The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-14

anything further will be done to induce
Mr. Ross to remain in Topeka and that
being the case it looks as though the
city is to lose the plant. 1t is certain
that if something is not done and that
at once that the move will be made as
Mr.. Ross is not a man who would make
a bluff of this kind for the purpose OF
receiving especial favor.
In fact he has said that he does not
know that there Is anything that the
Commercial club could do which would
justify him in remaining in Topeka and
paying the freight rates that are exact
ed at this time. When the Commercial
club was reorganized the first of the
year by the election Of a new president,
secretary and board of directors great
things were predicted.
Among other things which were to
have been done was the selection of a
secretary who would be familisr with
the rate situation. An experienced rate
clerk as President Jensen designated
his idea in the matter. Mr.. Poole, the
present incumbent. was selected tenn
porarily to fill the place until such
man could be found but to date 1t
would seem that no great effort has
been made to secure the services Of an
efficient rate clerk as secretary.
The matter has been permitted to
drift along until now it seems certain
important manufacturing institutions
And that in the face Of the fact that
this concern has doubled it's business
every year of it's existence in Topeka
and the freight rate proposition is at
the bottom of 1t all.
Il do not know what is being done
about the NATTER said C. K. Holiday.
the former president of the Commercial
club, but 1T seems to me that 1t is a
matter which requires immediate ac-
ton. 1 was in Kansas City when 1
learned from Mr.. Ross that he was
contemplating moving his plant to that
city and I Immediately wired Mr.. Jen-
| sen to that effect.
IT am informed that a few of the
members of the Commercial club dis
| cussed the matter Sunday with Mr..
| Ross but aside from that meeting
| do not know that an effort has been
made to keep the factory in Topeka.
| 1t seems to me that inducements
| could be made so that Mr.. Ross could
see his way clear to remain in To-
peka. For instance a store room
might be rented for the company in
| Kansas City where they could keep
their surplus stock for shipment and
where buyers could see the machines
which the Auto-Fedan company is
manufacturing.
THAT would help some or a free
| site Tor their factory for period Of
say five years might be offered them
| At any rate we ought to do something
| and that at this very minute, for if
| we do not we will lose one of the
most important manufacturing in
situations in the city. We have not
lost factory since the flood days and
on the contrary have added a mum
Der to those which already existed in
this city and this one should be KEEP,
here at all hazards.
Perhaps something could be done
within the next few months so thai
the freight rate objection would bt
removed, for as I understand the mat
ter. Topeka offers advantages which
Kansas City does not possess wher,
the shipments are made within Kan
sas. We should not permit a breal
in the record which we have made II
the last few years, but it will reouir,
immediate action to do So"
A NJ. Mills another member Of tn,
executive committee said: ct am no
In touch with the situation but
seems to me that something shoul,
be done at once to keep this comnan-
with US. We can not afford to los
them and a called meeting of ~
Commercial club might do somethin
towards forestaIling the move at thi
] dma~ g. eni