The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-13
Missouri Pacific May Be Extend
ed to Omaha.
READY TO TAKE ACTION
Commercial Club Discusses the
Question.
Many Things Of Interest Are
Considered.


suggestion that the Commercial club en-
ter into correspondence with the Mis-
souri, Pacific railroad officials and urge
the extension of their line from Fort
Scott to Topeka. on to Omaha
Mr.. Bolmar assured the members of
the club that the Missouri Pacific Off
Gals had the plans for this move I'M
der serious consideration and advised
that the club through its secretary
write to c. G. Warner, vice president, at
St. Louis
with the building of such line the
passenger service would be much i'm
proved.
A movement was on foot over a year
ago to induce the Missouri Pacific to
inaugurate a better train service, but
nothing was accomplished for the rea-
son that the officials of the road felt
that the traffic would not Justify the in
creased expenditure in maintaining the
passenger trains. Since that time bust
ness has picked up to g. great extent
and the officials of the road are of the
opinion that there is a great field for
development with q line south from
Omaha.
This line would tap a good country
and would be the means of bringing
much trade to Topeka" said 5. FL.
Downs.
Mr. BoImar said that when the Mis-
souri, Pacific built into Topeka the coun-
ty voted $125, 900 to the road; $4,000 was
reaching Topeka and the remaining $780,
900 when the line reached the north
boundary of the county.
The $4,000 was forfeited by the road
when it refused to build farther north
than Topeka
The matter was referred to the com
mittee on transportation with instruc-
tons to secure the cooperation Of the
various other cities interested in the
building of the proposed line north to
Omaha.
CENSUS COMMITTEE REPORT.
S. H Downs chairman of the census
revision committee, reported that no
real progress had been made in the at
fair; that in the opinion of the commit
tee it would be useless to send the
names of those who were omitted from
the canvass. He suggested that Topeka
set about and take her own census
City Attorney w. a s. Bird, who was
present, said: What good will 1t do
for Topeka to take the census her
own responsibility. The official census
shows what we have to the eyes Of the
world.
IF we want satisfaction we must act
now. The supervisor of the work in
this city and his assistants were sup
posed to have been able to perform their
duty and If they have not done so now
is the only time to rectify the mistake.
The committee is in possession of
many names of those who were not Wis
tied by an enumeratOr, but several hum
dred should be secured to make a good
showing.
Two families which include ten per-
sons who live on the second floor at 81
the census enumerator, they say, and
many similar cases have been brought
to the notice of this committee
The committee was continued
TRANSPORTATION COAGNEITTEE
REPORTS.
The transportation committee set
forth it's findings in the following re-
port:
whom was referred the question of rail-
road legislation by the incoming legis-
lature. respectfully submit the follow
ing:
exercising state supervision Of railroad
traffic Both branches of the legislature
are Republican, in politics, and 1t is
therefore reasonable to presume that the
platform of the Republican party, re-
garding railroad legislation. will be fol-
lowed. The resolution of the railroad
question adopted by the state conven-
ton of that party is as follows:
% The Repu blican party pledges it
self to the work of securing to the people
such legislation founded in common JUS
tice and business sense, as will provide
adequate protection against the greed of
the corporations without Gripping them
with unjust exactions. We favor the re-
establishment of the board Of railroad
commissioners with such additional
powers as shall render their work effec-
tive and with power to fix and enforce
just rates and recommend the election
of the members OF this board by the
1--WE believe that If the above recon-
mendationsin the platform of the domin-
ant party in the next legislature are car
ried out that good results will follow.
We recognize that very much depends
upon the personnel of the railroad COM
nissioners selected to enforce any law
enacted by the legislature and to this
end we think that one member OF the
Cd 4
be appointed upon the recommendation
of the commercial clubs and other bus
mess mems organizations of the state,
and that all the members of the board
should be appointed subject to confirma-
ton by the state senate, and that the
members of the board should be selected
SO as to give the eastern, central and
western portions OF the state, each a
member.
I'VE think the law should be plain in
its language, devoid of unmeaning
phrazes and ambiguous provisions. That
the board should have absolute power
to correct Determinations and also pow
er to fix and enforce just rates subject
to revision by the courts.
We believe that If a law is enacted
along these lines and the first board ap-
pointed, is composed of men of unoues-
toned character, ability and fitness for
the position. that much good win result
and the question Of railroad legislation,
which has for many years been the foot
bali OF the politicians, viii be practical
~ dlAA SeilS4Dly SSltl6Q ana TnaL the best
men IN the state will be elected two
years hence
We recommend that the secretary be
instructed to furnish thelegisIatfye COM
nittee OF the commercial clubs of KAN
sas' with copy of this report for their
consideration Respectfully submitted,
Wv. H. DAVIS, Chairman.
u. G. BAUER
GEORGE " HOSSFELD.
20. "A. HOLCOMB
WILLIAM SCHICK
CHARLES WOLFF
Il. n CROSBY"
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