The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-13
HAS. BRIGHT LOOK
Future for Commercial Club a
Busy One.
New Life Has Been Infused Into
Organization.
PRES. FERRY'S REPORT
Refers to the Proposed New
State Journal Building.
Secretary Kelley Tells of Change
in Sentiment.
PRES. FERRY'S REPORT

- hJ0A
Aside from the formal election of
members to the directorate of the
Commercial club, annual reports were
made at the business meeting Of the
club Friday night by President L. s.
Ferry and Secretary J. VIII Kelley,
and plans for the future work of the
organization discussed One 1mpor-
tant measure was the approval of a
suggestion made by W. w WEBB,
chairman of the lighting committee, to
work towards having large Topeka
electric signs put up at the santa re-
Rock Island and Union Pacific depots.
In most stations in the far west
and in some Of the eastern stations
are found large electric signs bearing
the name of the town or city. They
remain lighted only while the train
is at the station. It would be adj
vantageous as an advertising PROPOSE
ton to have signs of a similar nature
at the Santa Fe, Rock Island ana
Union Pacific stations in Topeka
TT is city proposition They
might be installed by the Commercial
club. but the city should furnish the
Juice. 1t would be a part of our white
way system. The cost while the trains
are in the city, why it would be moth
aAs the railroads have said they
would not allow signs placed along
their right of way, at the Santa F'e
sign might strung right across Fifth
street at the Rock Island station
across Jackson street, and at the Union
Pacific station across Kansas avenue.
These signs could be seen for blocks,
and would present an attractive ap-
pearance.''
Frank P MacLennan suggested that
at almost every railway station in the
United States, except Topeka, there
are prominent signs which give the
name Of the station and distance from
terminal points.
President Ferry's Report.
President L S. Ferry said in his re-
port that although at the time that
J. VIII Kelley became secretary of the
Commercial club he found that the
IN EN- bership had fallen off to a GER
tain degree, there has been much ac-
complished for the good of the city
in the past year
The report is in part as follows:
when Mr.. Kelley entered upon his
duties as secretary, he found the
mem bership of the club somewhat de-
pleted. He found that many of the
mem bers were behind in the payment
of their dues. He found an apparent
IuIl in the activities of the club. Three
years ago a reorganization had been
effected that had increased the num-
Der of members far beyond that of
any other period in its history.
The natural reaction had occurred,
and yet, while the membership had
diminished omeWhat, and there was
some apathy in our ranks, during the
club year prior to Novem Der first, the
completion of the Great White Way
one of the greatest complishments
of the club. was contaminated, and
one of the greatest state fairs ever
held in the state was successfully pro-
NOTED.
THE feature of the fair that arous-
ed the most widespread interest,
namely: The selection of a number of
young ladies from different towns in
A. 4cr17% oh Tho
suggestion of mem bers of this club
and financed by one of its auxiliary
Organizations
ssDuring the last year, the cafe has
been patronized more generously than
during any other equal period in the
history of the club; the billiard room
has been a place of recreation for
many of our members; and the club
rooms have been the center of many of
the activities that tend to advance the
general welfare of the city. Nearly
every day some committee of some or
ganization meets in our halls.
1T is difficult to estimate just ex-
nctIy what has been accom- plished dur
ing this period. Many undertakings
have not yet been accomplished Some
are in such a. stage that it would be
inexpedient to disclose them, as pub
licity at this time would thwart the
projects.
Much has been accomplished for
the welfare of the city, not only by
account of the general confidence in
the city's prosperity that is inspired by
the varied energies of a club of this
kind. Exam pies of this are the Mills
building the new Santa Fe building,
the Memorial hall, which is in the
course of construction. and the new
proposed building for the Topeka state
journal, that promises to be not only
one of the most complete. but one of
the most artistic newspaper buildings
in the west.
MANY conventions have been
brought to the city by the Comm ercial
club and induced to continue to come
by the assistance and entertainment
furnished by the club and its members
There Is Enthusiasm.
ssSince Mr.. Kelley became secretary
he has infused new energy into the
club and has aroused much enthusiasm
among its members; he has collected
many Of the unpaid dues; he has Sc
cured many new mem bers. He took a
keen interest in the matter of the au-