The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-14

and Wichita is Greater Now in All the
Any Time Since the Founding of the
City-Property All Over the City is
Worth Twice as Much as the Figure at
Which 1t is Listed.
There is no mistaking the stability
which characterizes the improving con-
ditions, nor the animation which marks
the steps Of Wichita's present life. a
conviction OF permanency is stimulating
every interest Of the city. At no time in
the history Of the town has the conf
dence Of her people been more evinced.
There is a sense of security all around.
The conviction that the foundations are
solid is not only warranted by logical de-
ductions, but obvious results and con-
spicuous manifestations abound in store
and in shop, along her avenues and in
and out everywhere. Not for ten years,
not since the boom days, in fact, at no
time since the founding Of the place have
the affairs and interests Of this city been
there rs new impulse begotien OF con-
firmed stability in all her affairs has
neither to be asserted, argued or explain
ed Il is self-evident. While there is no
semblance OF BOOM the expansion
which stimulates and animates every
thing comes Of such Warrantable
agencies and self-imposed facts as leave
no room for cavil or doubt. Business is
business, and such an increasing 5usi-
ness means development, and develop
ment means enhanced prices, and that
comprises the sum total Of the present
Improved notifications and bearings Of
all the concerns, functions and occupa-
tions OF the town, which, in spite OF
collapsed boom, was destined, from and
before its conception, to De the principal
commercial center Of great country, if
not Of the entire state. Another boom"
would be an impossibility with this peo-
pie. Their experiences with the one, and
the memory of its disasters have COM
bined TO hold back, to discourage and to
really retard the growth of the city be-
yond estimate. Everybody understands
this. But for the boom the low prices
which have ruled in the realities of Wich-
tta for the past five years could never
have been possible. Almost every fail
ure has been directly tracea Bile to the
want of confidence hinging upon the re-
verses Of the boom. The wrecks which
rame out of a eliminating craze over
natural advantages and of rapid growth
were not, for the moet part, results Of
Over-grasping upon the part Of Wichita's
business men, but the work of transient
spectators and of outside parties. 1t has
taken Wichita a long time 10 regain the
ground thus lost 1t has been by the
slower processes. Her lost confidence
has been finally restored but only by the
force of circumstances, by an expansion
Of business growing out Of the conditions
which originally so emphasized her ex-
traordinary growth. These advantages !
got away with US once. They never will |
again. Few will sell at present prices. |
None are anxious TO do so. There is not |
a piece Of property in the city that is not !
worth twice its listed or estimated price. /
That man is unfortunate who should be |
compelled to sell business block or
house a present ruling. though improv- |
ed, prices. One glance at the business
of the town, one day of its life, is proof |
enough of the truth OF this assertion. |
While such knowledge has materially |
stiffened values, 1T was other things |
which increased business. AT the bot
tom, the warrant for stiffening prices are /
not the improvements lately 50 notice /
able in every part Of the city. but a wild !
ening and increasing business, which is |
not only seen. but felt, upon all sides
and in every direction.
Viewed from any point, measured by
any standard Wichita is better off to-
day than at any time before or since the
boom. She is greater in all the essentials
Of a trade center. Nothing IS overdone.
There is no waiting surplus or problem
atical contingent. Her renewing pros
perity is within and Of her own affairs
and confines. She has nothing politically
from the state in the way OF eleemos-
ynary or educational institutions, no
railway shops or round-houses, nor any
bolstering influence on the outside. Not
one of her numerous railways has in ten
years taken any particular pains 20 fos-
ter or sustain the growing interests at
this point. but. on the contrary. more
v
in the way Of its forward march, by dis
against the tonnage of her
jo5bing and live stock and packing and
milling concerns and interests. In short,
Wichita is what she is. the greatest
purely commercial city in Kansas. in all
OF her own advantages. and in spite OF
the states bias against her and the un-
friendly altitude Of one or more Of the
tines Of transportation which serve her.
Business is business. The Importance
Of every city is measured by the aggre-
gate of It's business transactions,
whether purely commercial, or from
sources. Financially
great, means greatness in every direc-
ton. Wichita banks have double the ]
money OF a year ago. Wichita mer-
hhants and tradesmen in every line are
doing from - 70 100 per cent q greater
business than they were one and two
years ago. Wichfa's business blocks. :
buildings and resident properties repre-
sent a tangible value. the rentals
amounting % something more than I
axes. insurance and repairs. Suburban .
properties can no longer De purchase for
what the foundations ana chimneys cost
Her streets are being improved: more !
niles of permanent sidewalks have been {
aid in the past FIVE months than a any
ime in the past, and new cars have
,een ordered and are now being built FOR
he street railway lines. which will be
constructed anew entire. :
These observations and deducsions srs :
nora for the edification than for the in ,