The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-09-30
MR.. WALKERS LONG TRIP.
Came all the Way From New York to
See Yesterdays Parade.

POStpOning an urgent business en-
gagement. Aldace F. Walker, chairman
of the board of directors of the Santa
Fe system, travelled all of Monday
night, Tuesday and Tuesday night and
arrived in this city yesterday at noon
for the express purpose OF viewing the
Santa Fe celebration parade and ad-
dressing the Santa Fe employees yes
terday afternoon.
1t was trip of over one thousand
miles, and Mr.. Walker made it in a
sleeping car without the usual conven-
fence of a special car, accorded him on
all occasions. The decision to come to
Topeka was arrived at too hastily for
Mr.. Walker to secure the customary
started from New York city a letter
was received by Treasurer Edward
Wilder in this city stating that it would
be absolutely impossible for him to at
tend.
My business engagements. were of
such Importance that I at first felt that
it would be impossible for me to attend
the celebration, said Mr.. Walker to-
day, but the more 1 thought of the
matter the more I became impressed
that it was my duty to be here and
dropped everything on Monday and
started for Topeka. And I want to say
right now, that after witnessing the
parade yesterday, I feel amply repaid
for my trip from New York to Topeka.
What did I think of it?" continued
Mr.. Walker in reply to a question. Why
it was simply wonderful. I never
dreamt for moment that even the
thousands of employees of the Santa Fe
railway in Kansas could get together
such an array of displays and provide
the parade that they provided yester-
day. 1t exclipsed any demonstration
that I have ever seen, and undoubtedly
will go down into history as the great
est railroad celebration of our United
States
Mr.. Walker arrived on train No. at
noon yesterday and in response to a
hi NIX ar a
ing was met at the depot by Mr.. w. G.
'Garvey, chairman of the executive COM
imttee in charge of the Santa Fe cele-
bration. The parade was then in pro-
gress, and thinking that all of the
space on the reviewing stand was oc-
cupied, Mr.. Walker requested that he
some other point. Accordingly he was
driven to the residence of General Man
ager J. J. Frey at the corner of Ninth
and Topeka avenue, and from the porch
of the residence saw the entire parade,
as he arrived there before the head of
the procession had executed the coun-
termarch on Harrison street and cross
ed to Topeka avenue.
Floats and men continued to pass
until thought there was no end to the
parade" said Mr.. Walker, land every
display was creditable piece of work.
1t was certainly a great day for Kan
SaS, because the state and the Santa
Fe railway are so closely identified that
what reflects credit on one reflects cred
it on the other. To say that it sur
passed all my expectations is putting it
mildly, because my expectations were
far from the point of comprising the
showing made by the Santa Fe en-
ployeS yesterday.
mot having seen the celebration the
people in the east cannot have an ad-
equate idea of what was carried out,
but I shall take it upon myself on my
return to New York to help them to at
least a partial understanding of what
occurred said Mr.. Walker in conclu-
sion. 1.-THE Santa F'e employees in Kan
sas can feel that they have done some
thing, the equal of which was never
before accomplished in this country
Mr. Walker will leave this afternoon
at o'clock for New York city Up to
by a position from which he can view
the Floral parade this afternoon. He
stated this morning that he had heard
of the success of the Floral parade last
year, and was anxious to view the pa
rada today