The Topeka state journal., 1908-06-20
NOW IS The TIME
Advantages Of Building a Home
in Topeka This Summer.
During the Lull Between Rush
Of Spring and Fall.
WILL COST MUCH LESS.
All Building Material Is 25 Per
Cent Lower Than Last Year,
Lumber and Money Are Cheap
er-Pr0mise of Prosperity.
WILL COST MUCH LESS.
Money Is Cheaper.

good. coming SO soon after the money
shortage and shrinkage the first OF the
year.
Topeka Prosperity.
Topeka has enjoyed a healthy ac-
tiv1ty and growth all through the
spring and early summer. The build
ing permits for the past three months
make a splendid showing, and most Of
them are for houses Of the better
class in the residence districts. Down
town most of the work is confined to
finishing up the many big buildings
started late last fall and remodeling
many of the old buildings. Times
have been good here. trade active.
money plentiful and real estate prices
remained high and firm. Many new
people are coming in and good deal
of property Is changing hands.
Flood Did Not Hurt.
The flood came along last week and
the actual damage was slight and the
effects of the blow will soon pass
away. The railroads will have their
trains back on schedules next week
and by that time business. on an aver
age. will have resumed its normal
condition in this city.
Signs of the Times
The signs are quick to point to
trouble. Hard times. like a storm.
give evidence Of approach to the
business barometer. Causes mark the
way like mile posts to business de-
preston. AT present there Is nothing
in the present conditions in this Sec
ton of the state to cause apprehen-
sion from any person, capitalist. mer-
chant, prospective investor or builder.
This city, under adverse conditions the
first Of the year. has forged ahead at
splendid rate Its gains have been
along substantial lines. Our prosper
ity has been generous but not feverish.
The growth of the city and increase in
wealth and values have been steady.
Great Improvements.
When the Improvements of the past
six or eight months are placed to-
gether they show a surprising total
The Bank of Topeka building. the
Elks' home, the New National and the
Capital building. these four alone
lion dollars. Then in the residence
section there are five or six practically
new additions. In Westlawn. alone SO
houses. each one costing at least
$4,000 to $1,000 have been built. Then
there are Highland Park, Chubbs' ad-
dition, Walnut Park and College place.
being built up, and Kenwood beauti-
fed, all at a surprisingly great rate.
A trip out to any OF these suburbs is
worth while. The new houses are all
of the better class. many of them be-
ing handsome and modern residences
Of two stories. Fine lawns are being
laid out, rows of trees planted and
parkings put in.
Real Estate Values.
It is in the very nature of things
crease the value of all the real estate
in the city. Empty houses to rent are
at a premium. 1t Is as hard to ind
such a house now as it was early In
and architects and contractors are
cheerful. There is not a city In the
country where so few workingmen in
every line are idle.
The bankers sit with their fingers
on the pulse of business and yet each
one Of them declare that times were
never better in this city. not even last
year, the banner year of the state.
There Is on deposit now in the Topeka
banks about $6,950,000. This is q
splendid showing for prosperity.
Building Materials Are Cheaper.
Now that the spring rush has passed
and summer conditions are In such
fine shape there was never better
chance than right now for the Topeka
man to make that wtsest OF invest
ments-build a home in good and
growing city. It brings more happi-
ness than Santa Claus and Is as safe
an investment as government bonds.
For the past three years there has
been cry Of high prices on all kinds
Of building material throughout the
especially skilled labor. But this sum-
mer the word has gone out that lum-
Der is cheaper, that it is 81 to Sc less
on the thousand feet. In building a
good house this item alone will
amount to several hundred dollars.
Every one knows that 1t is easier to
get good carpenters, brtcklayers,
painters, plasterers and unskilled labor
than it was last summer. While
wages have not decreased so much.
vet one does not now have to pay top
prices for inferior or slow workmen-
An Illustration
A man who has been figuring on
building $4,000 house is responsible
| for the statement that he can now save
| 81, 900 on masonry, grading, plastering
plumbing. heating and painting over
the same class of work and material
at this time last year. Add to this a
saving of $500 on lumber and 1t is easy
builder of this year has over the man
who built a house last year. and a
great many were built here In 1907.
Future Looks Good.
AS to what the conditions will be In
| 1909 no one can say with certainty, bur
everything points to a great improve
ment all along the line after the crops
are harvested next fall Business viii
resume it's full volume next winter and
with the renewal Of activity the prices
of labor and material will advance. II
! is Just at this time that the warehouses
! and lumber yards are stocked full. A
| temporary lull in business activity Is
always followed by rush in all lines
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