The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-11
Commercial Club Endorses
Southwestern Project.
Plan of Finance Committee For
mally Ratified.
NEW FACES ARE SEEN
Men Who Express Their VIII
iDgness to Help.
May Sell Bonds in Smaller
Amounts.

For the first time In the history VI
the enterprise the Commercial CLUB en-
dorsed the Topeka & southwestern
railway project at the mass meeting
held last night by adopting the tollo"-
ing resolution:
Whereas, The Topeka Southwestern
Railway company has asked the cll-
gems of Topeka and Shawnee county TO
subscribe for a few thousands OF It's
first mortgage bonds at par, the pro-
ceeds from the sale of these bonds to
be used in acquiring the right OF way
for the railroad from the city of To-
peka to the west line of Shawnee coun-
ty: and
''Whereas Some of the most substan-
tial business men of our city have. af-
ter a careful investigation. Endorsed the
plans and arrangements pertaining TO
the financing and building of this rail-
road: and
'sWhereas The Topeka Commercial
club has always been and is now, will
ing to give both it's moral and financial
support, to any meritorious enterprise
which will aid in the upbuilding of our
great city; and i
"Whereas, The securing of a railroad
from our city to Council Grove will
be the greatest achievement, of the
Topeka Commercial club 81 nee the Sc
curing of the Santa F'e shops; therefore,
be it
.'Resolved. That the members of the
Topeka Commercial club in a special
meeting assembled, do hereby indorse.
ratify and approve the plan adopted
by the finance committee of the rail-
way company, for the securing OF tho
required right of way and urge that
the members of this club and other
business men of Topeka and Shawnee
county, give their financial assistance
TO the committee by subscribing for the
railway bonds: and. be it further
Resolved, That the secretary OF this
club be, and is hereby directed to cause
this resolution to be printed and
copy mailed to each member OF this
club and that extra copies be furnish
ed to the finance committee for gen.
eral distribution"
Last nights meeting was better at
tended than it's predecessors and a
number of new faces were to be seen
in the gathering and something akin
to enthusiasm was aroused by the
talks of those who participated. Rob-
ert Pierce vice president of the Com
mercial club presided at the meeting
and offered to assist in furthering the
Topeka and Southwestern project in
every possible way.
number of meetings of the finance
committee of the road and of the
board of directors of the Commercial
club will be held during the day at
which an attempt will be made to de-
wise means for raising the required
cash for the railroad construction
work 1t seems to be the opinion that
the present committee which has done
splendid work should be enlarged and
that subscriptions in smaller amounts
should be solicited.
Several of the speakers at the meet
ing last night who have not been
heard before expressed their conf
dence In the enterprise and asked to
be permitted to assist by subscribing
for small sums; one or two hundred
dollars. The committee will in all
probability be enlarged to fifteen or
twenty members and a thorough can
vass of the city made for subscriptions
in smaller amounts
John F. Carter, secretary of the
Aetna Building and Loan association
was one of the new converts to the
railroad who spoke enthusiastically on
the proposition and offered to take one
or two hundred dollars worth of bonds
IL such an arrangement can be made.
w. II. Kemper, who has not been
identified with the project also spoke
encouragingly and offered to subscribe
for bonds in case they can be secured
in sums of less than $500.
Numerous short talks were made by
the members of the finance commit
tee. Peter He'll talked most encour-
aRingly of the project from the stand
noint of a farmer along the line of the
I,roposed road. Everybody along the
line wants to see 1t built" said Mr..
Hell. "They are hungry for II and
want to see work commenced as soon
as possible"
aid in the construction in a financial
vay but l have shown my faith in the
value of the project by donating the
right of way through my farm which
is badly mutilated as the road enters
at one corner and leaves at another,
cutting the farm in two diagonally.
we have some knockers along the line
but not many of them. Then we have
a class, though 1t is small in numbers,
Who figure that the road will be con-
structed whether they help or not, and
thew will reap the benefits. That is
what seems to be the matter right
here in Topeka to a large extent. Men
and merchants who appreciate the
value of the road - the city feel that
n is bound to come and are waiting
to receive the benefits without exert
ing themselves to secure 1t. I figure
that the value of my land will be in
creased 20 per cent II the line is built
even though my farm is badly mutt
lated on account of the road crossing
~ IN the way il does. Other farms
r~bich are not crossed but are adjacent
will receive greater benefits and will
be enhanced in value much more than
mine"
The Commercial club will not take
sano" from Mr.. Crosby who has been
selected as president of the club to
succeed Mr.. Jensen and will make an
attempt to have him accept the presi-
dency. Several members of the club
spoke on the eternal fitness of the Sc
lection last night and passed numerous
American beauty bouquets of oratory
at Mr.. Crosby.
II Mr.. Crosby can not be prevailed upon
to accept the place meeting of the board
of directors will later make another at
tempt to fill the vacancy and 1t looks like
j. w. Robinson will be the choice this
time. This is busy day for the mem
bers of the board of directors and the
Commercial club and the finance COM
mittee of the Topeka and Southwestern
railway and something will probably hap
ren which will clinch the project of an