The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-17

could sing acceptably, who were ex-
perts at comic recitation, and clog
dances and specialties of all kinds. The
expenses of these entertainments We're
cheerfully assumed by the management.
The average cost of these gatherings
has been $2100. The self
incident to such meetings, calling out
humble employees to participate in the
programme, and arrange the exercises,
has been very marked and pleasing all
around.
superintendent trainmasters, mas
ter-mechanics and other officials very
frequently attended these gatherings
and mingled among the men.
At one entertainment a master-me-
chanic sang a solo and was encored
to the echo. The sentiment produced
by the Boss singing to his men, was
very sweet and beautiful and brought
them all very close together.
In all these gatherings, there was no
use of the religious spirit, technically
so-called. Any Mohammedan, Jew, or
Roman Catholic could freely particle
pate and enjoy himself. Religion in its
broad sense, as Welding hearts togethter.
and moving the conscience and BREATH
ing good will, was there to be sure,
but it was only that kind that has to
do with making this world better, and
developing a rich, large manhood, and
not the kind, SO common in this age
that ministers to the adumbration of
the intellect and minimizes the heart
and the hope. The motto of the gather
ings was crystalized in three short
phrases which opened the entertain
ment: zone world at a time;' do right
because it is right, and not for a re-
ward" Work to finish your job, and
contribute something to the race, not
simply to get wages" The writer
s9f n
perienees of the past year, indicating
that this work, absolutely non-religi0us.
absolutely conducted as business pro-
position, without regard as to whether
God, or no God, without Bible and
tracts and prayer services, is wonder
fully rich in the best results. This work
however, is only supplemental and oc-
casionally resorted to, as the opportun-
ity offers. Let me therefore definitely
analyze our organization and method.
We have these reading rooms at
| Dodge City, Kan, La Junta, Col, Ra-
ton, n. NJ; San Marcial, N M; Pur-
cell, l. T.; Woodward; Ok: Newton
Kan; Albuquerque, n. M; WinsloW,
AriZ.; Seligman, Ariz., and Needles,
Cal We have in prospect many other
points. Let US take our latest room at
Seligman, Arizona. as sample. The
others are nearly the same, and all I'M
/ der THE Santa Fe Method
The room at Seligman was formally
/ opened November 30 1899. It's contract
price was $1,000. 1t contains two large
rooms, 50x50 feet, one central room 30x
! 80 feet, four bath rooms with the best
/ porcelain tubs, and two toilet rooms.
with all modern conveniences, and a
| large wash room with marble bowls, and
/ a large boiler furnishing hot water for
! the bath and toilet. In the one large
room, we have the best billiard table
to be bought and other facilities of
! amusement. The table is in use from
/ a. m. tills10 p m We charge ten cents
T an hour for the use of it. This goes in
to a fund for the repair of the table.
In the other large room, we have two
ten foot long and four foot wide read
1 ing tables, on which are placed daily
/ the leading monthlies, weeklies, ana
dailies of the country. In. this room
/ there is also a. large book case in which
are kept the best and latest books pub
! Hshed. These books are numbered, cat
alogued and placed in circulation. Any
employee or member of his family may
draw a book and take it anywhere. He