The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-11
City Water Superintendent to
Run for Commissioner. :,
Announces His Candidacy for
Next Election Today.
HAS Been IN WORK 80 YEARS
Entered Service of the Old Pri-
vate Company in 1888. =
FaEors. Emergency Fund and
Higher Wage Schedule.

Based on an experience of thirty
years in the water business, Superin-
tendent Jesse Shaw, of 1914 East Sixth
street, this morning announced his
candidacy for the position OF commits
sioner of lights and water. His papers
will be filed this evening at the office
of the city clerk.
The Topeka City Water company
had been in operation for six years
when Shaw joined their force in 1855.
He had been working as superintend-
ent of the old horse car line. This line
and the water company were owned by
the same people. Shaw Joined the
staff of the water company as as
sistant to the secretary. He was made
treasurer of the company in 1891, and
in 1892 was given the office of mana
gec.
The city of Topeka bought out the
water company March 1, 1905, and
Shaw was retained in the employ of
the city as superintendent of the water
department. He has occupied that
position in the city water department
ever since that date.
Shaw came to Kansas in 1871 and
has been in Topeka practically all the
time since 1873.
II have always had a pride In the
operation of the water department"
said Superintendent Shaw land
ship of the water plant prove a sue
cess" Shaw has in mind a more or
less definite program or platform upon
which he intends to launch his cam
paign. At present he asserts that he
has not sufficiently worked out a
definite enough program to permit of
publication.
Pay Own Way.
It is Superintendent Shaws idea
that the water department can be
made to pay its own way and leave
over enough to create a substantial
sinking fund for requirements.
81 am in favor of creating an
emergency fund to make requirements
of machinery and other equipment"
he said. II feel that it is unnecessary
to come before the people with a re-
quest for a bond issue to pay for i'm
provements if in any way the depart
| ment can be made to pay for them it
SELF
One of the chief planks of Shaw's
| platform probably will be plans fol
the establishment of FACILITIES for by
| passing water pumped during the
| hours of the night when the water de-
| mand is low, creating a surplus that
| could be drawn on in emergencies
| This would necessitaee a reservoir OF
! some sort which he says could be con-
| structed at a cost not at all prohibi-
tive in consideration oethe benefit ex-
| peeted to be derived from it's installa.
| ton. This is a feature that he has
recommended before and his judg-
ment on this matter has been borne
| cut by similar recommendations made
| by Engineer Hopper, now in charge Of
| the pumping station.
satisfactory working wage for the
| average days work of the employees
| of the water department is also an
| other feature that it is believed he will
| attempt to work out.
The only other candidate who has
announced his intention of getting his
feet into the water running is W. A
| Stanfield, of 427 Jefferson street, who
is now connected with the Machinists
| Electric company. Stanfield is the
| candidaee who was Endorsed by the
| labor unions at a recent meeting held
| to decide upon the candidates to whom
| they would give their support