The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-28

since the Punishment of the saloon and
adoption of prohibition The records
of the state bank commissioner anG
the comptroller of the federal treas
ury, which 7 have with me, show thai
in ten years deposits in Kansas banks
have increased from $69.000.0O0 to
$3.50, 100000 and during the past ter
lyearS under a more rigid enforcement
of the law, bank deposits, per capita,
| complete prohibition became effective
| May, 1909. bank deposits have in
creased $11,0OO,00O.
Three years ago open saloons were
| abolished in Wichita. Since then the
weekly clearances have increased from
100000 to $3,20O,000 last week.
/ There were 1900 new houses built in
Wichita last year and was told there
| the other day that there are now 500
new houses and 100000 in public
| improvements in process of conStruc-
| ton. According to latest estimates,
its population has increased in the
past three years from 3 900 to $4,000
inhabitants. The story of the growth
and prosperity of Wichita is the story
of general business. conditions in
Kansas.
In the chief city of the state, kan
sas City, Kan, the change from a
wet to ''dry" policy worked won
! ders in business prosperity. dimtnu-
ton Of crime and corresponding social
! pIOSIGSS.
Some years ago Carrie Nation pur-
chased and donated to the Associated
| Charities home for drunkards' wives.
During the era preceding the closing
full to overlooking. Within about a
year after the joints were closed there
was not an inmate and it has now
been converted into a school for girls.
Mayor Green ON Topeka.
The story is the same everywhere.
of mr. q md
contentment is universal in Kansas.
Here is a statement from the mayor of
Topeka, a city of $4,000 people:
Topeka, Kan, March 81, 1910.
"Hon. w. r. Stubs. Governor.
Dear Sir: The prohibitory laws are
rigidly enforced in the capital city, and
the result therefrom is very gratifying
to all. 1t has lifted Topeka onto
higher plane, both morally and COM
mercially. 1t goes without saying that
to stop the sale of booze lessons crime,
misery, and poverty. That fact is
demonstrated very clearly in Topeka;
business is better. retailers especially,
are doing a larger and safer business;
the thousands of dollars that formerly
went to the till of the jointist, now goes
to the grocer the clothier, and the
shoeman. The same blow that killed
Mr.. Booze in Topeka, also killed -Mr.
Gambling House, Mrs. Disorderly
House, and all other cooperating
cussedness. We have less crime. less
levy for city purposes is only $3.50 on
one thousand dollars. I venture the
assumption that not saloon town in
the country, the size of Topeka, with
all their booze blood money, can show
as low levy; and, we live within our
means-our expenses are less than our
income by thousands; We have every
thing that any first class city should
have; every department is efficient, and
no niggardly scrimping is observed to
save money at the expense of good SER
vice. Real estate values are climbing
the Golden Stairs, steadily and perma-
nently; every section of the city that
was b1ighted by the presence of Dens
of Vice (the blight having been re-
moved), are now respectable, and
much more valuable. Topeka has new
err witnessed such building boom, |
both for homes and for business build |
ings and we nave fewer vacant houses.
with our enforced prohibition, To-
peka is a better city to live in, and to
WILLIAM GREEN,
Mayor of Topeka"
Helps Credit of State.
Sixth-Prohibition has worked won |
ders in the private credit of the state. |
Growers and butchers tell me that men
who were '-deadbeats" under the drain |
Of the saloons have become debtors of
and standing, and bad &C |
counts are a rarity. Garnishment cases
have practically disappeared from the /
courts.
A striking instance of this fact is the
experience of Kansas City, Kansas,
where previous to the rigid enforce
ment of the prohibitory low there was
a garnishment court running from
till night levying upon the |
wages of the laboring men of that city.
Within 80 days after the adjustment
Of the saloon this court went out of
business and there never has been any |
need for it since.
Seventh assert that the charge of
higher public expenses on account of
is particularly untrue. A
bulletin issued by the census depart
ment makes a really wonderful revela-
ton in favor of prohibition. 1t shows
that the general and special service
expenses in Wichita are 1921 per
capita, in Springfield, ILL.,, $11.8S and
IN Chicago $15.66. The same bulletin
,hoWs the cost of the police department
1t Wichita 20 be So cents per capita,
1t Springfield $1.26 and at Chicago
1854. From another authoritative
source get it that the cost of the po-
ice and militia establishment in Kan
sas is only 100000 annually while it
s $479O,O00 in Il1inois-tweIve times
heavier with only about four times as
much population.
Eighth-During the last decade the
.axable property of the state has in
creased $12O,000,000 annually, aggre-
rating an increase of $1,000, 100000 in
en- years. Ten years ago our proper
" was taxed or a rs per cent basis,
amounting TO S327, IA, 900, which in
Heated totaI valuation of all taxable
zskszs1z-zs
z