The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-02
FROM OTHER PENS
R1rup1NG or c1rIEs.

The conferences of national interests
on the subject of the building of cities,
at Washington. has taken up a big
subject Just what progress it can
mains to be SEEM We all realize that
almost no cities are built as they
should be. Almost no cities are built
in circumstances that will permit them
exceptions are cities like Gary, Ind,
which the steel trust is said to be
making a model city, and which is
built from nothing to full grown COM
munity at once. Most cities are mere
iy matter of growth. They have small
beginnings, and as the community
grows it provides for it's immediate
needs as they arise. The small COM
munity cannot afford to look very far
ahead. A comparatively few years at
the most is all that can be considered.
So when the community outgrows the
needs for which it provided few years
before, it has simply to do the work
over again on a little larger scale.
| If the modern city could be planned
and built at the outset on scale which
would probably provide for its needs
many years ahead, then it would avoid
many of the evils from which the av-
erage city suffers. And it could safe
guard it's own rights and have the en-
| joyment of many improved conditions
which would be very difficult and very
costly to obtain at the present time
Buffalo Express.
E. o.
| SOLDIERS AS SERVANTS.
| Much twaddle is being published
these days over the order of Gen.
Leonard Wood prohibiting enlisted men
| in the army from serving as strlk-
ers.'' The order has been hailed by
many publications as new emancl-
patton proclamation, relieving the en-
listed man from serfdom under the
army officers. General Wood lent some
color to this impression by declaring
that the work of striker" was be-
meath the dignity of an American SOL
der, and some more equally cheap
buncombe along that line.
The striker" it may be explained
for the benefit of civilians not familiar
with army life, is an enlisted man pick
ed by an officer to work about his quar-
ters His duties are varied. He may
aid in the kitchen, the stables, the
nursery or wherever domestic duty
calls. Usually, he is chosen by rea-
| son of his general hardness. Possibly
this is not uplifting work for man,
but it is preferable to the dull monotony
of barracks life, partic LARRY as the
strikers" are paid and make quite as
much for this extra service as they
draw for soldiering.-St. Paul Dispatch.
THE WEST IN POLITICS.
A few years ago the east was all
powerful, financially and politically.
New York alone dominated the country.
Farmers and manufacturers were de-
pendent upon Wall street. POLITICAL
parties could not succeed without the
Support OF the Empire state.
But times have changed. New York
is no longer the nations sole banker.
Financially, the west is measurably in
dependent. Its rapid growth in pop
ulation has increased its representation
and power in congress and the cleo
toral college. Men, strong in intellect
and force of character, represent her
| in the halls of national legislation.
Five of the present cabinet have their
homes west of Chicago. Western inter-
ests are mighty and vital.
The people of the west have no con-
hict with the east, and no desire to
pit section against section. Such a
lpolicy would be suicidal and silly. But
the west has fairly earned the right to
be heard. Financially and politically
it need no longer be dependent and
subservient. Its reasonable demands
must not be ignored. Statesmen who
expect to remain in public life must
keep in sympathetic touch with the
lgrowing and mighty west.-Milwaukee
Seminal