The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-08
WILL Give $1,000
Mayor Parker Starts Movement
to Get Horton Shops.
PROPOSES to Head the COntribu-
tions Himself.
WOULD MEAN MUCH.
New Shops Would Double POpu-
lation of Topeka.
Commercial Club Takes the
Preliminary Steps.
Company Already Has Site For
the Shops.

Mayor Parker says he will give $1,000
toward a fund to be offered to the Rock
Island railway to move its shops to To-
peka.
Il not only believe that Topeka could
afford to vote bonds literally as a bo-
nus" said Mayor Parker this morning,
but L believe that the citizens could
well afford to contribute cash. 1 would
give $1,000 myself toward such a fund.
If we could get the Rock Island to move
its shops here,it would double the popu-
lation of Topeka within a short time. 1
would give 81, 900 because 1 believe that
in doing so 1 would make money on the
investment eventually
How much of a bonus would be an
inducement to the Rock Island to con-
slider the plan of moving its shops?'' was
asked.
'' haven't any idea" replied the
mayor.
However, Mayor Parker is not very
sanguine as to the prospects of secur-
ing a removal of the shops to Topeka.
Il have talked to NJ A. Low about
this matter several times, not very re-
Gently, however, says Mr.. Parker. He
told me that he did not consider it likely
that the shops would be moved from
Horton. OF course if the shops are
moved from Horton, there will be moth
ing left of that town but few stores
and dwellings 1t would be hard btoW
to Horton. 1 do not think 1t likely that
the fire in the shops there has been ex-
tensiVe enough to warrant the road IN
making a change in the location OF It's
main machine Shops
The Rock Island is said to have about
81 400 600 invested in its shops and ma
chinery at Horton. The fire last night
caused loss of probably $25O,OOO. II
the city of Topeka could contribute
enough money to build new buildings
throughout, it might be that the Rock
Island officials would have to think hard
before refusing such a chance to get It's
shops on the main line where tney pro-
perly belong. To replace the buildings
at Horton would probably cost $500, O0O
The Rock Island has made no secret
of it's desire to move its SHOPS TO 10
peka and has freely admitted that 1t
made a mistake when it located its
shops at Horton. AT the time thaC
town was selected for the shops of the
road, it was supposed that Horton
would be on the main line between mere
and Chicago. AS it is, Horton is side
tracked and all the important business
of the road is obliged to go out OF Inc
way to reach it.
A large tract of land splendidly To-
Gated for shop purposes has been pur-
chased by the Rock Island near its
bridge across the Kansas river IhlS
tract is so situated that it could be
largely augmented in area at compare
lively small expense. The Rock Island
would have a shop district which would
be as good or better than the one which
has been built up Dy the SANTA e
1t was supposed at the time the Rock
Island bought the land near it's bridge
that it had in view the erection OF Z
shop district, and the removal OF It's
shops from Horton. Officials of the road
have stated that the time would GER
tainly come when the Horton shops
would be removed to Topeka, and the
question is whether or not the officials
will think that the time is ripe for the
change.
COMMERCIAL CLUB READY.
Major Il. j. Anderson, secretary of
the Topeka Commercial club, this morn
ing called a meeting of the directors
and members of the club for this after
noon to consider the advisability of Sc
curing the removal of the Rock Island
shops from Horton to Topeka
Il have placed myself into commun1-
cation with officials of the road, said
Major Anderson, relative to the est1-
mated damages to the shops there and
the feasibility of attempting to induce
the management of the road to remove
the shops to Topeka.
while I understand the damages
have not been extensive, it may be that
the Rock Island can be induced at this
time to consider making the change.
Now is the time for us to act. 1t is
a known fact that the Rock Island Rail-
way company owns enough suitable
land in Topeka to met the requirements
of the shop improvements that might
be made here. 1t has also been tclked
more or less that the Rock Island in
tends eventually to build here.
I'VE have just secured the additional
Santa Fe shops here by voting bonds.
The amount required was only about
$50, ,O00 In my opinion we may well af-
ford to vote several hundred thousand
dollars in bonds to secure the Rock Is
land shops that would result in bring
ing nearly 1000 more workmen to the
city"
OFFICIALS WON'T TALK.
Rock Island officials at the general
offices of the road here have nothing to
say in regard to the question as to
whether there is any probability in re-
moving the remaining shops at Horton
to Topeka.
NJ A Low, general attorney for the
Rock Island, is out of the city. He has
been in Washington and New York dur
ing the past three weeks. w. F. Evans,
assistant general attorney in the local
offices was seen by a reporter for the
State Journal today Il have no in
formation on the subject he said.
c. H. Hubbell, superintendent of the
lines west of the river, s out of the
city and W. o. Nevill, his chief clerk
had nothing to say in regard to the sub
ject.