The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-31
If People Favor Plan Quarters
May Be Built.
MANY ARE IN FAVOR OF IT
Hundreds Telephone Their
Ideas to Mayor Billiard.
Commissioner Miller Would
Have Site Near City Hall.

Mayor Billiard believes that the city
of Topeka should rent curb line space
or build only temporary sheds for the
test of a public market before any at
tempt is made to vote bonds for an
expensive market structure, as is be-
ing done in other towns.
The mayor stated this afternoon
that as soon as the weather opened he
believed the city would rent curp
space to producers all over the sur
rounding territory. Probably TINS
space woulG be distributed in different
parts of the city that everyone would
have chance to patronize the market
Then if it is a success the mayor is
of the opinion that the city would pc
in a position to vote bonds and erect
permanent market on some centrally
located corner.
If the expressions received at the
CITY hall concerning the proposed city
market place are representative of the
general sentiment in Topeka, the
board of commissioners Will be tempt
ed to vote Immediately for a special
election on the bonds to build the
market before spring. Since the an
nouncement of the plan originated by
Commissioner Miller in the state
Journal last evening, hundreds OF per-
sons have telephoned their approval
to the office of Mayor Billiard and to
the commissioner in charge.
Feel Public Pulse.
The board of city commissioners will
not vote on the special election until
they feel the public pulse. The first
day has been f1attering. Working men
and office men alike have made known
their ideas on the proposition-and all
seem willing to vote bonds and make
a trial of the public market
Eventually the commissioners may
submit the question of the purchase Ct
a good centrally located corner down
town and build permanent buildings for
the use of the open marketers and the
public. Concrete structures covering
a concrete f1oored half a block of terri
tory is their PLAN. Commissioner Miller
believes that the corner opposite the
city hall to the nort1l-at Seventh and
Quincy streets-is the best place for the
permanent location of the public mar
ket
Mayor Billiard believes that this
spring and summer will be a good time
to make a test of the plan. 1t is his
idea to either build a number of frame
sheds on a good corner and give space
| to all farmers and others who wish to
place their goods before the buyers, or
sections of the city and conduct the
first few weeks of the plan out of
doors.
Take the prices on necessities at
this time" commented Commissioner
Miller this afternoon For instance
the people of Topeka are paying 40
cents a dozen for eggs, 40 cents a
pound for butter, 40 cents a peck for
potatoes and apples way out of sight.
| The average laboring man can't pay
this price. 1t is prohibitive- With an
| open market we could reduce these
| prices. Farmers, dairymen and others
could bring these commodities to us
for a much less price. We could have
meat at a much better price than we
pay for it now. I think the laboring
| classes are demanding a market
The commissioners at their meeting
| Tuesday afternoon left blank the cost
of the market in the resolution intro
| duced by Commissioner Miller. 1t was
announced in the State Journal at
! 100000. This was the plan. But the
city officials will leave it open to the
people When the time arrives to vote
the bonds a price will be fixed. but it is
doubtful if the people are ready to vote
such an enormous sum for the pur-
pose