The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-11
FOR GREATER TOPEKA.
Commercial Club Takes a Long
Step Ahead.
Three Progressive PrOjectsNOw
Under Consideration.
Woolen Mil Dedication, Opening of
the New Bridge and Shopping
Excursions Into the City

New and Greater Topeka" was the
watchword at the meeting of the To-
peka Commercial club last night. New
and Greater Topeka" seemed to be in
the minds of all the members present
and probably at no time in the past did
the club take up the discussion of the
Improvement and advancement of To-
peka as a business as enthusiastically
as it was taken up last night.
The ball was started rolling toward
/ TOpeka's future prosperity when the
advisa bility of having an opening" day
for the woolen mill was suggested;
few minutes later it's momentum was
greatly increased by Mr.. E. II. Crosby
proposing the running of business eX-
cursiOns into this city from points with
in a radius of 80 miles, and when short
" afterwaTd Mr.. Edward Wilder took
the floor and stated amid applause that
Topeka should by no means miss the
opportunity of advertising herself by
the dedication of the new Melan arch
bridge. it was bounding along in the di-
rection of the New and Greater To-
peka."
Although at o'clock it was announc-
ed that the light luncheon and coffee
provided for the members by the enter
tainment committee was in readiness
for serving, it was after 10 o'clock be-
fore the discussions ceased and the To-
peka Commercial club at last came
back to such immaterial things as
luncheon and coffee. The three prOpo-
sitiOns made-the opening of the WOOL
en- mill. the running of shopping eXcur-
siOns into this city. and the dedication
of the new bridge-Were each thorough
Iy canvassed and committees appointed
to see that they were carried out. When
everything possible had been done IN
the way of arrangements, the members
consented to discuss coffee, luncheon
and cigars.
ing for the wooden mill was suggested
by Mr.. E. H. Crosby, with whom the
idea is original. Some people may be
too religious to see 1t this way, SAID
he at the meeting last night, but I be-
lieve we should try to arrange an open
ing for the mill on Thanksgiving after
noon. The majority of people will have
no idea of what we have out there until
they see it"
Mr. Edward WiIder-I think it is a
good plan to have something like an
opening or dedication Let the people
go out to the mill on THANKSGIVING aft
ernOOn and then let US work up the
sentiment among the people TO stlInu-
late home industry by calling for home
products at the stores.
Mr. f. H. CrOsby-SO many enterpris-
es have been failures in this city that
the people are rather doubtful about
anything new. Now you know the 9TH
er wooden mill we were going to have
fell through, -
Mr.. J. P. Davis-Trough thin air.
What I was going to say" cOntin-
ued Mr.. Crosby when the laughter oc-
caSlOned DX MT w ll0eF 8 question ana
Mr.. Davis answer had subsided, was
that the other mill fell through because
subscriptions for stock was asked for.
Now this time we don't ask people to
make a donation or subscription. We
simply ask them to agree to take pro-
ducts of the mill after it is started.
There is no doubt in the world that the
$5 600 of orders will be secured, and I
think the mill will be in readiness by
Thanksgiving"
Mr.. Wilder-I think we should ar
n 7exvsS
advertise it all over the state as the
opening of the first wOolen mill in Kan
sas.
Mr.. Crosby-When the people can go
to the mill and see the dirty raw wool
converted into materials. they will rea-
lie just what the wOOlen mill means.
That's Just what we want them to do.
Mr. J. P. Davis-I think it would be
well to have a committee to act in con-
junction with the management of the
mill to arrange for an opening day.
Mr. Wilder think the present wool
en- mill committee is just the committee
to handle this matter, and move that it
be so referred.
ments will be made for a big opening
for the mill. If it is impossible to have
the opening on Thanksgiving afternoon
it will probably be arranged for New
Years day.
Mr.. E. H Crosby-The question of
running excursions into this city from
points within a radius of so miles Of
Topeka has never been taken up by
this club, and I think it is one which
should receive our careful considera-
ton. We can arrange to make a fare
so low that people Will come into TINS
city and let the deficit in the expense
of running the trains be made up by
subscriptions among the merchants
Mr. Greenwald-I think that this is a
matter which the club should by all
means take up. The merchants in this
city labor under a disadvantage from
the fact that we have no trains in here
in the morning. All the trains go out
Of here in the mornings and take the
people away from US. If we could get
the people in here it would be a benefit
to the merchants and the town general
Mr. Crosbv-I have talked with Cen
eraI Passenger A gent Black of the San
ia Fe about this matter and he tells
me that a reduced rate could not be
made He says that the merchants in
the smaller towns around Topeka
would make too much of kick. The
OnIv to make it is to secure the equip
nent at such price, and let the deficit
of expense be made up by subscrip-
tions.
Mr.. Keizer-The matter of running
excursions is carried out in st. Joe.
see no reason why it could not be car
Mr.. MacLennan-I am personally
aware that excursions are run into St.
Joe from outlyin points They are
taken over one branch of railroad at
Mr.. Wilder-I think this is a matter
which we should take action on, and
move that it be taken up by commit
tee.
Mr.. Godard-I think the committee
should be composed of business men.
because they are the men who would
be vitally interested.
Mr. J. P. DavisI remember the
manner in which the excursions into
St Joe were conducted several years
ago. Those in charge of the excur-
sions agreed to pay so much for the
equipment. and then went to the diff
ferent stations along the line of road
selected and made the rates so low as
to tempt the people to go. I think this