The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-12

of the traffic association department
composed of the jobbers and manu-
facturers in the Chamber OF Com
nlerce. A rate Of 274a cents on 100
pounds, lower than the rates from New
York to Kansas City-in the rates from
New York to Oklahoma City were pro-
cured by this association. one OF the
biggest accomplishments was the re-
duction of coal rates which made
great difference to the manufacturers
and was responsible for many firms
locating in this city. The story OF how
Kansas City attempted to boycott
the roads in this deal was reviewed
with much ridicule by the speaker.
A weekly publication issued by the
Retailers Observation-Disclosures depart
ment of the Chamber of Commerce was
discussed at length. This publication
gives the names of all the men who
have asked for credit, those who are
skipping their bills, all of the good and
bad customers, new persons applying
for credit, the dealings of the week and
everything possible of interest to the
retailers of the city. The names of all
the out OF town buyers are given and
they are kept in continual touch with
the business men of the city. They
have an elaborate rebate system
similar to that adopted by the Iopeka
business men.
Mr.. McKeand finished his excellent
talk by telling of the trips taken by the
big Getting Acquainted train and
told some interesting experiences OF
the trip. 1t cost each man who went
$49.75. This looked rather good to the
Topeka men. Oklahoma City also has
few days in which the people over
the surrounding country are invited to
the city and shown a good time He
told considerable about the state fair
held by the city. This excited the in
| terest of the listeners who have all
worked hard for a. Kansas state fair.
On Seeing Topeka Trip.
| Mr.. McKeand was taken on an auto
mobile ride through the city this
morning by Charles p Adams, nom
orary secretary of the club, Roy Bone,
| honorary secretary, w. c. Stephenson,
vice president and Frank P. MacLen-
| nan. These gentlemen spent the whole
morning with Mr.. McKeand and every
| place of interest in the city was visit
ed. Mr.. McKeand spent the rest Of
! the morning visiting the office or the
| State Journal.
To say that the lively secretary from
| Oklahoma City was pleased with To-
peka would be stating 1t calmly He
| could hardly express himself at the
| beauty of the city and her institutions
| at don't believe L have ever visited
such beautiful city in all my life.
| exclaimed the Oklahoma man, while
| the car was speeding out through Pot
| win. 1.-THE broad avenues, the wide,
shaded parkings and the miles and
miles of paving-it must be an ex-
| cerent place to live and the gentle
men in the car, with their beautlfui,
comfortable homes were glad to agree
with him. At Washburn college the
| campus is at it's best and MI Nc
| Keand was impressed with the pros
porous look of the college grounds and
the groups of students in every shady
nook.
! After the ride over the city the
party accompanied Mr. Mckeand TO
4 the city hall and auditorium. Topeka
is proud of her auditorium-this is
natural when such visitors as Mr..
Mr.. McKeand wonder at its size and
capacity-and the mammoth pipe
organ. Mayor Green was visited III
his Office and the courtesies OF the
two cities-Oklahoma City and To-
! peka-were exchanged.
Later Mr.. McKeand was taken K
| the Commercial club rooms in tbs
Commercial building He was great,
surprised at the furnishings of th'
: rooms and stated to the member
, | with him that the Oklahoma Cit.
! organization did not have accom-
uodations to compare with the Ella
borately furnished Topeka rooms.