The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-10
TIME TO HUSTLE.
Santa Fe Celebration at Some
Points Under Way
But at Others it Requires Some
Strong Pushing.
EmpOria One of the Cities That
Needs Awakening.
A VISIT TO THE TOWN
Shows Santa Fe Men Willing,
But No Starter.
A Travelling Organizer Seems
to be What's Wanted.

While the coming Santa Fe celebra-
ton is splendidly and perfectly organ
ized at Topeka, and will turn out $500
men and 20 floats in the procession, as
much can not be said of the other
points on the road in Kansas. At some
of the division points notably Newton,
Arkansas City and one two others,
there is much interest and will be suit
able displays, but the remainder of the
towns have taken scarcely any action,
and something must be done. 1t is not
enough for the general officers of the
company to merely signify that the
company is willing that the employees
celebrate. Willing is putting it too
mild. The company ought to come to
the front and push. 1t is an advertise
ment for the road that is worth $250,0G0
to it The high officials of the road
should get up more enthusiasm than
the word willing expresses. OF course
the employees are anxious and glad to
do something, and have already con-
tributed a large sum of money. The
company ought to duplicate every dol
lar raised by the employees and do its
share toward the success of the cele-
bration. The railroad company has
just as good cause to rejoice over this
anniversary as the employees, perhaps
more.
There ought to be 10000 men in the
procession; there ought to be promi-
nent railroad men from all over the
United States here; there ought to be
two pages of pictures in Harpers
Weekly about it. 1t is not intended to
fasco 1t won't hurt the Santa
Fe road to spend several thousand dol
lars on its own celebration and it ought
to do tilt spends hundreds of thousands
on advertising every year and this is q.
new and original plan of advertising
that beats anything that it has done
before. OF course the management is
willing that the employees shall take
part. 1t should also be willing to the
tune of good round sum to do some
thing itself. 1t should be more than
willing. It should be enthusiastic and
pushing; and it wants to begin to push
right off-today.
to investigate along the line of the
Santa F'e to see what is going to be
done. The first large Santa Fe town
near US is Emporia. A reporter was
sent to see the railroad men at EN-
poria. Nothing has so far been done
there; although the fire department of
Emporia is coming to the Fall Festival,
the military company, the brass band
and the A. o. U. w. lodges, the railroad
men there have not yet made a move.
Among the men who have watched
the progress of the celebration scheme
and are interested in it, the trouble lies
in the fact that none care to take the
responsibility of starting the matter.
Every man is lying on his oars waiting
for the other man to make the start
and in consequence the start has never
been made. There are enough employ
to work up a display if the matter were
once started. If nothing else can be
done let the delegation come with a
handsome banner. No more need be
asked.
Mr.. H. B. Morris, who for a number
of years has been in charge of the EN-
poria yards, is one of the men who have
watched the celebration with considera-
BILE interest, and is willing to do some
thing toward arranging a display if he
can secure the cooperation of a ma
of
reporter Mr.. Morris said last night:
There has been but little talk among
the men in Emporia concerning the
Santa Fe celebration, and what talk
there has been has not been encourage
ing. have doubt that delegation
of at least so of the Emporia employees
Santa Fe day, but there is apparently
but little interest along the line of ar |
ranging a display.
There are between so and 100 en-
ployes of the road here, and in my opin- |
ion there is no reason why EmpOria |
should not be represented by a display |
in the celebration parade. But man |
doesn't feel like proposing something |
when there is apparently no interest in
connection with it, and for this reason |
haven't said anything about it. OF |
very busy. but 1 hardly think a great |
deal of time would be necessary in get
ting up a representation.
Il am sure that L am willing to do all |
can to arrange display, and I have |
about made up my mind to at least |
make an attempt to have something |
done. 1 propose to talk with Train |
master Bailey and Foreman Under |
wood of the shops and Sc if we can't |
get the men together on this scheme |
If we are going TO do anything we will |
have to start soon, that's sure"
Trainmaster D. B. Bailey said:
1.-The present heavy business keeps |
me out on the road the greater part |
of the time, and 1 have had but little /
chance to think of the Santa Fe cele- |
ration. All the Emporia employees |
are very busy just at this time and |
this probably accounts for the lack of |
action in the affair. I think all of the |
employees who can possibly get away |
will go to Topeka during the Fall Fes- |
tival, but I doubt if a display will be |
sent from here.
IF someone who is in Emporia reg |
ularly will start the matter, l win give |
him all the help I can in getting up a |
display to represent this city. L can |
do nothing towards starting it myself, |
because 1 absolutely haven't the time |
with business the way it is''
Mr.. Walter Law, night watchman ind
the Ernporia yards, is greatly interest |
ed in the celebration. He said last |
night:
with the force the Santa Fe has in |
Enporia, I think it's a shame not to |
have q display in the celebration pa |
rade. I would like very much to see |
Emporia represented, and if the thing |
We're once started would do all 1 could |
to help it along.
IT was in Arkansas City about three |
weeks ago and all the men there were |
Al. IL.