The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-12
TO SEE SHOE DEALERS
In Regard to Taking Stock in
Proposed Shoe Factory.
Question Discussed by the Com
merciaI Club.
The Independence Wooden Mill of In
dependence, Mo-, Which Has Been
Prosperous and Paying Bus
mess, Also Makes a
Proposition.

The sentiment of the members of the
Topeka Commercial club is against the
idea of giving bonuses or subscribing
for stock to new enterprises which
would come to Topeka were proper en-
coura cement extended to them. The
members of the club so expressed them
selves at the meeting last night.
The ideas entertained by the mem
bers of the club were developed through
a communication from McAfee Bros
proprietors of the wooden mills Whlcn
were recently burned at Independence,
Mr..
These men have $1O,OOO.'' said Presi-
dent w H. Davis, land they inquire
that SIC, 900 additional will be required
to move the plant and put 1T in shape
to do business in Topeka They are
willing to put all the money they nave
into the enterprise, but their coming
here is conditional upon our giving them
a bonus or subscribing for stock to the
amount of $50, 00O.''
Mr. Howe-I am always in favor OF
aiding these new enterprises. but 1
don't believe that there is any use in
talking of bonuses. .~'-
A. w. Dana-It is absolutely useless
to talk about giving bonus in Topeka
al this time.
H. w. Neiswanger-How many peo-
pie will the wooden mill bring to To-
peka?
Mr.. Davis-About 125.
Mr.. Neiswanger-If this club wants
to vote bonus to anyone, why not ac-
C9pC lne proposition OIL join H. SAOSOy
of Massachusetts,, who owns shoe fac
tory and wants to move west. He VIII
move it free of charge to US provided
we will take $15,0 600 in stock. He prom
ises to turn back half of the amount
before any dividends are declared. one
shoe factory means others, and think
it will be better venture than that OF
the wooden mill.
Mr. Dana-Who will take the stock?
Mr.. Neiswanger-Three Topeka shoe
men have agreed to take $500 each.
NrTi11 RI
any good to talk about selling that
amount of stock in Topeka.
President Davis-The best way that I
can see is to find someone who under
stands that business and who has
money to invest and induce him to take
hold of the shoe factory scheme.
Mr.. Neiswanger-If this club proposes
to vote no bonuses and to subscribe for
no stock in new enterprises, what's the
use of soliciting them to come to To-
peka? Other towns make success OF
such matters, but if we don't want to
do any thing towards aiding them we
might as well stop looking for probable
investors and manufacturers.
ChaS. S. Elliott-My idea would be
that if Topeka's experience would be
like that of good many towns of
which 1 have knowledge, we don't want
to take stock or vote money to many OF
these new plans or schemes.
Mr.. Howe-Thats right, too. Wichita
voted two or three million dollars in
bonuses, and what happened to the
prises did they secure.
Mr.. Dana-I want to tell you that the
people of Topeka are mighty sore on
this idea of voting bonuses or subscrib-
ing stock. They have been dragged
into courts under the double liability
law and are still fighting suits which
have been running for years. am not
talking against new enterprises for To-
peka, and want to see something done,
but I am particular as to the manner
in which we proceed. We cannot ask
take stock give a boz
nus. They will not do it.
Mr.. Neiswanger-I have asked Mr..
Crosby if he would not prefer a bonus
to a stock subscription, but have not
heard from him.
Mr.. Dana-How many shoe dealers
are there in Topeka?
Mr.. Neiswanger-Fifty, presume, at
least.
Mr.. Dana-wil1 twenty of them sub
scribe for stock?
Mr. Neiswanger-I think so and more,
too.
President Davis-Mr. Neiswanger, I
will delegate you to take charge of this
matter and authorize you to call two
other members of the club to your as
sistance, and we will see what may be
done.
Mr.. Neiswanger explained that two
weeks would elapSe before he could
give close attention to the subject and
he was instructed to proceed just as
soon as convenient.
The club also gave attention to the
proposition of J. A. Anderson of Otta-
wa to locate in Topeka for the manu-
facture of a ose-coupler A letter to
F. P. Edison, chairman of the special
committee appointed to take charge of
that matter was read. Mr.. Anderson
explained that he had not yet heard
from o. A. Holcomb of this city who
agreed to furnish prices for the manu-
facture of the coupler. Mr.. Holcomb
says the work can be done here, for the
same price that Mr.. Anderson is paying
in Kansas City. 1t was also reported
that Mr.. Anderson would come to To-
peka for a bonus of $1,000.
Mr.. Neiswanger who formerly lived
at ottawa testified as to Mr.. Anderson's
good character and expressed the opin-
ion that if bonus were voted to An
derson he would repay it within
short time.
Mr.. Edson-Mr. Anderson seems to be
a very straightforward, honest man
and worthy of every confidence.
Mr.. NeiSwanger-That is true in eve
ry particular.
Mr.. Howe suggested that it would be
impracticable to give a bonus or take
stock but advanced the idea that a loan
might be negotiated for Mr.. Anderson.
Mr.. PoindeXter-I think that a good
idea. Mr.. Anderson could offer his pat
ents as security.
Mr.. Edson-The only obstacle that
Mr.. Holcomb has discovered is the fact
that Anderson does not want to make
a contract for any definite period. Mr..
Holcomb does not care to provide him