The Topeka state journal., 1913-06-07
City Commission Wrestles With
Gage Park Extension.
In Executive Session All Day
on Patten Proposition.
SAID TO STAND THREE TO TWO
In Favor of Accepting Tenth
Street Offer.
Pros and Cons of This Most
PerpIexing Question.

An offer of a street car line to Gage
park. guaranteed to be completed dur
ing the present year, on which work
will begin at once. was made by Super
intendent \. NJ. Patten, of the Topeka
Railway company, to the city commits
sion this morning. The extension is
to be il lieu of all other extensions and,
of course in lieu of the bond that is
up.
But the Patten proposal is that the
line follow West Tenth street to the
park-the only fly in the ointment. No
definite action had been taken on the
proposition late this afternoon, but
tie commissioners declared the pro-
posal may be accepted or rejected be-
fore they adjourn. They are now, as
they have been with exception of two
hours al noon. in executive session.
Patterns proposal is clean cut, and
he says is the only one fe can make.
The company will build the Gage park
extension beginning work at once. and
making their plans to open the line on
La Dor day, September 1. The proposed
extension will use the present West
Tenth street tracks to Morris avenue.
and then will follow West Tenth
straight out to the park.
Il believe we will be able to open the
line by September L. Mr.. Patten said,
land we will try our best to make it.
At least the line will be completed
during the present year"
According to Mr.. Patten Tenth street
is the only feasible route to the park.
1t is the only one that can be built
in a satisfactory manner. and MAIN
tain anything like a good service.
THE trouble with Vinewood park was
the service we could give out there"
Patten explained. We had to operate
the cars by telephone, and it was so
far and the route so difficult that it
took too long for people to go and
come.
by building on West Tenth we can
place our sidings so that they will be
in sight of one another. eliminating
the telephone dispatching service. We
can make the best of connections with
every part of the city, and can give a
service that will be satisfactory at all
times We could not do it on the
Eighth street line. On Tenth street we
have a double track to Clay street, and |
heavy rails from there to Morris ave
nue.. We expect to build the rest of |
the line with heavy rails all the way |
to the park
West Tenth street is the only feas- |
ible line. We cannot build on any |
other"
According to the superintendent. it
is merely a matter of the extension
offered Or none. and it is that matter
that the commission is considering.
According to the best information
ers, three, of the five are in favor of
the Gage park extension. and are will
ing to accept the offer made this
morning. One of them is said to be
opposed to any extension unless it
goes by way of West Eighth street,
and the fifth is said to be in doubt.
If the information is correct, the
commission is likely to decide upon
the Patten offer this afternoon, and
the proba bilities are that it will be
3 accepted.
There is no hitch anywhere We
are Just discussing the matter among
is all the information a
for the State Journal sue
ceeded in getting from members of
the city commission. But the COM
missioners admit they are anxious to
have the proposed park line settled
upon, and adr it also that they are
anxious to see the extension made
On file there are two petitions re-
lating to the extension. One of them |
asks for a line on West Eighth street |
and no other way Ffe-o otfIer.-and
larger, merely asks for a-line- to the
park and does not mention the mat
ter of route.
In this connection one of the city ]
commissioners. w. /. Porter, owns his
home on West Eighth street. and ad- t
rnits when he built it he expected the
park line to go out that way
But 1 am for the line to the park
whether it is finally decided best to
go on West Eighth or West Tenth" :
he said. Il do not intend to allow :
my personal feelings and wishes to /
Interfere with my sense of duty to | I
other citizens of Topeka" =
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