The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-14

''Ihe commercial cluD must IOT the
most part crystalline and voice the en-
thusiasm and the character of the peo-
pie of this city. Our natural advan-
tages, megaphoned through the Com
mercial club, are responsible for the
new life, the vigor, and the advance
ment manifest in the city from year to
year.
THE Commercial club accomplishes
a tremendous amount of advertising
and direct benefit which is not appar-
ent on the surface. Daily, dozens of
letters are received from all parts of
the United States. The writers want
statistics of our population, prices of
real estate. extent of grain shipments.
amount of banking capital, rates of
taxation, data regarding manufacture
ing plants, figures on building opera
tions, wages of skilled and unskilled
labor, the amount of labor of various
kinds available, etc. We have told
them. To just what extent the labor
and energy so expended results in ben
eft to the city, is not known and can
not be calculated.
State Fair Achievement.
Fully ninety-five per cent of the
opportunities to locate factories and
manufacturing enterprises are such as
require financing in full, with requests
for free fuel, free sites, etc. Every re-
quest for an audience must be needed.
This requires time and great~deal of
it.
Il feel that this club could well af-
ford, if necessary, to rest its record
for the past year, on the part it play
ed in esta blishing the commission form
of government and in establishing the
state fair.
The commission form of city gov
eminent has given Topeka distinction
as an up-to-date, progressive city. 1t
is probable that this club receives
,fxfn pfJi in
eminent, it's organization. its benefits,
etc, than regarding any other one
thing. While new, certainly at this
stage, government by commission in
dictates very great promise in the eff
fcient and economical handling of the
city's business.
THE benefits resulting to Topeka
from the establishing of a state agri-
cultural fair. are apparent. Yet this
club has been Instrumental in helping
to establish only the nucleus for a
great fair. It will require persistent
effort, years of development and a
faithful and strict adherence to duty
on the part of this club and the peo-
pie of Topeka, to reach the ultimate
and final degree of success in this I'M
dertaking. But, the result will be we'll
worth the effort Topeka can not be
so well advertised by any other one
means as by having a fair command
ing the attention of the agricultural
world.
am the past year, very largely
through the efforts of this club, To-
peka has entertained more conven-
tions and probably a larger number of
visitors than in any previous year. It
is possible to make Topeka the con-
vention city of Kansas. 1t should be-
Conventions advertise the town We
should have all We can get. Our ar
engagements whereby these conventions
can be secured should be reinforced
and made just as strong and effective
as possible.
The convention committee should
De a live one and its expenses in at
tendance upon conventions represent
ing Topeka's interests, should be paid
from the clubs treasury. A number
or good conventions to meet in Topeka
this year, are booked and a part of the
arrangements made.
Must Advertise Topeka.
I'VE must advertise Topeka we'll.
Topeka has lots to sell, factory sites
to be built upon, houses and stores to
rent and sell The shelves of this
municipal warehouse are loaded with
advantages. In the modern DAYS of
Keen competition between cities. it is
necessary that We let the world know
what we have. This club should be
prepared to do that advertising. We
should have a we'll organized publicity
bureau: l am told that some cities
maintain such bureau out of the gem.
eraI revenue tax fund, spending as
i n nls as SLY annually for every in
haoltant of the city. Topeka should
nave bureau of this kind and should
spend at the beginning not less than
$1,000 per annum in publicity.
Plans are now under way for a
great White Way for Kansas avenue
ana TINS should be backed to a sue
cess1ul conclusion. This will be a big
ad Tor the city. The use of electricity
In city's advertising is becoming
more and more a factor.
Under consideration now is the
establishing of a charita Bile indorse-
ment committee. a work which would
standardize and legalize all city chart
ties, and which when fully understood,
will commend itself to every citizen.
"A committee of this club is now
engaged in an investigation which
points to the conservation of Kansa =
supply of natural gas. This commit
tee is to work with the commercial
organizations of other towns in an eff
fort to prevent the waste of gas and
conserve 1t as far as possible for do
nestle use.
This club now has a committee com
posed Of 7. Will Kelley, George w.
Crane and John Purcell to investigate
the possibility of purchasing the plant
Of the Smith Automobile company
which will go to the highest bidder at
'HAC JdlOdTy ~ unless Inat sale date
is Tor some reason or other deferred.
This committee has in its hands a mat
ter of great Importance and action must
be taken quickly.
In July this club did everything pos
able to bring Mr.. Wernicke and Topeka
capitalists together but without results.
Since that time other efforts have failed
to get this plant assured for Topeka
and we at this date have one other
opportunity. This comes through Mr.
E. l. Whitney, who has high hopes
but who needs the moral support and
backing of this club.
Much Yet to Be Done.
The maximum of possibilities of this
club for the upbuilding of Topeka has
scarcely been approached. The benefits
which can accrue to Topeka through
this organization can be realized only
by that man who has had chance to
know the opportunity. The presidents
of the club. the members of the boards
of directors. the heads of committees
he