The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-12
The PIPE ORGAN.
movement to Get More Out
10 fopularize the Great Instru.
ment Which Has
No EQUAL NEAR US.
Few Cities Can Offer Such an
Attraction.
Effort to Control Entire Indebf.
ednass at Home.
70 EQUAL NEAR US.

Inc relation of Topeka to the parties
VINO sold the big pipe organ now in the
AUDITORIUM is not creditable to the peo-
pie of the city nor satisfactory to the
hrm from which the organ was pur-
chased
Inc great organ is probably a bigger
thing to this city than the majority Of
ner people realize. More in its praise
Is heard from outsiders who live in diff
ferent portions of Kansas and of the
country who come here to our conyen-
tlons and gatherings than as a rule.
is heard from our own people
AT the recent assemblies in the Audi
torlum on the occasion of the Demo-
cratic meetings and the Republican con-
ventlon. the wonderful organ was
greatly appreciated and applauded and
lts music was an attractive feature
Arrangements are on foot to provide
numerous free entertainments at ths
Auditorium; to provide amusement for
the citizens and to popularize the
unique instrument which is without an
equal between Chicago and Salt Lake
City.
The original cost of the organ was
s12.250- Additional expense in the way
or installation, insurance. etc, has in
creased this about $2.750. Interest has
added to this about $1,000. making the
total expense on account of the organ
about $16,500. OF this amount 50. 900 re-
mains unpaid and is owing to the Kim
ball company. About half of this Is
past due.
The organ was secured at a great
bargain Its installation three years
ago was preceded by such rivalry that
the successful firm instructed its rep
resentatives to put the organ in regard
less OF concessions in price. A prac-
tical duplicate of the Topeka organ has
been since placed in Minneapolis fer
| $4,000.
Il the company enforced it's claims
now it could take out the organ This
| is contingency which Is staring the
city in the face and whose execution
would reflect lasting humiliation upon
the town. Originally it was provided
| that $4,000 should be paid annually
until the balance of the debt was can
| celled. This seemed an easy matter
| to do out of entertainments for the
reason that once upon a time out Of
| one entertainment at the auditorium,
| the first Nordfca concert. resulted a
years since the entertainments have
actually lost money.
Whatever may be said about the
| lack of expected financial results
from the entertainments given by the
Pipe Organ association one thing Is
4
brought to Topeka remarkable
| array of talent. which our people
have been able to enjoy oft times at
/ prices from one-half to one-fourth
paid in other cities for the same at
| fractions. Among these entertain
| ments may be mentioned off hand.
Nordica two concerts. Melba,
Schumann-Heinck, Gadski, Bern
hardt. Paderewski. famous bands,
lecturers. organists. and scores OF
others of more or less note at popular
prices.
There is a movement on foot now
by which 1t is hoped that a local syn
dictate composed of twenty or thirty
people may take over the entire in
debtedness to the Kimball co pany
by guaranteeing an annual payment
of say from two to three thousand
dollars until the organ is paid for, any
net proceeds from any entertainments
to reduce the amount to be paid by
the members of the guaranteeing syn
dicate; the organ when paid for to be
turned over as originally con-
templated. as gift to the city 1t fs
believed that sufficient number can
be secured who will guarantee the
payment of 500 per year each
to cover the indebtedness and hold IL
at home until 1t is completely cam
oa1IaH