The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-13
Ripley Talks of Plans for Kan
sas City Union Depot.
Believes That the Council and
Railways viii Get Together.
MUST GIVE AND TAKE
That Station viii Have
TO Face the South.
Gossip and Matters of Interest
in Railroad Circles.

Chicago. June 13.=sI believe the
city council of Kansas City and the
railroads interested in the new union
passenger station viii work out a
solution satisfactory to all concerned
said F. P Ripley, president of the
Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe system
in discussing the matter last night.
1.-THE railroads mean business" he
continued, "and have asked for just
what they want. At the same time all
of US realize that it is a matter of give
and take. The railroads may have to
yield some of the things they have
asked for and the city council will find
a situation which will have to be met
on the basis of the largest good for the
largest number. 1t would be impos-
sible to develop plan that would have
no opposition. There would be sure to
be some who would object to any pro-
position that might be made, but the
people in Kansas City are getting ac-
customed to looking a things along
broad lines. They have shown a com
mendable public spirit in many things
that have contributed to the upbuild-
ing of the community, which is just in
the infancy Of a marvellous develop
ment unless all signs are doomed to
fail.
This union passenger station pro
ject, big and important as 1t is. is only
the forerunner of other big things that
are to follow. said a year ago that a
union passenger station would be built
on the Belt line in Kansas City and
am still strong in the faith and am
persuaded that the plan will work out
on even a bigger and broader line than
I anticipated then.
In order to accomplish the best re-
suits, 1t is necessary to have a right of
way uninterrupted by grade crossings
and to permit great speed to and from
the new station. We want to insist
TO have the most cordial and hearty
support of verybody-upon the abso-
Lutte elimination of tgrade crossings.
There are no grade crossings in Eng
the great railroad systems of this
country are developing speedways
upon which to run their trains.
A most important feature of the
new plan is the handling of freight
traffic to and from Kansas City on
water grade lines. Freight facilities
can be developed in the North End
where the hundreds of freight cars
daily could be handled without inter
ruptiOn from street traffic, and at the
same time would be within easy access
of the great Industrial scenters of Kan
sas City
Every railroad engineer who has
studied the situation in Kansas City
says IhaI II IS lmpractlca Bile to build a
station any other way than facing
south This is an ideal arrangement in
my mind It does not mean that the
north side of the station would be a
dead wall. It does not mean that the
station would not be easy of access
from the north. 1t simply means that
the contour of the country does not
lend itself to the construction of a de-
pot facing to the north. There is an
other thing that. while it might seem
to be a small consideration, is thing
that might be considered. That is that
the prevailing winds in Kansas City
during the summer are from the south
4 station facing north would have the
tracks on the south side. The smoke
from the locomotives would then be
received into the station house wher
the south wind blows"