Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1918-01-17

best judgment in disposing OF this
question.
IS. 1t will be necessary that you
elect one of your number to serve as
President of the Council.
10. On the Sanitary question, /
have the following report to make.
The question is still unsettled. There
are various influences being brought
to bear on the situation. Namely the
Mayors efforts, the newspaper COM
ments, criticisms and suggestions, the
local and the state board of health,
the County Attorney, the Baxter
Springs Chamber Of Commerce, the
City Marshal, the Justice Of the
Peace, and the Scavinger. 1t Is to be
hoped that with this great 'aggrega-
ton of power something effective
will be accomplished. The representa-
tive of the State Board of Health in
formed me when here, that bad smells
did not create sickness, nor was 1t
dangerous to health. am very glad
to have so many able co-workers to
join in this great cause, and now feel
that criticism will henceforth have to
be laid against the joint company. 1t
has been o close race between the
water question and the sanitary ques-
ton as to which has occupied first po-
sition as the white elephant Of the
city. We are all finding out as we go
along that it requires very ordinary
mental exertion to become an expert
grumbler, criticiser and even q kick
err, but that it does require both men
tai and physical exertion to shape up
the big things now on hand in the city
of Baxter, and to properly execute the
work to the end, that efficiency may
be obtained and the best results &C.
complshed for all concerned.
20. / have been duly informed that
a delegation composed Of six or more
members of the Baxter Chamber OF
Commerce will appear before the
council at this meeting for the pur-
pose of confering with the Council re-
garding the water question. We are
to exchange views touching this most
and aggravating question.
The petition filed with the Council
some time ago requesting the Council
to call an election to vote bonds for
u Municipal Water Plant can now be
acted upon. Action was deferred on
this petition at the time it was filed
and until the bigger franchise which
had been passed by the Council, could
be finally disposed of. Had we called
an election at that time we might
have caused an ENHANCEMENT and
placed the city in comprising posi-
ton. There is q question in my mind
as to the legal qualifications of this
petition, and it is my opinion that the
Council is now ready to call an cleo
ton if the people desire it. 1t is my
this is one of the
things to be decided at this meeting.
Allow me to briefly point out to you
the different ways you can go in the
settlement of the water proposition.
First: The City can grant as many
as it chooses. This plan
has failed.
Second: Under a special provision of
the Statutes as provided in Sec. 1851,
1915, the city can compel the extern
sion of the present plant to meet the
of the City,.
Third: The city can take over the
present plant under appraisement or
make terms and buy it.
Fourth: The City can vote bonds,
Sec. 1876, 1918, S. and Sec. 855, 1916,
s., for a Municipal Plant to an amount
Of about $14OOOOOO The City could
do this, but it is a mooted question
it could be done and the city
go clear of legal entanglements and
The present Franchise
has about seven years to run. would
Gentlemen, seek to avoid
legal difficulties, aim to arrive at
which will conserve the
best interest Of the City, and do not
act so hastily as to forget the legal
and moral rights of all parties inter-
nsted in this question.
81. l would suggest that you pass
an Ordinance imposing a stiff license
fee for peddling goods and for selling
goods from and on the streets. The
object of this ordinance is to prohibit
being sold on the streets
in competition with the city meF-
chants, who pay an annual license
and who pay a large amount Of all
taxes.
%. / desire to call your attention
to an appointment which / have re-
ceived from Gov. Capper. ! will ask
Won to take such action regarding It