The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-30
ToPEKA,s GROWTH.

that figures never lie. 1t has been
proven, however, that this is not an
exact truth. Figures can be so clever
ly manipulated that they can be made
to convey rather outrageous false
hoods. But there is one class of fig
ures that can be depended upon as be-
ing certain index of the material
and substantial growth of a city and of
the prosperous conditions prevailing
among it's Inhabitants. These are the
ones which tell of the money that is
expended each year in the erection of
new buildings in a town and in the
Improvement and enlargement of ex-
listing structures.
These figures for Topeka show that
during the past twelve months the
monetary cost of the new buildings
and improvements to old ones which
have been planned, much of which
work has been completed and all of
which is in progress. almost reaches a
total of one million dollars, $944,677 to
be exact. No better evidence can be
adduced of the era of great prosperity
which the people of this city are en-
joying, or of the excellent growth that
the city itself is experiencing. large
portion of this sum has gone or is go
ing into new residences. New resi-
dences would not be needed on such a
large scale if the population of the city
was not steadily increasing. 1t is
plainly apparent that old residences
are not being deserted for new ones
because the number of houses for rent
in the city is comparatively small.
The new houses are being built to
make room for the new people who
are coming in a steady flow to make
Topeka their home. The building op-
erations, though are not confined to
new residences, by any means.
The most notable structure compile
ted during the year is the Capper
building, a classic and beautiful five
story structure at Eighth and Jackson,
erected by Arthur Capper at cost of
about 100000, as the home of the To-
peka Capital, the Mail and Breeze, the
Missouri Valley Farmer. Poultry Jour
nal, Household, Mail Printing and Pub
fishing concern and Capper Engraving
company. Newspapers are prosperous
in growing cities.
A large new school house is
being added to the already large num-
Der of adequate structures of this kind
in the town. Another hospital of con-
siderable size is being built to take
its place alongside the four hospitals
already in the city. Engagements are
being made to churches, new business
buildings are in the making, enlarge
ments are being made to manufactur-
ing plants In fact. there has been
building activity in all lines, and sure
" little, if any of it would have been
undertaken if the city was not grow
ing in all ways.
So Topekans may well look with
pardonable pride on the record that
has been made in this regard in the
capital city of the state during the
past twelve months. 1t bespeaks well
of their energy and the prosperity that
has resulted from it. Better than all
these things, though, are the evidences
that conditions of this sort are to con-
tinue during the months to come.
These things are but natural. Topeka,
with her many advantages in all direc-
tions, was bound to grow and develop
and she will keep right on doing so
for many years to come. AS it is i'm
possible to keep a good, strong man
down for any length of time, so is it
impossible to retard the growth and
development of a city such as Topeka
in whose population are SO many good
and strong men.