The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-13
A Real Harmony Visit-That of
Rock Island Officials.
Topeka Made No Business Motive
of Meeting.
BROUGHT GOLF buds.
President Nudge and Party Pre-
pared for Fun.
Other Items of General Inter-
est in Traffic World.

A world of good was accomplished
by the meeting Tuesday between the
president and his staff of the Rock
Island Lines and the members of the
Topeka Commercial club. Not that
the spirit of the harmony gathering"
was selfish-far from that-but it was
one Of the signals of future under
standing and mutual benefit between
the officials and the city.
The Topeka commercial interests
didn't invite President Nudge to a din
ner in order that during the course of
the banquet he might offer to this city
the La Sale street offices, the Horton
shops or the Kansas City terminals.
The dinner was not given to serve as
q pavement for future requests.
1t was planned for the purpose OF
getting acquainted" For the purpose
of thanking the Rock Island for the
general offices established here and for
the favors of the past. And then-1n
the course Of this national discussion
on the freight rate proposition and
railroad legislation-the Topeka bust
ness men have felt that arguments from
the other side" would be acceptable
That the meeting was a success is
eVident-the Topeka business men de-
clare it was one of the best parties"
they have given and before President
Nudge and his party left for Chicago
they assured their own local officials
that it was one Of the most enthusiast
tic and gratifying meetings they have
attended.
It is only in the last few years that
a meeting of this kind would be made
possible When it is considered that
the president Of the Rock Island Lines
and the heads of the passenger, operat-
ing. legal and freight departments left
their busy offices in Chicago and came
nearly 600 miles for a one evenings en-
tertainment in Topeka, there remains
no doubt as to the new feeling between
the railroads and the people.
ut r,r Hylcy I,n1d THrIfh
absolutely no mention of future favors
when there was no motive other than
that of getting acquainted and pro
noting harmOny-another block signal
of modern public sentiment is dropped.
The officials of the Rock Island didn't
come to Topeka preparing to argue the
rate question or put down the leg1sla-
ton heterogeneous. When called upon
they gave their side Of the question
# is true.
They came for something else-and
here is a secret-they brought their
golf clothes and their golf clubs along
with them! And after an afternoon of
recreation on the Country club links
in the bright sunshine and the exhil-
arating Kansas atmosphere, they were
rushed to their cars where they changed
their golf clothes and prepared for a
big old-fashioned Kansas feast.
Tuesday was a wrtnkle-smoother day
for the officials of the Rock Island.
Without a business telegram to bother
them, without an Office full of serious
callers and without fear Of rise or
fall in stocks these men swatted lit
tie white golf ball all over the dog
tooth violets.
And in the course of their speeches
Tuesday night, three of these officials
declared that when they were through
with their railroad work they would
move their families to Topeka and
spend the rest of their days here.
As a matter of fact-Topeka doesn't
care one bit If the Rock Island Off
cials move to Topeka tomorrow-and
bring their railroad work with them.