The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-29
Proposed to Have One in TOpek a
Annually.
Use Great Pipe Organ as Central
Object.
PLANS ARE UNDER WAY
Will Rival the Messiah Given
at Lindsborg.
Rehearsals for Queen Esther
Benefit in Progress.

Since the announcement last Satur
day of the Topeka citizens coming for
ward in such public spirited manner
to the rescue of the pipe organ for this
city by underwriting the entire debt
of $4,000 remaining unpaid to the Kim
ball Organ company, the officers and
directors of the Pipe Organ associa-
ton have been very active and now
have under way great plans for the
future. One of these plans embraces
the proposition to establish a perman-
ent annual musical festival for To-
peka on a larger and grander scale
than the festival held every year at
Lindsborg. A resident musical direc-
tor will be secured and the idea pushed
ahead to success. If the little town of
Lindsborg can draw 5000 people to
her festival every year to hear the
Messiah sung, what can Topeka do,
with her great Auditorium, pipe organ
and points of interest as capitol city
of the state? At least twice this num-
ber of people should be brought here
every year to this festival.
Under the direction of Major T. J.
Anderson, president Of the Auditorium
Pipe Organ association, the Modocs
will present that famous cantata,
Queen Esther" for the benefit of the
pipe organ fund. The plan is now to
give this musicale some time next
month. M. c. Holman, musical direc-
tor of the Modocs, has charge of the
rehearsals which have already begun.
Plans are also being discussed for a
grand vaudeville show at the auditor
iuIn during state fair week to be given
by Topeka talent for the benefit of the
pipe organ fund. Topeka has a wealth
of vaudeville talent, and Albert L. Reid
and Will F. Roehr, who are now con-
sidering the matter, believe that a
splendid entertainment can be given
and fine success scored if the anna
teurs of this city will come forwarG 1
and extend their services.
E. B. Bartlett, secretary of the Kim
bal Organ company, with headquarters
at Chicago was in the city yesterday
and called upon Elon s. Clark, secre-
tary of the Pipe Organ association,
and they canvassed thoroughly the sit
uation as regards the pipe organ and
the plan of the payment of the remain
ing debat at once. Mr.. Bartlett expressed
himself as fully satisfied with the plan
and the manner of it's fulfl1ment. The
twenty citizens who assume this $4,000
indebtedness are allowed a bonus of
81, 900 for prompt payment of the entire
debt. They underwrite the Pipe Organ
associations notes, each man aSsum-
ing an Indebtedness of $400 to be paid
at the rate OF $l0O per year Inc local
banks will advance the $4,000 at once
on these notes. This plan makes the
auditorium pipe organ Topeka proper
ty and a bonus of $1,000 is saved on the
transaction. The Pipe Organ associa-
tion believe that they will be able to
realize at least $1,000 per year from en-
tertainments for this fund and thereby
meet the payments as they fall due
thus saving these subscribers from
having to pay out cent of money. II
is also the plan of the association to
reimburse the original 35 subscribers
to the pipe organ fund.
The association is now confident ano
full Of high hopes for the future plans
of great musical festivities for Topeka
In the meantime Topeka can rest as
| sured that the $4,000 pipe organ in the
auditorium, one of the largest organs
| in the country, is now practically hel
own property, and secured at a bar
rrc,ir