sanitary sergeants have work enough
it is. The two departments are go
ing to get mixed up
Mr.. Porter was finally persuaded that
the sanitary sergeants would not be
imposed upon, and pacincally voted
AYE" on passage of the act.
Tomorrow, May 20. is the last day
for receiving sidewalk petitions. Three
were referred to Commissioner Tandy
today-one on the east side of West
from King to Twelfth; another on
Shawnee from Chickasaw to Cherokee;
a third on Woodward from Munson to
Twelfth.
Claim of Gregory Fuentes, asking 81
500 for damages received when he fell
into a manhole near 1o2 Sixth avenue
on March II, 1918, has been rejected on
recommendation of F. NJ Newland and
l.
referred.
The civil service commission who Sat-
urday heard the case of William Conk-
lin city plumbing inspector, charged
with incornpetency, notified the mayor
said charges did not constitute suffi-
cient cause for removal, and recon-
mendei that Mr.. Conklin be retained.
Taxpayers object tc an unsightly bill
board maintained by l. NJ and Roy
Crawford on the northwest corner OF
West Eighth avenue and Van Buren,
missioner Tandy. Petition to erect an
electric sign with 16-inch Illuminated
letters IN front of Stansfield's drug
store, c32 Kansas avenue, was grant
ed Appropriation ordinance for &c.
S3I 40 was presented for first reading.
The commission resolved that stag
naut water in lot No. 492 East Sixth
is dangerous to health and that it be
filed or drained. John R Mulvane.
agent. was instructed to have the work
completed by June l.
Upon request of owners of billiard
and pool halls an ordinance repeating
ordinance No 1920, recently approved,
was presented for first reading Or
dinance makes it unlawful for owner
to permit playing after 1880 and in
structs him to cover his tables at that
time Maximum fine for violation is
500.
The commission adjourned to meet
Tuesday morning to approve the semi
monthly payroll.