The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-15
Commissioner NeWIand VIII
Ask for Generator.
If Other City Officers Raise
Budget, He'll Join.
BIG THREE AND LITTLE TWO
Combination at City Hall on
the Next Levy.
Efficiency of Light Plant De-
ponds on Action.

The two-act farce, How to Make
Newland and Tandy the Goats" or
Making Up the City Budget" as
planned in advance by other mem bers
of the city commission, was spoiled to-
day when Frank Newland, water and
lights commissioner, formally an
nounced he would make fight for a
new turbo-generato for the light
plant. He prepared a supplement to
his light budget of $4,000, previously
submitted to Commissioner WATSON,
wherein he will ask for $4,000 for the
purchase of the dynamo. He would
take $1,000 from the operating fund,
the general budget, and Sc, 600 from
the special lighting fund. In this way
he plans to ask for an increase of only
about $4,000 over last year in his gen
eral fund allowance.
Newland asked for the generator,
upon which the whole efficiency of
the light plant depends, last year. De-
spite the fact that the generator was
little better than junk, his request was
railroaded out of the budget by the
commissioners because something had
to be cut to get the general revenue
fund within the law. A combine was
formed.
Three members of the commission
stood pat for their demands and New
helpless. When it became known in
the city hall today commissioners put
their heads together and it was under
stood an attempt to big Three" the
request out of the budget will be
made again this year by u cOnbina-
ton of House and Porter with Tandy
or WATSON as the third member OF
the majority.
A Losing Proposition.
Figures in the supplement to New
lands budget show the turbo-genera-
tor now in use in the light plant has
been a losing proposition for the de-
pertinent in startling proportions
Last year it was necessary to spend
$4,000 for coal which would not have
been needed had the machinery been
efficient Repairs cost 5000. The in
crease in the price of the machine
this year over last amounts to $4,000,
making IN all loss of $4,000 to the
city in one year through the rickety
machine alone. Figures show the
loss will be as big this year If not
bigger. Excess coal will cost $4,000,
repairs $500, possibly more, and ex-
perts say there will be another in
crease OF $4,000 in the cost of SUCH
a machine.
In two years the city will have lost
$4,000 Or more than ;he increase in
the budget, as the first request made
by Newland was mole than $1,000 less
than the light budget last year.
First Act.
The first act of the budget farce
was to have been completed tonight
or Monday when Commissioner Porter
who with House waited to see what
Newland would do, expects to turn in
his budget wherein he will ask for an
increase of between $4,000 and $12,-
900. Mayor House sent his request for
the fire department to Commissioner
WATSON last night. 1t tOtaled S76,
1861, an increase of $6,S66.67 over
last year. The request was made up
by Hanlon and includes an item of
$1,000 for a new chemical truck for
the Quincy street station which is re-
sponsible for the increase. 1t is I'M
derstood the request for the new truck
will be granted, as the blue pencil is
expected to be guided by the majority,
of which Mr.. House will be the leader.
When Porter submits his request it
will contain a $4,000 item for a COM
fort station on Kansas avenue and an
increase in the milk inspectors budget
of $4,000. He will it is understood,
ask for more than these
Will Put 1t Up to Them.
Commissioner Newland will open