The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-29
MUST HAVE A FAIR
Business Men Move on the
County Board.
Request Small Levy for Pur-
poses of a Fair.
DODGE THE QUESTION.
No Final Action Is Taken al
Meeting.
Commissioner Sterne Talks
Discouragingly Of Proposition.

The absence of Commissioner Harri-
son was made a pretext this morning
for the postponement of the considera-
ton of the two mill levy by the board
of county commissioners as authorized
by an enabling act passed by the leg
islature last winter. A committee of
twenty members from the Commercial
club were present to urge the board to
make the levy but Commissioners
Sterne and Simms refused to take ac-
ton during the absence of Commission
er Harrison who is i'll at his home
They also stated that they would re-
fuse to consider the proposition until
such a time as they could get an ex-
preston from the representative tax
payers OF the county as to the advise
ability of such action. E. H CROSBY
started the discussion by stating the
object of the visit of the committee on
the board. He said:
I'VE are appearing as a representative
body from the Commercial club of the
city to ask that the board of commits
sioners of Shawnee county make a spec
ial levy of two mills as authorized by an
act of the legislature for the purpose or
erecting permanent buildings at the fair
ground. We feel that If Shawnee coun-
ty demonstrates by its action that 1t is
in earnest about a state fair by the ex-
penditure of the money so raised that
in two years hence there will be no
trouble in getting an appropriation from
the state.
That the state fair will be good
thing for every tax payer in the coun-
ty is not disputed and cannot be sue
cessfully We have talked with mem
bers of the city council and have been
assured that they stand ready to make
a likes levy as soon as the county mas Ia
ken action in the matter Other states
which have fairs encouraged by the
state find that they have become neces-
stiles and the same thing Will probably
prove true in this state.
For eight years we have talked and
dreamed of a state fair and nave oohe
but little else and the time is now ripe
for action and it is now or never. w
want a state fair and must have II;
and by way of an inducement TO the
state we have approximately $2OO,OOO
worth of property to offer, and the best
location and grounds in the state for
the purpose.
Must Have a Fair
H. A. Heath said: The live stock
breeders of the state want state fair |
and will not be contented until they |
get it; and if Topeka will not make the |
effort necessary to secure 1t they Will
throw their support in some other di-
rection; but they believe that it should |
be located in this city. There is no
doubt about the ultimate success OF |
the proposition If we can get the state |
buildings on the ground which are |
necessary. If Shawnee county will in |
vest 100000 in permanent improve
ments and the state that much more, |
that will go a long ways towards pro-
viding all the buildings necessary"
Major Anderson said: "Our efforts
to secure an appropriation at the last
session of the legislature demonstrated
the fact that the people of the state
are in favor of a fair, and that they
want it located in Topeka. The bill
could have been passed and the ap-
made if we had exerted
half the energy displayed by the repre-
from other cities earlier in
he session, but we were too slow in
getting to work.
Now that opportunity is past, feel
t behooves us to be doing something
md that at once. If the board of
ime of one mill the Commercial club
think. will pledge itself to raise
1000 for a fair to be held this fall, !
md the city council will make a levy
If a like amount to be applied on i'm
on the grounds now owned
,y the county
Topeka is in better shape today
han ever before to take action on the
,enditure of a small amount OF money
We could at any rate have a. park
vhere people could go and enjoy them
elves and at their very doors. Two
|
hing to show the legislators and an
Dpropria ton would be assured
Representative Bird said: ''The legis-
ature came mighty near giving us
What we asked for at the last session
nd if we had been a little better or
anized I am sure that the approDria-
ion could have been landed 1t is a
hame and disgrace that city the
ize of Topeka has no public parks
xcepting few small ones. and I think
hat the board should make the two
lills levy provided for and do so at
nee so that we can get down to work
Not only does Topeka want state
air but the entire state is clamoring !
or it, and there will be no trouble in .
aid from the state if an or :
anized effort is made. This demand !
gricultural interests as we'll as tn,
took breeders. A state fair would .
ring more money to Topeka every d,
ear than we are asking the board TO !
aise for two years. !
w. l. Miller said: "A state fair would
OF only bring a crowd to the city for &
ne week as has been suggested. bat +
lere would be numerous sales held if :
suitable place were provided Religf- :
US gatherings would hold their meet =
lgs here If suitable ground could be :
rovided for them. and there would be +
leetings of some kind held nearly ev- q
~ month of the year g
Sterne Is in Doubt
1.-The question as it appears to me -
lis" said Commissioner William
terne. will not the increase in taxes 7
sep away investors. When a capital c
t seeking investment comes TO To- b
eka he will not ask DO you have a II
ate fair but he will ask the first
ling about the rate of taxation / un- Il
srstand that one of the member of +
1ur committee has already invested a | d
rye sum of money in Kansas City Il
wing as his excuse that taxes are low F