The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-10
ON THE LAST LAP.
Necessary TO subscribe $4,000 More to
Secure Wooden Mill.


Mr.. D. c. Collier, of Kansas City,
is in Topeka today to try and perfect
arrangements for the reopening of
the wooden mill in Oakland, which
has not been in operation for the past
year.
There has been some dissatisfaction
on the part of some of the stockhold-
ers in the institution for some time
past which has been the reason for
the closing of the mill, which did
proitab bic business while it was oper-
ated- one of the stockholders who
wishes TO withdraw from the business
is E. E. Holmes. who as vice presi-
dent of the United States Security
company. holds $4,000 worth of the
capital stock of 100000. A majority
of the remainder of the stock is owned
by J. H. McAfee of this city, Oscar
Neil and J. H. Vroon1an, a capitalist
of Kansas City
Mr.. Collier. who is in the city to-
day, is also Interested and is looking
after the financial interests of H. J.
VrOoman. who offers to purchase the
100000 worth of stock held by the
Holmes interests, providing that the
citizens of Topeka will show their
faith in the project by subscribing for
$4,000 worth OF per cent. preferred
stock.
The $4,000 which Mr.. vroonan is
asking shall be subscribed and taken
as preferred stock represents but one
third of the expenditures which it is
proposed to make on the mill before it
is opened for business. The inten-
tOns are, if this amount is subscribed,
to increase the capacity of the mill
One-third by installing another set of
machinery, making three instead of
two, which will increase the oper-
ating expenses but little and at the
same time will make a increase Of
one-third in the output of the mill.
The project has the endorsement of
J the Commercial club which is leading
its influence Already 81, 700 of the So
600 which is wanted has been subscrib-
ed and there remains but 2,300 worth
of stock to be disposed of. Mr.. Collier
is anxious to dispose of the remainder
of the 81 800 worth of stock which re-
mains on the market so that the deal
for the property may be closed this
week
This property was one of the first
large mills of its kind to be erected
in the state and while it has been clos
ed portion of the time has been a
paying investment at that, for those
who have held stock. It has been the
one big Institution in Oakland and
when operated to its capacity gives en-
ployment to not less than $50 people.
There has been much talk from time
to time of moving the institution to
Kansas City but as much of the stock
is held by Topeka people it is not like
ly that this move will ever be made.
S1oO each and It seems to me that we
should have no trouble in disposing of
the remainder Of the stock at once, :"
said Mr.. Collier this morning eff the
people really wish the mill to remain
in the city and be operated. We feel
that If this amount is subscribed by
Topeka people taken in connection with
the stock now held in the city that it
will Iocalize the institution as well as
show that the people of the city are
Interested in the mill. It is great
boom for the Oakland people in partic-
ular as it gives employment to large
number of people and it is but natural
that they should be drawn from the
territory adjacent to the mill.
..There is no reason why the mill
should not be money making ven
ture as it is past the experimental
stage and the customers know the
class of goods that can be manufa ctur-
ed. If the stock can be disposed of
this week we would like to close the
deal by Saturday, and if this is done
the mill will be opened for business
and running full capacity by the first
5ov IF Nav