The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-10
SOMETHING TOPEKA WANTS
Commercial Club viii Endeavor to
Secure a Compressed Air Tool
Factory.

Factory.
The Santa Fe Railway company is
about to lose two of it's most efficient
men at the general shops in this city,
and Topeka two of its most energetic
citizens with plenty of ability and in
Ventive genius.
They are Mr.. Geo. W. Smith, master
mechanic of the eastern division, ana
MI Archie NJ. Baird, foreman of the
boiler department. They have received
offers from st. Louis capitalists to go to
that city and enter into the manufac-
ture of the compressed air tools of
which they are inventors, and it is pro-
bable that the offer will be accepted
unless something is done to induce them
to remain here.
The Topeka Commercial club pro-
poses to try to arrange suitable induce
ments for Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Baird to
remain in Topeka.
The matter was brought up at the
regular meeting of the club last night
and President Green stated that it was
his understanding that Messrs. Smith
and Baird would have something to say
about the location of the mandatory.
He thought that if the matter was ia
ken up by the Commercial club, it might
be possible to secure the establishment
of the enterprise in Topeka instead of
ST Louis.
He said that both men were property
owners in this city, and he believed
they would much prefer to remain here
Accordingly, on motion, President
Green and Mr.. Otto Kuehne were
named as a committee to consult with
Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Baird, and if posi-
bic open negotiations for the esta blish-
ment of the proposed works in this city.
If necessary a special meeting of the
club will be called to take action on
the matter after the consultation.
Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Baird have patents
on a great number of tools worked by
compressed air and used in railroad
work. They are responsible for the
perfecting of the compressed air plant
at the Santa F'e shops in this city and
the saving of time and labor as a result
of the use of the compressed air with
the proper tools.
For some time they have been man
ufacturing their invention on a small
scale, the most of the work being done
at the COfran foundry in this city, but
it is now proposed to go into the manu-
featuring business on a big scale. The
St. Louis parties are to furnish the cap
ita1 for the manufacture of the tools,
and Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Baird would
give their entire time to experimenting
the work and perfecting otner machin-
cry.
The securing of such an establish
ment would mean much to Topeka. 1t
is something that in time would un-
doubtedly grow to be one of the most
important western enterprises.
The Commercial club has now a mem
bership of 80. Six new members, firms
and individuals were elected at the
meeting last night As soon as the
monthly dues and probably the 1n1ua-
ton fee will be reduced.
The new members elected last night
are the following:
Oscar Bischoff, real estate dealer;
Scott & Scott, restaurant prOprietors;
Sullivan & DeIehOyle, art dealers; w.
S. Stephenson, real estate; D. O. Crane,
manager Topeka cemetery, ana Geo.
Burghart, cigar manufacturer.
The matter of the Commercial club
purchasing the supplies left on the
e he =rar that
the deficit in the accounts OF the com ]
mittee might be paid, was brought up |
at the meeting last night by Mr.. Chas.
P. Adams. He read a report OF the sup |
plies on hand, which included two floats |
bunting, draperies, costumes, etc, and |
which invoiced at about $3.50 The de- |
amounted to $3.50, and this was the |
amount that it was proposed the club |
should buy the supplies in at. MI
Adams suggested that this would be
move in sustaining the credit of Topeka
publicly, if the club could see its way |
to purchase the supplies for the pur- |
pose of creating a fund for the Hquida- |
ton of all debts against the connlttee.
It was decided, however, after a short |
discussion, that the club could do moth |
ing in the matter, and on motion of Mr..
he Steinberg the secretary was in
structed to inform Mrs. {. ). sutton TO /
this effect.
Mr.. John F. McManus reported to the |
club last night that the remaining So |
600 worth of orders for Topeka wooden |
mill material had been secured, and |
that the pledge made by the club to the |
mill management had been carried out. |
In response to a communication from /
A J. Wedderburn, secretary of the Ma
tiOnaI Pure Food and Drug congress, to |
be held in Washington, D. c., on March |
2 Mr. Otto Kuehne was elected dele |
gate and Mr.. Thpphas Ryan alternate. |
It was decided at the meeting last |
night to revise the bylaws of the club, |
and President Green, Mr.. George w. |
Crane and Mr.. H NJ. Phillips We're ap- /
pointed as a committee to do the work. [
The paper by Mr.. P. I. BOnebrake on /
Taxation was not read at the meet /
ing last night. An open meeting of the (
club will be held in the near future and /
Mr. Bonebrake's paper will then be /
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