The Topeka state journal., 1908-06-27
SHORT OF SIGHT.
Edison Company Refuses to
Light Garfield Park.
Except on Conditions That Are
Impossible.
MR.. ALIENS DILEMMA
Manager Forced to Use of GasO-
line Lights.
Shameful Treatment of North
Topeka at Time of Need.
MIR. ALIENS DILEMMA.

rent for illuminating Garfield park the
Edison company seems to hope to
strangle the plans for making that
free public park a pleasure resort and
divert all of the trade to Vinewood
which Is controlled by the interests
which control the Edison company and
the Topeka Street Railway company.
Last year during the short Chautau-
qua season at Garfield OF two weeks
the street car company installed arc
nghts free but this year when an ap-
pAcatlon was made by G. A. Allen, who
manages the attractions for the park,
with a refusal. He asked for current
Tor a moving picture show but this was
also refused. although he was willing
to pay the regular rates.
Garfield park is the oldest pleasure
resort in Topeka. It is beautifully
wooded and it's accessibility from all
parts OF the city always made it popu-
lar. 1t is one Of North Topeka's beau
tlrul attractions and the North side en-
terpr1ses need encouragement now, IL
they ever needed it. The features of
CARRIED seem to make the owners of
Vinewood fearful of it's rivalry and
rather than let this occur they seem to
prefer to throw obstacles in the way
of making the city park attractive.
Vinewood is beautiful place and
ber of Topeka resorts but this method
Of treatment accorded to a public city
park by the Vinewood park owners or
their alleged interests, is not likely to
gain those corporations friends.
G. A. Allen, who was granted some
board of park commissioners tells of
the refusal of the Edison company and
the Topeka Street Railway company.
it's partner in interests, to furnish him
~x-sk l. IL Il If<~lX ar =
application to the Edison company for
lighting Garfield park and was told to
return in day or two and they would
give me their rates on my return. I
was thereafter informed by Mr.. Hunt
ington, superintendent, that I would
have to make my own installation from
Park and Van Buren street, nine blocks
from the park, and that 1t would cost
in the neighborhood of $3.50 or $500. This
would include telegraph poles and wir-
ing to the park only and of course in
stallation of the park alone would cost
me half as much. I told Mr.. Hunting
ton that as they furnished the city with
power for lighting Kansas avenue with
in two blocks of the park I could not
see why should have to pay for nine
blocks of installation.
His answer was that they did not
have sufficient current that far and as
the park season was short it would not
pay them to make the installation. He
then referred me to Mr.. Patten, sup
erintendent of the Street Railway COM
pany, stating that they had always
furnished the power for lighting the
park and no doubt I could make ar
rangements with them.
After calling on Mr.. Patten was
informed by him that the street rail-
way company could not think Of fur
nishing power as they did not have
any to spare. I told him 1t seemed
queer that after furnishing the park
lights for the past fifteen years they
could not do SO now He said that
they had agreed to furnish lights for
the Chautauqua and that would be all
they could do.
After finding the street car COM
pany would not furnish light and that
the Edison company's proposition was
too expensive was compelled to put
in gasoline arc lights. Garfield park
is well situated. and especially Tor
strangers wishing to spend few min
utes before train time. The park is
well lighted now and there is band
concert given Thursday evening as
well as Sunday afternoon and evening.
The admission is always free"
Considerable complaint has been
made by North Topeka people who
subscribed money towards the Chau-
tauqua meeting this summer who were
told by the people back of the move
ment that it would be held at Gar
field. Instead, after securing the mon
ey the Chautauqua management re-
considered and will now hold those
meetings at Vinewood. The park was
offered free, lights free and band con-
certs free to the Chautauqua for the
two weeks which it would be in ses-
sion-
A big picnic of all Of the union trade
forces of Topeka will be held at Gar
field on the Fourth of July. The To-
neka Trades Council and the Farmers
Co-operative union have designated
Garfield park as their picnic grounds
with a full programme Of sports to
lend zest to the days enjoyment. Two
band concerts will be given, the usual
speeches will be made. The admission
will be free to the public.