- Hamilton 1922 - (Part 1 of 2) -
The following are articles taken out of the Hamilton Grit in 1922. There is an increasing sentiment in Hamilton for a water works project. It is a project that can not be long delayed. Hamilton has right at its door an almost inexhaustible supply of 99 per cent pure water.
“When the bridge was built across the creek south of town a vein of water was encountered and it required two hydraulic pumps to keep the water out so the piers could be set. It is assumed that a large well near that spot would furnish all the water this town will need for the next 20 years. The stand pipe would be placed on one of the high points near town and this would furnish a sufficient pressure for any emergency.
Mayor Wilson and the city council will likely receive a report from the Consulting Engineer F.E. Devlin who has consented to look over the ground and give a tentative tenthe estimate on cost. It is fair to conclude that Hamilton will have a water system before the year is ended, if the citizens want it, and a majority of them do.
In February of 1922 the contract for the building of the electric transmission line from Madison to Hamilton, including the water system and the white way (street lights) was let to the Kansas City Machine & Construction Company. The contract price was $18, 030 and includes everything complete with the juice turned on. Seven firms bid on the job. The successful bidder assured the City council that if the weather continues good there is no reason why they should not have the system completely installed at the end of forty days. Mayor Wilson is willing to extend the time to the full sixty days. The householders of Hamilton are busy having their homes and stores wired ready for the current when it arrives.
ar- At the Taxpayers Convention in Eureka in March of 1922 many ideas or resolutions as some wanted to call them were endorsed for lowering the taxes.
Realizing the rapid growth of out taxes threat- ens the confiscation of out homes and our businesses, we organize to exert our combined strength to reduce them and any useless office holders, inspectors, farm advisors and commissions should be taken off the backs of the producer. Therefore- We tax payers of Greenwood County, owing to low prices of farm products and rapidly increasing rate of taxation, appeal to our school boards, township boards, County Commissioners and our State Tax Commission and legislatures to reduce taxes at least 30%.
That District School Boards should hold a meeting in the county seat and agree on teachers’ wages being reduced 30%. It looks silly to let a “bunch” of boys and girls, with a few professors back of them, dictate to all the people in Greenwood County what wages must be paid. Boards of all Rural High Schools should have meetings and take similar action.
Township boards should cut roadwork, culvert and bridge construction until they reach a 30% reduction. County Commissioners should stop bridge building and laying out new roads until financial conditions are better for the tax payers, and work for a 30% reduction.
Our State Tax Commission should see that the 20% increased valuation put on land the last two or three years, be taken off and that our state tax be reduced to 14 cents on the $100 as in 1920 instead of 22 cents on the $100, as in 1921. Auto Tax should be put back to old rates and money be allowed to be spent in townships where paid. Resolved that labor prices on public highways be cut to prewar levels. Resolved that the service of the County Engineer be dispensed with.
Resolved that the County and State salaries be cut to prewar levels at the first opportunity. Resolved that the State Highway Commission be abolished. That appropriation of the State budget for our state schools be cut 30% and all unnecessary appropriations be eliminated.
That a committee of 5 be chosen in each township to look after the Township and school taxes. That a committee of 5 land owners in each county be selected to meet with the county assessors and commissioners when tax instructions are given. We recommend that the law requiring alien cattlemen paying double taxes on cattle brought into Kansas be abolished. We favor reduction of both freight and rail rates and railroad labor. We demand the budget system of taxation. We recommend the abolishing of the County Farm Agent. We pledge ourselves to vote for these principles entirely regardless of party politics.
In May of 1922 A.C. Brown, secretary of the Hamilton Commercial Club went to Eureka with the asking for the appointment of a road dragger for the south half of the district and secured the appointment of Charles Gutman. This road district is so large that Hamilton rarely received any service. The Commercial Club deserves some credit for this concession from the County Commissioners who are always anxious to serve the best interests of the county.
In June of 1922 the wires for the transmission line were being strung in the city of Hamilton. The posts for the “White Way” are being erected and connected with the cable for the “juice.” The arrival of the transformers is looked for any day now. It is confidently asserted that Hamilton will be “lit up like a battleship” within the
