The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-10
WILL TAKE A REST
Mr.. Myers Will at Least Get a
Change.

L. E. Myers, manager of the Topeka
railway, will leave for Chicago this
evening, to be gone until after the
holidays and will probably not be in
Topeka as much in the future as he
has been in the past. He said today:
Il am going back to Chicago to at
tend to the business of the L. E. Myers
Construction company, which has been
allowed to run along without my per-
sonal attention while 1 was so busily
engaged in Topeka. I have about
$25, 600 worth of construction equipment
tied up in that company, and. can't
AFFORD to- let it lie idle. 1 must get out
and get something for it to do. have
two locomotives. a large lot of dump
cars, a team shovel and a great deal
of other stuff which I must put to
work.
It did n OF expect to make Topeka,
my permanent headquarters, and my
house was leased only for the months
of September, October and November.
We thought when We bought the city
railway that we could start the work
and then simply supervise the recon-
struction. but when we got into it We
found things IN such terrible condition
that it took a, good deal of my time
on the ground 1 expect to return to
Topeka early in January. but 1 can't
say exactly what my future plans will
b~-
Il was misunderstood yesterday
when stated that I was going to Chi
cage to get more money. meant more
money for L E Myers. not more
money to SPEND in rebuilding the To-
peka railway. We have all the money
we need for that purpose. will de-
vote my attention to the interests of
the L E Myers company.
In regard to this WaShburn college
line. sill say that we expect to give
the college the best treatment possible
We have already given the college
Is minute service instead of 20 minute
oarfn iv71x ~ ri
of the college"
Does your departure from Topeka
indicate that you have disposed of your
interest in the city railway %
No, it does not. When we went into
this railway deal, we we'll knew that it
7vas a waiting game. We had no ex-
2 'ectation of selling out. We haven't
a nything to sell. Do you think that
anyone would want to pay for a road
ju st when we have put all this new
m oney into it, and it is hardly paying
OF Grating expenses, to say nothing of
interest on the investment or net in
ca me? We don't expect to make any
thi ng out of this for five years. It is
moi one of those quick turn DEALS
woi k this winter?''
mo. the work for the winter is prac-
tica lily suspended, except on the office
buik ding, which win be pushed ahead
as apidly as possible. We must have
a pL ice for our trainmen. The upper
floor of the building will be an assem-
bly, and loungfng room for the men
with baths, lockers, pool tables and
gynn; asium. But the work of rebuild
ing the line is practically at an end. 1t
will no take very long to finish up the
work n, ext spring. We tried to rebuild
the West Eighth street line, and had
a big ga ng ready to go in and rip up
the whole thing, but we found that the
pavement was frozen, and that we
couldn't do anything"
Mr.. Myers did not get away for Chi
cago Wednesday, as announced, but
will leave this afternoon.
Mr.. Myers and his associates have
really done a wonderful work in re-
habilitating the old Topeka City rail-
way, and have pushed the reeOnSt true
ton up to the weather limit. The new
track, the new cars, the quicker SER
vice. the many changes already made
to give US q street railway system that
shall be in line with the capital city of
Kansas, all show that an enterprising
management is in charge. The people
of Topeka are certainly grateful for
what is being done. Next year we are
sure to have a. completed road to which
we can point with pride. The company
has poured in money and 1t is en-
titled to and will win good patronage
Mr. Myers has been obliged to bear the
brunt of the dep1Orable condition in
which he found the system He is to
he CONGRATULATED on the results already
secured and may spend his holidays
away in the satisfaction that he and his
fellows have done we'll He has shown
himself reasonable and accommodate
ing and so far as business would wezr-
rant, has deferred to the wishes of the
public. He has shown tact and dis
position in the face of obstacles, that
are coInrnendable. We need more such
citizens and if he makes his permanent
horne in Topeka, the city will have ac-
quired a valuable citizen, as we'll as
big part of his money, which it is hoped
will bring an adequate return for his
investment and confidence
Mr.. Myers is making the Topeka
Street Railway a popular institution.
How it did need this element! Popu-
larity is something that was as foreign
to the old concern as was a decent
track or respectable cars. Popularity
will breed fares and more nickels as
fast as Topeka is given the service it
confidently expects and is promised.