The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-06

:, AZ NIL o, 1911
in the background and humanitarian
issue of an auditorium for the safety
of the children and wives # Topeka
should be raised.
Gentlemen,'' said Mayor House,
we usually thresh such matters out
in a star chamber session, and we'll in
form you of our decision later
NO" said Commissioner Tandy,
lets thresh it out right now"
The business men were leaving
Mayor House called them back and
announced that the matter would be
decided Immediately.
wen hear from Mr.. Tandy," said
the mayor.
Tandy Gives Views.
I'VE all agree that we should have
fireproof auditc RUM said Commits
sioner Tandy. 1.-The only proposition
which we must settle is whether
not the commissioners shall call an
election without first receiving petit
tions."
The laws governing city government
provide for petitions for nearly every
thing excepting such elections as these.
We can't lay twenty-five feet of paw
ing without receiving a petition sign
ed by a majority of the property own
ers. But the laws governing commits
sion government leaves it optional
with the commission in calling an
election
II agree with the editor of the State
Journal in regard to the matter. L
talked with him Thursday and he in
stantly told me he believed it would
be detrimental to the proposition to
proceed in any irregular manner and
call an election without petitions, that
it would cause the people to believe
there was something being slipped
over on them.
I'VE demanded petitions a year ago
when a special election was called and
now right after our city election,
are asked to call an election without
petitions 1t would be a mighty hard
the precedent stablished."
Porter of Same Opinion
Commissioner Porter echoed the
views of Commissioner Tandy.
And 1 wish to add something about
Hanlon'S statement said Porter.
Every time there has been a large
crowd in the auditorium 1 have advis-
ed with the fire chief Any time he
tells me there is danger in packing this
auditorium, you may rest assured that
1 will close it up. AS l understand it,
there is more apprehension that some
one will shout fire and a stampede
ensue than over an actual fire.
THE same danger would prevail in
a new auditorium, altho 1 am in favor
of a new building and wish to place
myself on record as being not only in
favor of it but ready and willing to
axe off my coat and go out and work
for it anytime you present a sufficient
number of names on petition to this
commission
Commissioners Newland and WATSON
endorsed the expression of the preced-
ing speakers.
ium," said Mayor House, land will
assist in every way possible in secur-
ing one for Topeka. But gentlemen
1 will stand with the other commits
sioners on this other proposition"
Here Hayden injected a few re-
marks.
You want petitions circulated by
laboring men such as Mr.. Alexander
of the Wolff Packing company, who
spoke a few moments ago." said Hay
den. Every name obtained by a man
working for the plan from a desire to
build a safe auditorium for our wives
and children means a vote at election
for a new auditorium. But when you
send men and women from house to
house, paid for circulating petitionS,
people sign it to get rid of them and
many of them will vote against it at
the election.
1.-THE editor of the State Journal
was repeatedly urged yesterday and
today to go with the Chamber of
Commerce and ask the city commits
sioners to call an election forthwith
without the customary petition. He
declined 10 serve in that capacity and
he denies the Chamber of Commerce
or any of its officers the propriety of
misrepresenting the State Journals
position on the Auditorium. or any
project looking 10 the welfare of To-
peka and her citizens or her visitors
The State Journal has a reputation
of thirty years on those subjects that
can not be set aside by any peevish
act of the Chamber of Commerce.
which proposes to sit back and not
take the pushing part it should be-
cause the commissioners will not evade
their duty.
This papers views are expressed on
the editorial page of this paper to-
day, and they ought to be the views of
the members of the Chamber Of Com
merce.